The Medical Department of the United States Army in the World War volume 3: Finance and Supply

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MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

IN THE WORLD WAR

REFERENCE ONLY,
VOLUME III

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF

MAJ. GEN. M. W. IRELAND

The Surgeon General

BY
COL. EDWIN P. WOLFE. M. C.
/

( 3

REFERENCE QHtf

IT. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : WASHINGTON : 1928

OTIS HISTORICAL ARCHIVES

ARMED FORCES MEDICAL MUSEUM, H I*

ADDITIONAL COPIES

OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED 7R0M

TIIE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON, D. C.

AT

$3.(10 PER COPY

LETTER OF TRANSMISSION

I have the honor to submit herewith Volume III of the history of THE
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY IN THE
WORLD AVAR. The volume submitted is entitled "Finance and Supply. - '

M. W. Ireland,
Major General, the Surgeon General.
The Secretary of Wak.

3

Lieut, Col. Frank W. Weed, M. C, Editor in Chief.
Loy McAfee, A. M., M. D., Assistant Editor in Chief.

EDITORIAL BOARD ■

Col. Bailey K. Ashford, M. C.

Col. Frank Billings, M. C.

Col. Thomas R. Boggs, M. C.

Col. George E. Brewer, M. C.

Col. W. P. Chamberlain, M. C.

Col. C. F. Craig, M. C.

Col. Haven Emerson, M. C.

Brig. Gen. John M. T. Finney, M. D.

Col. J. H. Ford, M. C.

Lieut. Col. Fielding H. Garrison, M. C.

Col. H. L. Gilchrist, M. C.

Brig. Gen. Jefferson R. Kean, M. D.

Lieut. Col. A. G. Love, M. C.

Col. Charles Lynch, M. C.

Col. James F. McKernon, M. C.

Col. S. J. Morris, M. C.

Col. R. T. Oliver, D. C.

Col. Charles R. Reynolds, M. C.

Lieut. Col. G. E. De Schweinitz, M. C.

Col. J. F. Siler, M. C.

Brig. Gen. W. S. Thayer, M. D.

Col. A. D. Tuttle, M. C.

Col. William H. Welch, M. C.

Col. E. P. Wolfe, M. C.

Lieut. Col. Casey A. Wood, M. C.

Col. Hans Zinsser, M. C.

• The highest rank held during the World War has been used in the case of each officer.
4

PREFACE*

The purpose of this volume is to record the manner in which the Medical
Department functioned as a supply department during the World War and to
give details concerning selected articles of supply. Because of the breadth
of the suhject, it is manifestly impossible to include herein all matters relating
either to the administrative features of the subject or to the supplies themselves.
Since this is the first time an attempt has been made to consider fully the his-
tory of Medical Department supplies, it is appropriate that due consideration
be given to the pre-war histoiy of supplies. More especially does this apply
to that period of time intervening between the Spanish-American War and the
World War, for it was during this interval that the Medical Department not
only brought its field equipment to a high state of efficiency but also established
for itself a reasonable reserve of such equipment. Furthermore, the supply
experiences of the Medical Department in connection with the Mexican border
mobilization of our Army (1911-1916) make a fitting prelude to any considera-
tion of World War medical supply matters, for the one merged imperceptibly
into the other.

It is to be regretted that it has been possible, through lack of space, to use
only two of the reports of activities of the medical supply depots in the United
States. The report of the New York medical supply depot was chosen as the
type depot for description, because it always has been our most important
depot and was the parent from which the others might be considered to have
sprung. While its methods of procedure may have differed in certain respects
from those of the other depots, and while it is true that some depots handled
certain classes of articles to a preponderant extent, nevertheless the account
of one of these supply depots answers present purposes very well. On the
other hand, since the motor ambulance supply depot at Louisville was the only
depot of its kind, a chapter has been devoted to it.

During war there are two distinct types of service: (a) The interior, where
the procedures and supplies conform to those in times of peace; and (b) the
theater of operations, wherein a different procedure and type of supplies must
prevail. The major portion of the volume pertains to the question of medical
supplies in the United States (the interior), and rightly, since supplies had to
be procured there not only for the Army in the United States but also for the
American Expeditionary Forces. Colonel Wolfe, who prepared this portion of
the volume, has long been identified with Army medical supplies and served

» For the purpose of the History of the Medical Department of the United States Army in the World War, the period
of war activities extends from April 6, 1917, to December 31, 1919. In the professional volumes, however, in which are
recorded the medical and surgical aspects of the conflict as applied to the actual care of the sick and wounded, this
period is extended, in some instances, to the time of the completion of the history of the given service. In this way
only can the results be followed to their logical conclusion.

5

O FINANCE AND SUPPLY

in the finance and supply division of the Surgeon General's Office as assistant
chief in charge of distribution throughout the war. The last section of the
volume concerns medical supplies in the American Expeditionary Forces and
was prepared by Maj. Norman L. McDiarmid, M. C, who was on duty in the
supply division, first of the office of the chief surgeon, Line of Communications,
and then of the chief surgeon, A. E. F., following the merging of the two offices in
March, 1918, and was for a major portion of the time the chief of the division-

The section on medical supplies, American Expeditionary Forces, contains
the history of but one of our medical supply depots which functioned in France.
The same reason obtains here as in the case of the medical supply depots in
the United States. Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 3, Cosne, was the
principal and only full-stocked medical supply depot of the American Expedi-
tionary Forces during the period of active hostilities. Unfortunately, there is
no discoverable report of the activities of this depot, and in its place the history
of the supply depot at Gievres has been used. The loss is more seeming than
real, however, for the Gievres depot was the outgrowth of the depot at Cosne,
and, until after the armistice was signed, was subsidiary to it. It functioned
in the same manner as did the depot at Cosne.

To facilitate a proper understanding of the routine procedures concerning
medical supplies in both the interior and the theater of operations, pertinent
paragraphs of the Manual for the Medical Department, effective during the
World War, are included in the appendix; in addition, the promulgations of
General Headquarters, A. E. F., relating to the procurement and distribution of
supplies, are included there.

As an index of the accomplishments of the Medical Department as a supply
department during the World War, it is within the bounds of propriety to state
that the department emerged from the World War unscathed by material criti-
cism for not having either suitable or adequate supplies at all places where they
were needed. This is in marked contrast to previous experience.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Preface 5

Introduction 11

Section I. Organization for Administering Supply- Matters

Chapter I. In the Surgeon General's Office 45

II. Storing and distributing agencies; using agencies 67

Section II. Procurement

III. Kstimates and appropriations 85

IV. Requirements 99

V. Advertising for bids -. 107

VI. Contracts 113

VII. Factors affecting production of supplies 133

VIII. Clearance and priority of materials to be manufactured 151

IX. Purchase of supplies - 165

X. Inspection of supplies -. 198

XI. Consolidation of procurement 207

XII. Consolidation of finances - 223

XT1I. Disbursements 229

Section III. Field Equipment

XIV. Individual equipment 235

XV. Combat equipment 251

XVI. Field hospital, ambulance company and other divisional unit equipment. 263

XVII. Evacuation hospital 289

XVIII. Litters and litter carriers - 303

XIX. Surgical dressings 317

Section IV. Motor Vehicles

XX. Motor ambulance subdivision, Surgeon General's Office..- 333

XXI. The ambulance chassis . 337

XXII. The ambulance body _. . 351

XXIII. Ford ambulances 363

XXIV. Motorcycles 375

XXV. Spare parts; supplies -. 379

XXVI. Consolidation of procurement 391

XXVII. Overseas shipments 395

XXVIII. Donated ambulances.. .. 407

Section V. Camp Medical Supply Service

XXIX. Camp medical supply depot 411

XXX. Supplies and equipment 429

XXXI. Special supplies ■._,... 465

8 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Section VI. Hospital Supplies and Equipment

Page

Chapter XXXII. Hospital furniture and equipment 475

XXXIII. Overseas base hospitals 493

XXXIV. Surgical instruments 525

XXXV. Surgical dressings and sutures 541

XXXVI. Sterilizing apparatus 563

XXXVII. X-ray equipment and supplies 579

Section VII. Dental and Veterinary Equipment and Supplies

XXXVIII. Dental equipment and supplies 605

XXXIX. Veterinary equipment and supplies 629

Section VIII. Activities of Distributing Medical Supply Depots

XL. New York medical supply depot 659

XLI. Motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville 697

Section IX. Activities Connected with the Overseas Transportation

op Supplies

XLII. Port medical supply depots 713

XLIII. Shipping regulations 729

XLIV. Transport unit equipment 737

XLV. Termination of accountability for supplies sent to the American

Expeditionary forces 743

Section X. Medical Supplies, American Expeditionary Forces

XLVI. Organization and activities of the supply division, chief surgeon's

office , 747

XLVII. Finance and accounting 817

XLVIII. Activities of intermediate medical supply depot No. 2, Gievres,

France 825

Appendix 853

Index 919

List of Figures
Figure

1. Medical officer's belt 239

2. Medical Department enlisted man's web belt 244

3. A pile of filled enlisted men's belts, representing a day's work, awaiting boxing for

shipment, at the field medical supply depot at Washington 247

4. Showing manner of filling belts 247

5. Medical cart 257

6. Method of packing contents of medical cart 258

7. Litter with slings 304

8. Snowshoe litter 308

9. Field litter carrier in collapsed form 309

10. Field litter carrier in use 310

11. Field litter carrier as a trailer 311

12. Wheeled litter carrier 313

13. First-aid packet in metal case, and pouch 317

14. Contents of first-aid packet 318

15. G. M. C. chassis, model 1916 338

16. 17. Showing method of boxing G. M. C. chassis for shipment 346, 347

18. G. M. C. ambulance, model 1916, open type 352

19. G. M. C. ambulance, model 1916, closed type 353

20. Standard G. M. C. ambulance, 1918, with model AA body, side view 357

21. Standard G. M. C. ambulance, 1918, with AA body, rear view 358

TABLE OF CONTENTS 9

Figure Pag°

22. Standard Ford ambulance of 1917, side view 364

23. Standard Ford ambulance of 1917, rear view 365

24. This and Figures 25 to 27 show the Ford ambulance of 1918 367,368,369,370

28. Spare parts trailer, side view 380

29. Spare parts trailer, front view 381

30. Spare parts trailer, rear view 382

31. Spare parts trailer, showing equipment carried 383

32. Spare parts trailer, road side set up 384

33. Layout of a camp medical supply depot in one of the buildings of the general

camp warehouse group 412

34. Floor plan and side elevation of one of the standard base hospital storehouses.- 413

35. Standard sterilizing outfit, with two sterilizers 566

36. Portable disinfector 568

37. Portable X-ray outfit, model of 1917. Table top removed 581

38. Standard bedside X-ray unit 582

39. Portable dental outfit. 606

40. Veterinary ambulance, side view 652

41. Veterinary ambulance, front view 653

42. New York medical supply depot 661

43. Intermediate medical supply depot No. 2, Gievres, entrance.. 771

44. Advance medical supply depot No. 1, Is-sur-Tille, general view 772

45. Map showing location of medical supply establishments, American Expeditionary

Forces 780

46. Intermediate medical supply depot No. 2, Gievres, main office S26

47. Intermediate medical supply depot No. 2, showing railroad tracks 837

48. Intermediate medical supply depot No. 2, showing Decauville track and turn-

table, as used in all warehouses 838

49. Intermediate medical supply depot No. 2, showing interior of a warehouse 840

50. Intermediate medical supply depot No. 2, showing issue room 851

INTRODUCTION
EVOLUTION OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT SUPPLY SYSTEM

REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD

The procurement of medical and hospital supplies during the Revolution
divides into three quite definite, but somewhat overlapping, periods. The first
began with the raising of troops by the individual colonies in 1774, and not only
continued until those troops were demobilized in December, 1775, but obtained
to a greater or less extent until near the close of the war. The second covers
the period from the appointment of Dr. John Morgan, 1 director general of the
hospital, October 15, 1775, to July 15, 1781. The third period began in July,
1781, with the transfer, by resolve of Congress, 2 of the procurement of all sup-
plies for the Army to the superintendent of finance, and continued until the
close of the war.

During the first period each colony, as it passed resolves for the raising
and equipping of its troops, directed that the necessary medicine chests and
surgical instruments be purchased and issued to the several regimental surgeons. 3
These resolves frequently did not specify the agency to arrange for their pro-
curement. In some instances the committee of safety was directed to arrange
for them by importation or otherwise; 4 in others, individuals were designated
to procure or supply them. 5 Hospitals were authorized, buildings, were selected
and altered for the purpose, equipment was collected, surgeons were designated
to have charge of them, and persons were selected to provide provisions, refresh-
ments, and necessaries for the sick. 6

A medical commissary was appointed for the troops assembled at Cambridge
whose duty it was to receive, store, and issue, upon proper orders, such medi-
cines, instruments, and hospital stores, supplies, and equipment as might be
obtained for the colonial forces. He was authorized by the Provincial Congress,
Massachusetts Bay, to purchase medicines and hospital stores as needed, and
was empowered to impress beds, bedding, and other necessaries for the sick.
For such articles as were taken in this manner a receipt was given the owners
thereof 7 and the articles either were paid for or were returned when no longer
needed. So acute did the shortage of medicines and medical and surgical sup-
plies become during 1776 and later years that most stringent measures were
taken for their economical use and disposition. Regimental surgeons were even
required to give oath before receiving them that the medicines so received
would be used exclusively for the sick of their respective regiments and that
they would account for them upon being discharged from the service. 8

The several colonies appear to have done, and at all times showed a desire
to do, all they could, as individual colonies, for the medical welfare of their
own troops. When such troops passed beyond the borders and control of the
respective provinces, it became necessary for the Continental Congress to make
provision for them both in hospitals and in supplies.

11

12 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

When General Washington arrived at the headquarters of the forces of the
continent, then at Cambridge, Mass., on July 3, 1775, he began immediately a
thorough and searching personal investigation of the condition of the troops,
their equipment and supplies, and the organization of the service of supply.
Since these forces were made up of colonial troops, organized, officered, and
equipped by the respective colonies from which they were sent, the methods of
supply in vogue differed, apparently, for every colony represented. Commenting
upon these different and at times conflicting methods, General Washington
wrote the President of the Continental Congress on July 13, 1775, that "there
is a vital and inherent principle of delay, incompatible with military service,
in transacting business through such numerous and different channels. I esteem
it, therefore, my duty to represent the inconvenience which must unavoidably
ensue from a dependence on a number of persons for supplies, and submit it to
the consideration of Congress whether the public will not be best promoted by
appointing a commissary general for these purposes. Connecticut troops observ-
ing this method are exceptionally well furnished under the direction of Mr.
Trumbull." 9

General Washington, finding the same centralization of authority and
responsibility lacking in the medical service with the troops and the same
undesirable residts emanating therefrom as in the case of supplies, reported,
July 12, 1775, to the President of the Continental Congress that the hospital
was in a very unsettled condition ; that there was no principal director, or sub-
ordination among the surgeons; that disputes and contentions existed among
them and would inevitably continue until reduced to system; that the health
and lives of both officers and men so much depended upon a due regulation of
that department that its immediate consideration was greatly to be desired. 10
Congress, however, on July 19, 1775, probably before the receipt of this letter,
had begun the consideration of the subject and had appointed a committee " to
bring in a plan for an hospital." The committee's report was adopted by
resolve of July 27, 1775. This resolve prescribed the personnel of the medical
establishment, their rank, title, emoluments, and duties. The medical estab-
lishment so authorized was based upon and covered the hospital needs of a force
of only 20,000 troops, and was, in fact, what it purported to be, "an hospital."
It was called at various times an hospital, the hospital, the Continental Hospital,
and the American Hospital. 11

Medical and surgical care of individuals who required treatment but did
not need hospital care was furnished by the regimental surgeons and mates
assigned to duty with the respective regiments. 12 Among other duties, Congress
required of the director general of the hospital the establishment of hospitals,
the providing of the supplies and the subordinate personnel required therein,
the disbursements therefor, and the keeping of the accounts thereof. 13

The act of July 27, 1775, represents the first attempt on American soil to
provide the medical service of the Army with a central organization. It is not
clear from the wording of the legislation itself just what Congress contemplated,
or how much or how extensive was the authority intended to be conferred upon
the director general therein provided, whether it contemplated a single hospital
with the director general in command of it, or a number of hospitals with that

INTRODUCTION 13

official as the head of a medical department. The act made no provision for
any expansion or for coordination with hospitalization in other territorial depart-
ments or divisions of the Army. It is noteworthy that the total personnel
authorized for the department was inadequate to operate hospitals with
combined bed capacity of 1,000 patients.

Although the resolution of July 27, 1775, placed upon the director general
the responsibility, and gave authority for providing the necessary medicines and
hospital supplies, Congress, possibly because of uncertainty of the authority so
granted, possibly because of its keen desire to assist in every way the success-
ful prosecution of the war, shortly thereafter appointed a committee of five of
its members to "devise ways and means for supplying the Continental Army
with medicines." " This committee came later to be known as the medical
committee and continued to have charge in Congress of all matters pertaining
to the medical establishment until it was discontinued and its records, duties,
and functions were transferred by resolution of May 28, 1781, to the board of
war. 15 This committee took an active part in procuring medical supplies
during the earlier years of its existence. 16 As time passed and the activities of
Congress broadened, this committee divested itself more and more of its supply
functions and devoted its attention to the personnel and duties of the medical
establishment.

PROCUREMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPLIES

During the first two or three years after the establishment of the medical
service with the Army there was considerable confusion and overlapping of
function in the procurement of medicines, instruments, surgical supplies, fur-
niture, bedding, and hospital stores, but especially in the procurement of med-
icines. 17 No plan for a systematic and continuing supply had been evolved.
Purchases were made, rather indiscriminately, by the director general, deputy
director general, surgeons of hospitals, regimental surgeons, and the medical
committee. Even the deputy commissary general was called upon to pay for
medicines and occasionally (probably on the selection of a medical officer) to
purchase and ship them to designated points on instructions from the department
or army commander.

The determination of the types and quantities of the various articles
required by the medical service of the Army and their procurement and dis-
tribution to that service remained the responsibility of the director general
until Congress, by resolve of April 7, 1777, I8 directed that it be shared with the
deputy directors general of military departments, positions created by the same
resolve. These deputy directors general, during the absence of the director
general from the department, and with the approval of the department com-
mander, were empowered and directed, either personally or through assistant
deputy directors also authorized by this act, " * * * to provide medicines,
instruments, dressings, bedding, and other neccessary furniture, proper diet,
and everything requisite for the sick and wounded soldiers and the officers of
the hospitals; to pay the salaries and all other expenses of the same."

The duties of the apothecary general are nowhere described in detail, but
it is probable that he received in bulk, medicines, medicinal herbs, and the
paraphernalia of his profession. The medicines were compounded under his

14 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

direction and put up in containers suitable for dispensing by tbo hospitals and
by the regimental medical personnel. Issues of these supplies were made in
accordance with instructions received from the director general or the deputy
director general of the district in which the issues were made. The apothecaries
were not purchasing agents but received their supplies from the director or
deputy directors general, or the purveyor.

Provisions, forage, and other like articles were purchased, stored, and issued
by the hospital commissary, another position created by the act of April 7,
1777. 18 This commissary officer was to be guided in his purchases by the
prices paid for like articles by the commissary general and the quartermaster
general, respectively, with whom he was required to consult freely. Such
of these supplies as were needed by general hospitals were delivered to the
hospital steward thereof who distributed them to the patients and accounted
to the commissary for them. Supplies needed for regimental hospitals were
committed to the care of a steward or medical storekeeper appointed for that
especial purpose in each army. Such supplies were obtained by this steward
from the commissary of the army or a general hospital upon recpiisitions signed
by the director general or one of the deputy directors general. The steward
then distributed them to the using organizations upon instructions from the
chief physician and surgeon of an army. Since the latter was charged also
with the maintenance of a suitable stock of tents, beds, beddings, medicines,
and hospital stores which he received on requisition from the director general
or deputy director general, it is probable that the same storekeeper or steward
was custodian of both provisions and supplies.

The finances of each district or territorial department pertaining to the
medical establishment were administered by a clerk in the office of the deputy
director general. This clerk kept the accounts of the several hospitals and
received and disbursed under the orders of the director general or the deputy
director general of the district the funds provided for the use of the medical
establishment in that district.

The director general, by resolve of February 6, 1778, was relieved of all
duties in connection with the procurement of supplies, and limited in his activ-
ities in this line to determining the quantities required and to issuing the
necessary instructions for their procurmcnt. 19 The deputy directors general,
also, no longer were concerned directly in the procurement and distribution of
supplies but were required to appoint assistant deputy directors under them
to the immediate and sole duty of providing supplies. Supplies and equipment
for the hospitals were divided into two main groups and each group was assigned
to one or more assistant deputy directors for procurement. The one group
consisted of articles necessary for the care and physical comfort of the patients —
beds and bedding, ward and office furniture and equipment, mess equipment,
hospital clothing, and the like. The other group comprised articles required
by the professional services — medicines, instruments, dressings, herbs, etc.
By common consent, apparently, and in view of their particular duties, these
assistant deputy directors engaged upon the procurement of supplies came
presently to be called purveyors, which title was incorporated later into law
and continued in use until the close of the war.

INTRODUCTION 15

In the reorganization of the medical establishment provided in the resolve
of September 30, 1780, the procurement, storage, and issue of supplies devolved
upon a purveyor and one assistant purveyor for the entire establishment. 20
The purveyor based his purchases upon estimates furnished him by the director
general, now called the director, or by a board of two of the deputy directors
general, now called chief hospital physicians. The purveyor purchased or pro-
cured all articles necessary for the use of the medical service of the army, regi-
mental as well as hospital. While all articles were grouped under one officer
for procurement, the channels of distribution differed somewhat. The grouping
of articles for distribution conformed to those under the previous organization.
Those for the professional service, medicines, instruments, dressings, and the
like, were committed to the custody of the apothecary and his assistants, by
whom the medicines were prepared for dispensing. All articles committed to
his care were distributed by him directly to the hospitals and the army, upon
requisitions approved, in writing, by the director, one of the chief hospital phy-
sicians, or the chief surgeon of the army. All medical department personnel
were forbidden to use for themselves any of the stores provided for the sick.

The remaining articles procured by the purveyor were stored and issued
by him or his assistant upon requisitions approved or instructions issued by the
director, chief hospital physicians, chief physician and surgeon of the army, or
the senior surgeon on duty at any of the general hospitals.

The functions and responsibilities of the hospital steward in connection
with supplies underwent very little change in this organization. The scope of
his procurements was somewhat extended and included the procurement of any
small article needed by the hospital and not in stock.

By resolve of July 10, 1781, the actual procurement of supplies devolved
upon the superintendent of finance, 2 which function that official continued to
exercise until the close of the war.

UNDER THE CONSTITUTION

From the close of the Revolution to April, 1818, the medical service was
without a central organization or head except for two brief periods, 1799-1800,
and 1813-14. 21 Its affairs, both as to personnel and supply, during that period
appear to have been administered by the head of the War Department. Its
supplies were procured under instructions emanating from his office by the
agencies designated to provide those for the remainder of the military forces.
A definite sum for the Hospital Department, beginning with 1791, appears in
the annual appropriations for the Military Establishment. Beginning with the
appropriations for the year 1802, the title of the appropriation was changed to
"Medical and Hospital Department," 22 and has so continued in all appropria-
tions for the support of the Military Establishment since that date.

In 1818 the central office of the Medical Department was established by
the appointment of a Surgeon General, 23 which office continues. It may be
noted, in passing, that the act authorizing a Surgeon General did not define his
duties, that detail being left to be fixed by regulation. In September, 1818,
orders were issued from the War Department prescribing the duties of the Sur-
geon General, wherein he was made the director and immediate accounting

16 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

officer of the Medical Department, and denning in a fair amount of detail the
manner of procuring, receiving, requisitioning, and accounting for the articles
needed in the care and treatment of the sick. 24 It was directed therein that the
apothecary general and his assistants should purchase all medicines, hospital
stores, surgical and other instruments, books, and dressings required for the
public service of the Army. Issues were to be made of these articles only upon
annual requisitions or estimates furnished by the Surgeon General. Issues,
under certain exceptional conditions without specific instructions from the
Surgeon General were authorized. Whenever an issue was made it was accom-
panied by an itemized invoice, of which a duplicate was sent to the Surgeon
General. 25

The apothecary general and his assistants were directed to render to the
second auditor quarterly returns of purchases accompanied by invoices of the
articles purchased, for which they thereupon became both responsible and
accountable. 25 They could be relieved of this accountability by the receipt of
the person to whom the supplies were issued or upon a certificate on honor for .
such articles as had been expended in the apothecary's department, stating for
what purpose. Responsibility for damaged supplies did not cease until they
had been sold. The apothecaries were required to render to the Surgeon Gen-
eral annually, on September 30, a return showing the articles purchased by them
during the year and the average price paid for each article.

While a supply table for the use of the Medical Department appears to
have been compiled during the Revolution and revised during the War of 1812,
it appears to have been observed more in the breach than in the keeping, and
the several medical officers requisitioned for the articles and in the quantities
which appealed to them, with but little regard to any standard. 26 One of the
early duties to which the Surgeon General turned his attention was the compi-
lation of a supply table containing all articles necessary for the treatment of
the sick and wounded in the military service and fixing the quantities of each
article thereon which would be sufficient for routine treatment of 100 men for
one year. The list was submitted to the various officers of the Medical Depart-
ment for comment and criticism and finally published to the service March 20,
1819. 27

Requisitions were to be based upon this list, to be made annually and
forwarded on December 31, of each year. 27 If the surgeon needed articles not
on the list, or quantities in excess of those enumerated in the supply table, he
noted the reasons therefor in the proper column of the requisition for the con-
sideration of the Surgeon General, who approved or modified the request as he
deemed the conditions to warrant.

When the requisitions from the various posts had been received, the apothe-
cary general and his assistants compiled the total requirements, made the
necessary purchases, filled the requisitions as soon as the supplies were available,
and delivered them to the Quartermaster's Department for shipment to their
respective destinations. 28

The office of the apothecary general and his assistants was discontinued
in the reduction and reorganization of the military establishment which took
place in 1821. 29 Purchases of supplies for the Medical Department thereafter,

INTRODUCTION 17

for many years, were made by one of the surgeons of the regular establishment
detailed thereto in addition to his other duties. In such capacity he was
referred to for a number of years as "the apothecary." At a later period,
about 1839, his title was changed to "medical purveyor." Although this
term occurs in the Army Regulations of 1841 and seems to have been in com-
mon use in the Surgeon General's Office for many years, it did not acquire
legislative sanction until the act of April 16, 1862, in which the duties of the
medical purveyors were defined and somewhat amplified. By the act of
July 17, 1862, they were required to give bonds for the faithful performance of
their duties in such sums as the Secretary of War prescribed. The act of
July 28, 1866, authorized a chief medical purveyor and four assistant medical
purveyors, who, when not acting as purveyors, might be assigned to duty as
surgeons upon the orders of the President. These titles and requirements
relative to medical purveyors were incorporated in the Revised Statutes of
1878, where references to them appear in sections 1168, 1171, and 1173. The
last section provides that " the chief medical purveyor shall have, under the
direction of the Surgeon General, supervision of the purchase and distribution
of the hospital and medical supplies." With the retirement in 1897 of the
then chief medical purveyor, the position was not filled and the use of the title
was discontinued. 30 The medical purveying depots came to be known as med-
ical supply depots. The officer performing the duty of medical purveyor was
designated officer in charge of the particular depot to which he was assigned.
Of later years this title has been changed to medical supply officer and applied
to all officers of the Medical Department in charge of medical sections of gen-
eral and corps area depots, of depots of purely Medical Department supplies,
and of the medical property at general and station hospitals. 31

So far as can be ascertained the principal depot for Medical Department
supplies has been in New York City since the War of 1812. During the years
preceding 1861 practically all medical and hospital supplies were purchased at
and distributed from this depot. A supplemental depot existed for a number
of years, particularly during the Mexican War, in New Orleans. As the upper
Mississippi and Missouri Valleys were settled and military posts were estab-
lished in that region a small distributing depot was maintained at St. Louis.
During the years 1862-1866 the number of medical supply depots increased
until at the close of the Civil War there were six principal depots in opera-
tion: New York, N. Y.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Washington, D. C; St. Louis, Mo.;
New Orleans, La.; and San Francisco, Calif. 32 During the years 1867-1897,
inclusive, as the strength of the Army diminished the number of depots was
reduced to three, New York, St. Louis, and San Francisco. Such were the
number and locations of the depots at the outbreak of the Spanish-American
War, at which time a depot was reestablished in Washington, D. C. ; a subdepot
drawing its supplies from St. Louis was established at Chickamauga, Ga. 33

The variety of articles purchased at medical supply depots gradually

increased as the years passed, the needs of the hospital increased, and the

equipment for them became specialized. Army Regulations of 1841 required

the medical purveyor to cause suitable medicine chests to be constructed and

30663—28 2

18 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

furnished to hospitals, regiments, posts, and garrisons, and to purchase all
medicines, hospital stores, bedding, surgical and other instruments, hooks,
stationery, and dressings, required by the Medical Department of the Army.
In 1862 the duties of the medical purveyors were extended, under the direction
of the Surgeon General, to include the selection and purchase of all medical
supplies, including new standard preparations, and of all books, instruments,
hospital stores, furniture, and other articles for the sick and wounded of the
Army. 31 The standard articles to be furnished out of the appreciation entitled
"Medical and Hospital Department" have appeared either in Army Regula-
tions, in general orders and circulars of the War Department, or in the Manual
for the Medical Department, approved by the Secretary of War, as its supply
table, since 1819. This has included, in the main, all movable articles in the
hospital required for its effective operation, as distinguished from the perma-
nent fixtures such as plumbing and lighting fixtures and cooking and heating
apparatus, which are supplied from another appropriation. Such fixed appa-
ratus as instruments, dressing, and water sterilizers, and apparatus for the
disinfection of bedding, clothing, etc., are now and have for many years been
purchased out of the appropiation, "Medical and Hospital Department."

During the decade which preceded the Spanish-American War the list of
articles in the standard supply table had undergone little if any change. The
equipment and supplies provided, while limited in variety, were always ample
in quantity and were believed to include all articles necessary for the military
service in time of peace. New remedies of determined therapeutic value were
added from time to time to the supply table, but few preparations were supplied
for experimentation, or because of more agreeable taste, or to save trouble
in compounding. 35 Such care was taken in the use and conservation of both
expendable and nonexpendable supplies that expenditures of both were kept
at a minimum consistent with the service. The number of articles worn out
and condemned during the year was correspondingly small. The personnel of
the Medical Department, both commissioned and enlisted, trained in the true
essentials of economy, were able to make the most out of everything furnished
them and to adapt themselves to their environment with a minimum of incon-
venience and a maximum of efficiency. The Army, too, was well trained in
this respect, was familiar with all the equipment issued, the uses for which
that equipment was intended, and the regulations governing its use and
replacement; consequently, expenditures were low. 36

As a result of this ability of the personnel of the Medical Department in
the care, preservation, and utilization of medical and hospital supplies and
equipment, the annual appropriations gradually diminished from $200, 000 for
the fiscal year of 1888 to $135,200 for the fiscal year 1898. The annual expen-
ditures for medical supplies and equipment declined from an average of
$133,041.65 for the three-year period, 1888-1890, to an average of $58,624.19 for
the three-year period, 1895-1897, although the strength of the Army remained
practically the same, about 26,000. During the latter period, of the $461,500
appropriated, $147,566.1 1 remained unexpended and reverted to the Treasury. 36
This economy was manifested in the meagerness of the supplies carried in the
medical supply depots. Purchases for replenishment of stock were made semi-

INTBODTTCTICW 19

annually in the spring and fall, and the amount depended largely upon the
quanities included in the annual requisitions. This inevitahly resulted in small
stocks and the absence of any reserves beyond the needs for current issue, and
left the Medical Department wholly unprepared for an emergency such as
would result from the mobilization of any considerable body of troops in addi-
tion to those of the regular establishment. 37

It is appropriate here to refer to the equipment for the Medical Depart-
ment unit on duty with regiments and smaller organizations of the line of the
Army. In the early part of the development of this equipment the Army was
small and it seemed proper that the equipment for a mobile hospital of 10 beds
be provided for each regiment. Such equipment was revised and improved in
1892 and issued to the larger posts for observation, field tests, and report. 38
This equipment consisted of a medical chest, a surgical chest, a mess chest, a
food chest, a commode chest, a field desk, and a set of folding field furniture
supplied by the Medical Department, and the necessary tentage, cooking and
heating apparatus, and shovels, rakes, etc., supplied by the Quartermaster
Department. 39 This unit hospital equipment was improved and augmented
from time to time so that by 1808 it had reached such a state of amplification
and perfection that the routine care of the sick of a peace-time regiment in the
field could be fairly well provided for by it.

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

The advent of the War with Spain found the supplies and equipment of
the Medical Department at a very low ebb. Its field equipment was in the
process of evolution. The bulk of the equipment previously acquired was in
the possession of the troops. The stock of such equipment in the depots was
but little more than sufficient for 20 regiments. 40 New pattern medical chests
and surgical chests were developed while the war clouds were gathering, and
instructions to purchase a sufficient number to equip the troops were issued as
soon as funds became available. 41 There was, at that time, no official table of
equipment for any medical unit larger than a regimental hospital. 41 The field
hospital organization developed during the Civil War, which provided all the
necessary appliances for the proper care of the wounded for a great battle,
without delay or confusion, had completely disappeared. 42 The tables of equip-
ment for field hospitals, ambulance companies, camp and division hospitals,
evacuation and general hospitals, or the units which corresponded to them,
had all to be evolved as the need for them arose. 43 None of the articles includ-
ed in these lists appear to have been in stock in sufficient quantities to provide
the initial equipment required. They had to be purchased and the units assem
bled after war was declared.

Although the appropriation for the national defense was made available in
the early part of March, 1898, no orders for medical and hospital supplies were
placed, pursuant to instructions from the Secretary of War, prior to the first
call for volunteers in anticipation of that call. 44 Immediately following the
President's proclamation of April 2.3, 1898, for 125,000 volunteers, instructions
were issued by the Surgeon General to the officers in charge of medical supply
depots for the purchase of such medicines, dressings, instruments, first-aid

20 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

packets, furniture for field and general hospitals, medical and surgical chests
for field use, mess chests, field desks, litters, hospital stores, and other supplies
as were considered requisite for the number of troops called into the service. 44
Instructions were issued to the surgeons of all Regular troops to take with them
to their respective mobilization camps their regimental field medical equipment
and sufficient supplies to last for three months, and most of the surgeons
complied with the instructions. 45

It early became evident that the rate of muster into the Federal service
of the Volunteer regiments would outstrip the rate of delivery of the field med-
ical equipment required for them. A telegraphic appeal was sent May 3 to
the governors of the several States to utilize the equipment of the National
Guard in the service of the State to outfit the regiments of Volunteers being
raised in their respective States until Medical Department supplies were ready
for issue. This appeal was granted in so far as the medical equipment of the
States would permit. Many of the States had no such equipment and the
numbers actually furnished fell, for various reasons, greatly below what had
been expected. 45 To tide over the period between the actual muster into the
Federal Service of the Volunteer regiments and the delivery to them of the
standard unit equipment, instructions were issued, May 12, 1898, 46 to the med-
ical supply depots at New York and St. Louis to assemble a number of modi-
fied equipments, called advance regimental outfits, and to report as soon as the
assembly of any of them had been completed. These advance outfits consisted
of an assortment of the more essential medicines, antiseptics, and hospital stores
contained in the standard medical chests. They were packed in a standard
packing box provided with suitable hinges, hasp, and padlock. Sufficient fold-
ing field furniture, bedding, hospital clothing, ward utensils, and mess equipment
to provide for the patients were also included in this outfit. The New York
depot reported May 14, 1898, that 5 outfits were ready and that 25 more would
be completed during the following week. The St. Louis depot reported on
May 21, 1898, the assembly of 5 such sets, but that they were short some arti-
cles. Some of these sets, as well as the completed units in storage, were issued*
direct to regiments. Others, and probably the greater number, were shipped
to the local medical depots at the mobilization camps and there issued under
instructions from the chief surgeon of the corps or camp. Additional supplies,
calculated from the field supply table for 10,000 or 20,000 men, were shipped
to the camp depots from time to time on instructions from the Surgeon
General's Office.

The Medical Department supply division, being accustomed to the eco-
nomical use of supplies by medical officers of the Regular Army and thoroughly
familiar with their ability and willingness to get along with the articles on the
standard supply table, did not at first appreciate that the demands of Volun-
teer surgeons in quantities and variety of articles would be so great as experi-
ence developed. In view of the low previous sick rate of the Regular Army,
the great morbidity which developed in the mobilization camps was not antic-
ipated, nor was the prolonged stay of the troops in those camps. 47 An adequate
conception of the magnitude of the task of providing the troops and hospitals
with adequate supplies and equipment did not obtain during the early days of

INTRODUCTION 21

the war, nor, in the absence of definite plans previously worked out and care-
fully prepared, was the increase in and the adjustment of the medical supply
service to the task imposed upon it so great or so rapid as was needed. Some
time, also, was lost in adjusting the methods of procurement to war-time con-
ditions. Some time was lost in the beginning by advertising for bids, but this
method was soon discarded for the more expeditious, if less orthodox, method
of purchase in the open market, contracts being made only when the sums
involved required it. 48

In the initial establishment of camps and general hospitals the equipment
was shipped under instructions from the Surgeon General's Office and without
requisition. 49 Purchases of quantities of supplies in Washington, Baltimore,
and Philadelphia were made directly by that office to provide for the imme-
diate needs of the troops at Camp Alger, and the general hospitals at Fort Myer,
Va.; Washington Barracks, D. C; and Fort Monroe, Va. 50 Requisitions were
made by telegraph and supplies were shipped by express. 51 By the midsum-
mer supplies were being issued with great liberality, 52 if not prodigality. Long
delays were experienced in the delivery of supplies shipped, due largely to rail-
road congestion in the vicinity of the camps. 52

By the end of September, 1898, 11 general hospitals, with a total capacity
approximating 7,000 beds, had been fully equipped, in addition to the supplies
required for Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philippines. In some instances cots
and bedding were obtained from the Quartermaster's Department. The hos-
pitals in the various camps, too, had been equipped and these supplies replen-
ished. 53 The expedition of 18,000 men for the Philippines had been furnished
their unit equipment and six months' supplies of the expendable articles. Full
equipment for the fixed hospitals in Manila required for these troops and a large
reserve of supplies accompanied the expedition and replenishments followed. 54

The Army had been rapidly mobilized and it was with difficulty that the
procurement and delivery of supplies by any of the supply bureaus could keep
pace with the mustering in of the Volunteers and the expansion of the Regular
organizations. The transportation systems of the country were very poorly
prepared to handle the movement of the supplies it became necessary to ship,
and great congestion of traffic at points in the vicinity of the mobilization points
was inevitable. New problems thrust themselves upon both the military and
the civilian personnel involved in the mobilization and supply.

Years of economy, of limited appropriations, of contracted and contracting
methods of administration, made rapid expansion difficult. As a result of the
many complaints made to and criticisms of the War Department because of
these things, the Secretary of War on September 8, 1898, applied to the President
of the United States for a thorough investigation, by an impartial board of
eminent and distinguished soldiers and civilians, of every bureau of the \\ ar
Department in connection with the mustering, clothing, supplying, and arming
of the troops, contracts, transportation, expenditures and all other tilings per-
taining to the Army. The President acceded to that request and appointed a
commission of 10, including its recorder, known as the Dodge Commission.

This commission made an exhaustive investigation of the Army and of its
conduct during the war and arrived at some very definite conclusions. Those
relating to medical supplies were to the effect, briefly, that the Medical Depart-
ment, at the commencement of hostilities, had few medicines and practically

OTIS HISTORICAL ARCHIVES

ARMED FORCES MEDICAL MUSEUM, AFIP

22 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

no hospital furniture; that the economy with which it had been administered
for years had prevented the accumulation of any reserve stores; that no con-
tracts, even provisional, for needed supplies and equipment had been made
during March and April because of lack of funds, since, in the absence of a state
of war, no part of the national defense fund could be used for this purpose;
that if there had been a stock of supplies available for prompt shipment much
of the complaints and wants of the sick and the surgeons would have been pre-
vented; that time was lost in having manufactured standard chests of various
kinds for drugs, stores, dressings, furniture, etc., the making of which never
equaled the demand for them; that the medicines on the supply table were too
restricted; that the shortage of supplies was in many instances due to the lack
of knowledge on the part of untrained medical officers of how to get the supplies;
that because of the methods of administration evolved through years of strict
economy it was impossible for the Medical Department to operate largely, freely,
and without undue regard to cost; that the demands made upon the resources
of the department were very much greater than had been anticipated, and con-
sequently, in like proportion, those demands had been imperfectly met ; and that
because of its lack of ability to control the shipment of its supplies it had been
seriously crippled in its efforts to fulfill the regulation duty of "furnishing all
medical and hospital supplies." 55

The commission recommended, with regard to medical and hospital supplies,
that "a year's supply for an Army of at least four times the actual strength,
of all such medicines, hospital furniture, and stores as are not materially dam-
aged by keeping, be held constantly on hand in the medical supply depots,"
and that the Medical Department have charge of transportation to such extent
as would secure prompt shipment and ready delivery of the medical supplies. 56

period 1900 to 1916

The Medical Department took very seriously the findings and recommen-
dations of the Dodge Commission and set about correcting the defects and in
initiating measures to make effective the recommendations relative to a reserve
of supplies. The occupation of tropical territory called for intensive studies in
sanitation and the prevention of disease. These studies called for and were
followed by studies in equipment, its procurement and distribution. The
expanding Army, too, made necessary the development of unit equipment for
the organizations which that expansion called into being.

I'nit Equipment

During the War with Spain the use of the regimental hospital unit of
equipment with brigaded or division troops was discontinued and a larger
local unit under the title, division hospital, was substituted, following the plan
of the latter part of the Civil War. 57 This hospital had a capacity of 200 to
250 beds. The regimental hospital continued in use with those regiments which
were stationed apart from other regiments. The equipment of the regimental
hospitals had been utilized in the establishment of the division hospitals, con-
sequently when the Regular Army regiments joined their stations they had but

INTRODUCTION 23

little medical equipment. Regimental field hospital equipment was again
assembled and issued to a number of posts. This number was at first 19, but
later was increased to provide one such equipment at the headquarters of every
regiment within the continental limits of the United States. 58

The Manual for the Medical Department for the year 1898 provided a
meager equipment for a brigade or division hospital and for an ambulance
company. 59 In the revision of the manual, published in 1902, extended study
was made of the equipment of this unit, which was given the title, field hospital.
The equipment provided for 108 beds instead of the 200 to 250 of the former bri-
gade or division hospital, and included supplies considered to be sufficient for
5,000 effectives for three months. The equipment of this unit was packed in
specially designed cases, chests, and held desk. It contained not only medical
and surgical supplies, surgical instruments, folding ward furniture, bedding and
clothing, and mess and cooking appliances, but also bathtub sets, an acetylene
illuminating outfit, microscope and microscopical accessories, and a water steril-
izing outfit. A separate equipment especially designed to provide for first-aid
treatment and refreshment of the wounded and their transportation to the rear
was provided for the ambulance company. The equipment of the regimental
hospital was revised and improved and its capacity reduced to six beds. 60

The studies on supplies and equipment continued, and a revision of the
supply table and tables of equipment appears in the Manual for the Medical
Department, 1906, together with a description of the duties and regulations for
each unit. In this manual the studies of equipment are carried to units which
functioned between the units of the division and the general hospitals established
for the definitive and final treatment of the seriously disabled. The equipment
of the field hospital remains at 108 beds, but it is considered as a unit of mobil-
ity intended for primary treatment only. 61 A larger unit intended for more
complete and prolonged treatment is provided under the title stationary hos-
pital. This unit has a capacity of 324 beds and is more elaborate than the field
hospital. It also is essentially a mobile unit capable of being housed under
canvas and moving at short notice. While an effort was made to provide as
great comfort as possible for the patients, it was necessary, in order to provide
for ready and rapid removal to points needed, to keep the weight and bulk of
the equipment at the minimum. The equipment for this unit was supplied in
part by the Medical Department and in part by the the Quartermaster's
Department. The latter furnished the vehicles, animals, harness, tentage,
cooking and heating apparatus, and the implements for policing the hospital
area. The Medical Department furnished the remainder. The weight of the
articles furnished by the Medical Department, packed and ready for shipment,
approximated 40,000 pounds, and that of the articles furnished by the Quarter-
master's Department approximated 18,000 pounds, making the aggregate
58,000 pounds. 62

The need for an agency to make prompt delivery of medical supplies to
the units at the front also received consideration, and equipment and supplies
therefor were provided under the title, advanced supply depot. The weight of
this equipment, all of which was supplied by the Medical Department, approx-
imated, when packed for shipment, 12,000 pounds. The equipment of this

24 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

unit was intended to provide a reserve supply of medicines, dressings, hospital
stores, stationery, etc., for the division, including the field hospitals. 63

The attitude toward the regimental hospital changed materially in the
1906 edition of the manual. A full field hospital equipment was contemplated
for regiments serving alone, but the equipment of regiments brigaded in camp,
where the facilities of the field hospital or stationary hospital were available,
were limited to that of infirmaries giving dispensary service only. 64 All cases
requiring hospitalization were sent to the camp hospital. The total weight of
the infirmary equipment, exclusive of tentage for personnel, rations, and forage,
was approximately 1,700 pounds as against 4,161 pounds for the hospital
equipment.

At the large camps of mobilization at the base whence military operations
were to be undertaken, a larger hospital of 500 beds was contemplated, to be
known as a base hospital. 65 Ordinarily it was to be housed in suitable buildings,
but in the absence of such it might be housed under canvas. The equipment
provided for this unit was of the same field type as that for the stationary
hospital, but was correspondingly more ample. The weight of the equipment
of this unit as packed by the Medical Department was approximately 54,000
pounds. The equipment furnished by the Quartermaster's Department weighed
approximately 24,000 pounds, an aggregate of 78,000 pounds.

The equipment of the ambulance company was but little changed in this
edition of the manual.

An equipment was provided for the office of the chief surgeon of a corps,
division, or brigade. 66 It consisted essentially of folding field office equipment,
chairs, desks, tables, typewriters, etc., stationery, record books, and blank
forms.

The next revision of the Manual for the Medical Department (1911) contains
no new unit equipment. The name of the stationary hospital was changed to
evacuation hospital, a title more nearly descriptive of its function. The
advanced supply depot became more appropriately "reserve medical supply."
There was a gradual increase and amplification in the equipment of the less
mobile units and an improvement in its type. The weight of the field hospital
equipment furnished by the Medical Department was reduced to 8,105 pounds.
The weight of medical supplies in the evacuation hospital was about the same
as the stationary hospital which preceded it but its gross weight increased to
65,960 pounds. The gross weight of the base hospital was increased to 92,143
pounds. The standards for the regimental hospital and infirmary had not
been changed. The standard supply table for fixed or stationary hospitals
had undergone some change. The dental equipment was revised and the
manner of packing improved. 67

The whole trend of the period was along the line of improvement in type
and quality of supplies furnished. Inspection of supplies delivered became
increasingly more careful and rigid although the methods of procurement con-
tinued unchanged. As the quality of supplies improved the number of persons
bidding increased. Fair dealing and promptness in paying bills engendered a
better spirit among the contractors for medical and hospital supplies. Study
was given at the depots to the development of tests and analytical methods to

INTRODUCTION 25

determine the qualities of the different articles of supply and whether they
conformed to the standard samples upon which the invitations to hid were
based. Except for the drugs listed in the United States Pharmacopeia there

were no detailed specifications for any article purchased. All purchases were
based upon sample. In the acceptance of the articles delivered was the
matching of wits between the buyer and seller. By applying the general prin-
ciples of analysis in the examination of all articles the description of or specifi-
cation for any particular article became, from invitation to invitation, more
detailed and more complete. As these specifications grew they were written
into the contracts and the contractual stipulations enforced. If the deliveries
met the requirements of the stipulations they were accepted. If they did not
meet these requirements, the articles were rejected and the requirements were
enforced at the expense of the contractor. The bulk of the business at this
time was transacted through jobbers or firms which specialized in Government
contracts. The manufacturer and wholesaler rarely bid upon textiles, china-
ware, furniture, or even medicines. Surgical instruments, operating room and
ward furniture, and equipment were for the most part from the manufacturers. '•'
In providing medical supplies for the troops in Cuba, in Hawaii, in the
Philippines, and in the Boxer rebellion in China, much valuable experience was
gained by the various medical officers having duties in connection therewith.
The purchase of the medical and hospital supplies rerpiired during the construc-
tion of the Panama Canal also added to this experience. An effort was made
to train medical officers for the supply service of the department, but the chronic
shortage of medical officers prevented this effort from coining to full fruition
and the number so trained was pitiably small. Nevertheless they served to
f<»rm the nucleus of the organization which developed in 1916-1918, and to
train and direct the new men called into service during those years. 6 "

The revision of the standard supply table in 1916 introduced new equip-
ment for the medical officer and the enlisted men of the Medical Department.
The orderly pouch and the Hospital Corps pouch gave place to a web belt with
pockets in it in which were carried the essential articles formerly carried in the
pouches. The belt for the medical officer provided him with the medicines
and the few simple instruments required in rendering first aid/' 9 The regi-
mental hospital and regimental infirmary equipment gave way to a regimental
combat equipment intended only for first-aid and dispensary treatment and
the evacuation of the wounded from the firing line to the regimental aid
station. 70 A camp infirmary equipment was provided for use in camp. Camp
dispensaries were established with these equipments. A reserve stock of medi-
cines was provided for these dispensaries. No case was to be hospitalized at
these dispensaries; all cases requiring hospitalization were to be sent to the
field hospital serving the division for the time being, or to the camp hospital. 7 '

Reserve Equipmskt

While the studies of the articles appropriate to the various unit equipments
were in progress, procurement- were not neglected. The quantity of equip-
ment recommended by the Dodge Commission to be kept in reserve was the
vroal For years no specific appropriation was made for this purpose, and
even- dollar which could be saved in the administration of supplies for post

26 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

and general hospitals was used to purchase the reserve equipment. Being
convinced that the system of unit equipment was the correct method of fur-
nishing equipment to new organizations, every effort was made to assemble a
given number of such units in proportion to the needs from front to rear. The
number of regimental units kept pace with those for the division, the corps,
and the army. One held hospital and one ambulance company equipment
were provided for a definite number of regiments. Evacuation hospitals had
a definite ratio to the units required for the division. In 1908 a special appro-
priation of $200,000 was made by Congress to enable the Medical Department
to procure its needed reserve equipment. 72

These unit equipments of every type were assembled complete with every
article which would not deteriorate with storage and kept at the supply depots
in readiness for immediate issue upon telegraphic instructions from the Surgeon
General so to do. So effective did this system prove that, during the Mexican
border mobilization in Texas in 1911, the entire medical equipment for 20,000
men was at the mobilization point eight days after telegraphic instructions
were sent to the St. Louis depot to ship it. Perishable articles, such as ether,
chloroform, and rubber goods, were not stored with the unit equipment but
were taken from stock on hand at the time of shipment of such equipment. 40
Articles pertaining to the Quartermaster Department were requisitioned by the
supply depots and incorporated in the unit equipment as it was assembled.

By the end of 1915 these unit equipments, sufficient to provide for 11 divi-
sions, were in storage at various points within the continental United States.
A number of them had been distributed to National Guard organizations, 40 and
were taken with these organizations during the border mobilization in 1916.
Nevertheless, because of lack of funds, it was impracticable to bring the reserve
equipment up to the limit prescribed by the Dodge Commission. 7 -

War-Time Procurement Plans

Studies on war-time procurement appear to have had their beginning in
November, 1902, and to have been instigated by a request from the Army War
College board for the quantity of medical and hospital equipment which should
be on hand to equip armies of 150,000 and 250,000, respectively, and fit them
for field service in the event of sudden and unexpected hostilities. 73 The
officers in charge of the medical supply depots were called upon for a report of
the quantities of articles of war materials habitually carried in stock by manu-
facturers and dealers, the manufacturing facilities for such articles and the
probable period within which contracts therefor could be filled.' 4 Based upon
these reports and upon studies conducted in the Surgeon General's Office, lists
of equipment required by Medical Department units with armies of the
strengths given were prepared and transmitted, with the estimated cost of such
equipment, to the Army War College t he latter part of January, 1903. 73 The
need for an adequate reserve of such equipment was stressed in this report and
its great expense indicated. Such reserve was to be held at the nearest base
in the event of hostilities.

These studies continued and a new list and estimate of cost of equipment
were prepared in 1906 on the basis of a definite number of organizations and
mobilization rate. As material changes in tables of equipment for medical

INTRODUCTION 27

units were then in preparation, a revised list was furnished the Army War
College the following year. 7 " In 1908 another list of equipment and supplies
lor an army of approximately 500,000 as initial equipment and maintenance
was prepared. 76 The cost of these supplies and equipment for the combatant
troops was estimated at $5, 545,054. 32. Those for the transport columns, line
of communications, and general hospitals was estimated at $2,214,924.66, mak-
ing a total estimated cost, on the basis of the then tables of equipment and
allowances, of $7,759,978.98.

The National Guard of the several States was provided with unit equip-
ment for divisional units whenever requested by the governor of the State.
The Medical Department was reimbursed for the equipment so issued out of
funds appropriated annually for arming and equipping the militia, and appor-
tioned among the several States for that purpose. 77 The moneys received by
the Medical Department from these reimbursements were promptly reinvested
in similar supplies for stock and new unit equipments assembled to replace
those issued to the National Guard. Some of the National Guard organizations
were equipped in this manner.

Considerable study was devoted in 1913-14 to the preparation of compre-
hensive and definite plans for the procurement of medical and hospital supplies
in time of war. These plans were submitted to the Chief of Staff for consid-
eration and file in the War College. They were approved July 21, 1914. 7 "
These plans contemplated that the unit system of supply whereby a definite
unit of organization could be furnished with its proper unit of equipment with
a minimum loss of time would be observed and that as many as possible of
these completed units would be assembled and stored in the various medical
supply depots where they would be available immediately for issue. It was
assumed (1) that the Regular Army would be increased to its maximum strength;
(2) that the Organized Militia at war strength would be mustered into the
service in advance of any Volunteer forces; (3) that all troops, Regulars,
Militia, and Volunteers, would be fully equipped with the necessary sanitary
units at moblization or concentration camps, before their departure for the
scene of operations; (4) that all the sanitary equipment on hand with the
Regular Army and the Organized Militia would be accounted for in the mobi-
lization, and the Medical Department would consider only the completion of
imperfect units or the supply of new units where necessary; and (5) that the
Volunteer forces to be organized would be supplied from medical supply depots,
advantage being taken of the interval elapsing between the declaration of war
and the mustering in of the Volunteers to replenish depleted stock and assemble
new sanitary units where necessary.

Studies on requirements were continued from time to time. On .lime 12,
1915, estimates were furnished the Secretary of War of the materials required,
in addition to those on hand, to equip 21 Infantry divisions, 7 Cavalry divisions,
and the requisite army troops, and the approximate cost thereof required for
equipment and maintenance of the Medical Department units therein. 7 ' These
estimates indicated a cost of $2,308,635 for unit equipment, $1,401,546 for
maintenance of the field force, and $2,128,000 for base hospital equipment.

28 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

In furnishing additional information to The Adjutant General, August 20,

1915, on the quantities of field supplies required to equip one Infantry division

and one Cavalry division, respectively, under the heads of (a) those obtainable

in the market at any time; (b) those obtainable on 15 days' notice; (c) those

obtainable on three months' notice; and (d) those not obtainable within three

months, the following principles were stated by the Surgeon General: That a

limited quantity of every item on the supply table could be purchased in less

than 90 days; that in every held unit there were components which could not

be purchased in any considerable quantities within three months, such as

special cases and containers, because they are not common articles of commerce

and must be manufactured to order; that after the receipt of the containers

at the supply depots, a considerable time would be required in which to fill them

with their component articles and pack them for shipment. 80 These principles

again were stressed in a letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant

General, September 8, 1915, in response to a request for a list of the articles of

equipment which could not be procured with reasonable quickness and should

be kept in reserve. 80

Depots For Reservk Supplies

The question of storage space for the reserve equipment was one of con-
siderable moment on account of the expense involved in the rental of the
necessary buildings. The space in Government-owned buildings was very
limited, and the expense of construction considerable. An intensive study
was given this question in 1910-11, and the requirements of the several supply
bureaus in the amount of storage space required for reserve equipment were
determined.'" The storage requirements of the Medical Department were
found to approximate 23,000 cubic feet per division. In this study, unit
assemblage was urged by the Surgeon General, who reported that the Medical
Department was prepared to furnish complete field equipment for 10 divisions
of troops. The plan eventually approved by the Secretary of War contem-
plated the establishment of depots of reserve supplies within those areas in
which troops would be mobilized in the event of war. These depots were to
be known as field supply depots and located at strategic points. Field supply
depot No. 1 was to have been established at Philadelphia, Pa. In it were to be
stored all kinds of supplies required to equip and maintain the troops, Regular
Army, Militia, Volunteers, to be organized in the then Department of the East.
The depot was to be commanded by an officer of the Quartermaster Depart-
ment especially selected therefor by the Secretary of War. An authoritative
list of supplies, to be known as the standard list of field supplies, was to have
been furnished this depot commander by the various supply bureaus using the
depot for storage purposes. It was not contemplated that issues to meet cur-
rent needs would be made from this depot. If, and when, mobilization was
ordered, the necessary supplies were to be shipped in bulk to mobilization
points and there distributed to the troops. At later dates, as appropriations
became available, it was contemplated that other depots of like character
would be established— No. 2 at Jefferson ville, Ind.; No. 3 at Atlanta, Ga.;
No. 4 at Omaha, Nebr.; No. 5 at San Francisco, Calif.; and No. 6 probably at

INTRODUCTION 29

Springfield, Mass. The articles of medical epuipment which it was at first
intended to store at field supply depot No. 1, Philadelphia, under this policy
were 25 field hospital, 22 ambulance company, 13 evacuation hospital, 7 reserve
medical supply, and 80 regimental hospital equipments. For various reasons
the supplies actually ordered to that depot were limited to litters, brassards,
and first-aid packets. 81 The articles, however, eventually were returned in
July, 1916, to the Field Medical Depot, Washington, D. C. 82 No measures look-
ing to the establishment of the contemplated field supply depots Nos. 2 to 5
were taken. Only such changes were made in depot arrangements, prior to
April 6, 1917, as were required from time to time by the military situation
along the Mexican border.

The total number of unit equipments available at the end of December,
1915, were:

Base hospitals 3

Ambulance companies (less trans-
portation) 45

Regimental infirmaries 101

First-aid packets 562,000

Evacuation hospitals 24

Field hospitals 46

Medical reserve supply 15

Ambulances ISO

Brassards 30,000

MEXICAN BORDER MOBILIZATION

Because of the political unrest in Mexico which followed the fall of the
Diaz regime, in 1911, a large part of the mobile forces of the United States was
assembled along the Mexican border, so that by 1916 more than 40,000 of our
troops had occupied that area. 83 Temporary stations or camps were established
at various strategical points, such as Eagle Pass, Marfa, and Harlingen, Tex.;
Columbus and Hachita, N. Mex.; Douglas, Nogales, and Yuma, Ariz.; and
Calexico, Calif. 84 The hospitals at these posts were provided with standard
medical post and field equipment and supplies commensurate with their needs.
These supplies and equipment the senior medical officers with the commands
obtained upon requisitions in the prescribed form forwarded at the customary
periods to the department surgeon. The greater part of their supplies and
equipment came from the medical supply depot at St. Louis, Mo., but special
articles were sent directly from the medical supply depots at New York and
AVashington from time to time as occasion required. Each principal camp had
essentially the equipment of a regimental hospital which, being compact and
limited in amount, could be packed for transportation in a very short time.
To minimize the delay in delivering to Medical Department personnel with
these troops supplies needed in emergencies which were liable to arise from
sudden and unexpected movements of the troops, and to care promptly for any
casualties should hostilities actually occur, reserves of medical field equipment
and supplies were kept at convenient points along the border. Thus, two
evacuation hospitals, a reserve unit of medical supplies, and 10 modified regi-
mental infirmaries were stored at the hospital at Fort Sam Houston, Tex.;
areserve unit of medical supplies was kept at the hospital at Fort Bliss, Tex., and
another at the hospital at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. 85 These units were kept replen-
ished and in complete readiness for immediate use. No medical supply depot
was maintained in the Southern Department, except for short periods at Fort
Sam Houston, Tex., during the mobilization of the provisional division at that

30 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

place in 1911, and at Galveston, Tex., in 1913— 1915, during the mobilization at
Texas City, Tex., and the expedition to Vera Cruz, Mexico. 86

The sending of the punitive expedition into Mexico immediately following
the memorable raid by Francisco Villa and his followers upon the town of
Columbus, N. Mex., March 9, 1916, with the subsequent mobilization of the
National Guard on the border, marks the beginning of the expansion for the
supply bureaus of the War Department, which, in so far as supplies were con-
cerned, merged imperceptibly into the greater expansion of 1917-18. The
experiences gained by the supply service of the Medical Department in 1916
proved of inestimable value in 1917-18, and demonstrated the correctness of
the principle of unit equipment.

A medical officer was ordered to Fort Bliss in April, 191 6, s? to look after
the increasing volume of supplies and issues from the augmented reserve unit
of medical supplies at Fort Bliss, and to make the disbursements of Medical
Department funds in that locality which it was anticipated would be required.
The supplies of this reserve unit were stored in the basement of the hospital at
that post. This hospital had been designated a base hospital and was being
rapidly expanded to take care of the sick from the troops in that locality and
the more serious cases from the punitive expedition and needed all the available
storage space for its own supplies and equipment. It was anticipated that this
reserve unit would make frequent issues to the punitive expedition. 88

The storage space at Fort Bliss did not exceed the immediate and urgent
needs of the post. None could be spared for the medical supply depot. The
location of the post was inconvenient and unsuitable for a rapid and expeditious
distribution of supplies. It was necessary, therefore, to find quarters for it in
El Paso and to obtain authority for its rental. An ideal fireproof warehouse
could not be found, but a fairly satisfactory two-story and basement brick
building of loft type and mill construction was secured. 89 The supplies of the
reserve unit were promptly transferred to the new depot. Requisitions for
stock were forwarded through the usual channels May 6 and 29 and .June 16
and 20 and subsequently thereto as the needs required. 90

In addition to the supplies requisitioned by the medical supply officer, there
were shipped to this depot, upon the requests of the department surgeon of duly
5 and 14, the equipment of 1 complete base hospital with 500 iron bedsteads
and hair mattresses, 9 evacuation hospitals, 4 reserve medical supply units,
and 4 division surgeon *s offices. 91 Thirty-eight ward units and a number of
motor ambulances were received under instructions from the Surgeon General" 2
and properly stored. The base and evacuation hospitals and reserve units
of medical supplies were held in reserve against a possible intervention and
resultant hostilities in Mexico. 91

At the request of the surgeon of the Southern Department the establish-
ment of a medical supply depot at the base hospital at Fort Sam Houston,
Tex., was authorized June 1, 1916, and a medical officer on duty at that hos-
pital was detailed in charge of it. 93 Reserve medical supply unit No. 11, then
in storage at that point, was utilized for the initial equipment of this depot.
These supplies were augmented from time to time by requisitions from the
medical supply officer through usual channels.

INTRODUCTION" 3 1

With the prospect of the early mobilization of National Guard troops in

the Southern Department it became evident that the storage space available
at Fort Sam Houston for the use of the medical supply depot would be wholly
inadequate. Steps were taken during the latter part of June to obtain suitable
office and warehouse space for the depot in San Antonio. A nucleus of trained
depot employees was transferred to this depot from other medical supply
depots. M Upon telegraphic request from the department surgeon, the medical
supply depot at Washington was directed, on duly 18, to ship by freight to the
San Antonio depot five times the quantities of expendable articles for a base
hospital listed in the Manual for the Medical Department (1916, par. 891),
to expedite the shipment, to make open-market purchases if necessary, and to
purchase the most satisfactory substitutes if the standard articles were not
available. On the same date similar instructions were wired to the medical
supply officer at New York to ship twenty-five times the annual allowance of
expendable post supplies for posts of 1,000 as listed (pars. 843 to 848, inclusive,
M. M. D. 1916) and ten times the annual allowance of nonexpendable post
supplies (pars. 844, 845, and 847, same manual), excepting certain articles. 95

Two calls for the mobilization of the National Guard were issued in 1916.
The first call was issued May 9, and was limited to the National Guard of the
States of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico." 6 The mobilization points for these
troops were designated by the commanding general of the Southern Department
under the terms of the Call. The second call was issued June 18, designated
units and mobilization points, and included all States except Texas, Arizona,
and New Mexico. The object in specifying the units in the respective States
to be included in the second call was to exclude units which up to that time
had failed to receive Federal recognition. Such of these units as later received
recognition were called into the Federal service. 97 The mobilization points for the
several States had already been determined, and although a few of them were
changed later to more suitable localities, the mobilization occurred as previ-
ously planned. In order that adequate medical supplies and facilities might
be available for the organizations as they arrived, under instructions of June
19, from the Surgeon General, a field hospital equipment was sent to camps
where it was known that no organized and equipped field hospital of the Nat-
ional Guard was present, Every regiment of the National Guard was pre-
sumed to have with it a regimental hospital or infirmary equipment and its
regimental medical personnel. Upon this personnel and the supplies in the regi-
mental equipment these troops were expected to depend until the arrival of
the field hospital equipment. Under verbal instructions from the Surgeon
General the Army Medical School at Washington, D. C., forwarded on June 20,
by mail or express to the various mobilization camps, sufficient quantities of
typhoid vaccine to immunize the number of men expected to report at the
respective camps. Additional quantities of this vaccine were forwarded from
time to time upon the request of the camp surgeons. Smallpox vaccine was sup-
plied to these camps as needed upon requests by the camp surgeon to the surgeon
of the department in which the camp was located. 97 At camps where a short-
age of medicines occurred pending the arrival from the medical supply depots of
the field hospital equipment, authority was granted the camp surgeon for the

32 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

local purchase of such medicines as might be required. Replenishment of sup-
plies in the regimental equipment was obtained upon requisitions initiated by
the regimental surgeon and forwarded through the cam]) surgeon. If the arti-
cles were not available in the camp hospital such requisitions were forwarded
through the department surgeon to the Surgeon General, who directed the issue
from the appropriate depot. 97 As rapidly as the organizations completed their
physical examination, equipment, and muster into the Federal service, they
were forwarded to their designated station in the Southern Department. There-
after they received their medical supplies in the manner already described. As
rapidly as the mobilization camps were emptied of troops the medical equipment
pertaining to the camp hospital was shipped to the depot from which it origi-
nally came. 97

Some items of field equipment were listed in the Manual for the Medical
Department, 1910, which had not appeared in the previous edition and conse-
quently were not available for issue to sanitary units upon the distribution of
the 1916 Manual. Being new items, the sources of supply had to be developed.
Shortages of materials and parts contributed to the difficulties of contractors
in completing their contracts. This was particularly true of packmule boxes,
ambulance boxes, and the boxes for the venereal prophylaxis units. Surgical
and dental instruments were difficult to obtain, as will be discussed in detail in
the chapters devoted to those subjects. While these articles were not in
themselves particularly essential to the treatment of the sick, since their con-
tents were readily obtainable on requisition, the unit equipment of the sanitary
organizations could not be completed without them. The inability of the
depots to furnish these articles gave rise to a great number of back orders, a
large amount of correspondence, and some dissatisfaction.

The expansion of the base hospital at Fort Sam Houston had taken place
before the arrival of supplies at the San Antonio depot, and the equipment of
that hospital was obtained on requisitions, formal and telegraphic, forwarded to
the Surgeon General. The bulk of its equipment was shipped from the New
York medical supply depot. After August, however, requisitions from that
hospital were referred by the department surgeon to the San Antonio depot
for issue for such articles as were carried by it. Requisitions for large quanti-
ties of supplies and for articles not stocked by the local supply depot continued
to be sent to the Surgeon General for reference to other depots for issue. 98

Motor Ambulances

Motor ambulances were utilized for the first time in the field service of
our Army during this mobilization. Abundant opportunity offered in which to
determine the value and limitations of such transportation. The conditions
under which they were required to operate were as severe as could well have
been devised. They traversed a desert country where roads were either absent
or at best were mere trails; sand and deep chuck holes filled with dust fre-
quently were encountered. Patients had to be evacuated great distances over
these seemingly impassable roads. The strains to which the vehicles were put
over the route from Columbus, N. Mex., to Namiquipa and El Valle, Mexico,

INTRODUCTION 33

and the experiences gained thereby proved of great advantage in the later
developments of the motor ambulance as it finally evolved during the partici-
pation of the United States in the World War.

Almost as soon as it was known to the Surgeon General that an expedition
was to be sent into Mexico, a telegram was sent to the department surgeon of
the Southern Department inquiring whether motor ambulances were needed
for Mexico and if so to whom they should be sent." It may be stated here,
in passing, that the appropriation for the support of the Army for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1916, approved March 4, 1915, contained authority,
under the title of "Medical and Hospital Department," for the purchase of
motor ambulances, and at the request of the Surgeon General, a board of three
medical officers was appointed at Washington, D. C, in July, 1915, for the
purpose of investigating and reporting upon the motor ambulance best adapted
for use in the military service. 100 The department surgeon desired that six
motor ambulances each be sent to Ambulance Companies Nos. 3 and 7, at
Columbus, N. Mex." Telegraphic instructions were sent March 11, to a med-
ical officer at Fort Leavenworth, Kans., to purchase five Ford motor ambu-
lances and trailers. 101 One such ambulance and trailer designed by this officer,
previously had been purchased, examined, and tentatively accepted by the
ambulance board, and was in use at Walter Reed General Hospital, Washing-
ton, D. C. This machine was at once shipped to Columbus, N. Mex., for
Ambulance Company No. 3. Of the five ambulances purchased and shipped
to Columbus, N. Mex., April 7, two were consigned to Ambulance Company
No. 3 and three to Ambulance Company No. 7. 101

The medical supply officer at Washington was instructed, on March 13, to
purchase in open market as an emergency measure six motor ambulances and
trailers conforming to specifications which he would receive from the ambulance
board. These instructions were supplemented by further instructions of March
18, to purchase 10 more motor ambulances with trailers in accordance with
specifications from the motor ambulance board. These instructions to the
medical supply officer were followed March 24 by instructions to ship 6 of the
motor ambulances and trailers to Columbus, N. Mex., consign 3 to Ambulance
Company No. 3, and 3 to Ambulance Company No. 7, 4 ambulances and
trailers to the surgeon, base hospital, Fort Bliss, and 6 to the surgeon, base
hospital, Fort Sam Houston. 102 The surgeon, medical base group, Columbus,
N. Mex., reported the arrival of the 6 motor ambulances at that base on April
18, and the trailers and spare parts on April 20. 103 The ambulances and trailers
for Fort Bliss were shipped from Philadelphia, Pa., on April 28; those for Fort
Sam Houston, May 5. 104 The Ford ambulances having been found too light
and otherwise unsuited to the heavy service in Mexico, no more of them were
purchased at that time. 105 Further purchases of ambulances of the large type
were made from time to time until the end of July, when such purchases were
suspended by the Secretary of War pending a decision upon the policy of motor
equipment for division trains. 108 This was brought up by a request of the
commanding general, Southern Department, for touring cars for use of the
commanding officer's of motorized ambulance companies and for the substitution
30663—28 3

34 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

of two motor trucks of lj^-ton capacity for the wagon transportation of
ambulance companies and eight motor trucks of equivalent capacity for the
wagon transportation of field hospitals. This motor equipment was allowed
Field Hospital Company No. 7 and Ambulance Company No. 7, as an emer-
gency measure on account of the exceptional conditions under which they were
operating. 107 Approximately 200 motor ambulances had been purchased or
were in the process of being purchased at the time the suspension of purchase
was directed by the Secretary of War. Some of these vehicles were issued to
camp and station hospitals, to the Philippine and the Hawaiian Departments,
and the remainder were placed in storage at the medical supply depots at St.
Louis, San Antonio, and El Paso. 108 Some of the ambulances were released
later for issue to Ambulance Company No. 1 at El Paso, Tex. 109

The majority of the chassis purchased during 1916 were model 15, %-ton
truck, built by the General Motors Truck Co., of Pontiac, Mich. While this
G. M. C. chassis had a few defects, it proved on the whole to be satisfactory
and the experiences gained on the border enabled that company to perfect their
model 16, %-ton truck chassis, which ultimately became the standard chassis
for the large motor ambulance.

Deficiency Appropriations

The funds available to the Medical Department for the performance of its
mission during the period of the border mobilization were included in the
annual appropriations for the support of the Army during the fiscal years
ending June 30, 1916, and June 30, 1917, under the title Medical and Hospital
Department, and urgent deficiency appropriations were made as the mobiliza-
tion progressed. These funds were available for the immediate use of the sick
and wounded, including motor ambulances for their transportation w hen neces-
sary. The funds with which to provide shelter or housing for the sick and
wounded, in short for hospitals, were contained in another appropriation under
the title, " Construction and repair of hospitals," listed among the appropriations
for the Quartermaster Department, in the same annual appropriations for the
support of the Army.

The appropriation, "Medical and Hospital Department", for 1916 was
$750,000, based on a total military force of 100,000 officers and men.' 10 This
sum was equivalent to an allowance of $7.50 per man per year. This figure
had been the approximate basis of appropriations under the title for several
years. This appropriation for the fiscal year 1916 included, for the first time,
among the purposes for which it might be used, a provision for the purchase
of motor and other ambulances, their maintenance, repair, and operation. It
was under this authority that the purchase of motor ambulances already noted
was made.

Immediately following the entry of the expeditionary force into Mexico,
Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing the filling of existing organizations
of the Army to war strength. 111 This contemplated an increase of approxi-
mately 20,000 men. To cover the expenses of the Army incident to this increase
a deficiency appropriation act was passed on the last day of March in which
was included the sum of $37,500 under the title, "Medical and Hospital

INTRODUCTION 35

Department, " and applicable to the same purposes as the annual appropriation
act for the then current fiscal year. 112 This sum was determined upon the
needs of 20,000 men for three months at the rate of $7.50 per man-year.""'

The circumstances which led to the calling of the National Guard into the
Federal service in June, under the provisions of the national defense act, made
it immediately imperative to incur large obligations for which no funds had
been appropriated, specifically for motor ambulances for the proper equipment
not only of the mobile troops of the Regular Army but also of the Militia when
mustered into the Federal service. Because of the manifest urgency of the need,
the Surgeon General on June 22, requested authority to incur a deficiency of
$1,584,000 for medical and hospital supplies to cope with the situation. The
number of ambulances estimated as necessary to equip three of the four
ambulance companies for each division at the rate of 12 ambulances and 1
repair car per company, less the number of ambulances already purchased, was
792. The estimated cost per ambulance complete was $2,000. This request
was approved by the Secretary of War on June 24 and deficiency estimates in
the sum of $1,584,000 were forwarded the same day. The Surgeon General
was informed on July 11 that the funds were available. 114

In response to an inquiry of June 15, 1916, from The Adjutant General for
the amount of funds which would be needed by the Medical Department
immediately upon the outbreak of War for an army of 500,000 men, including
the Regular Army and the National Guard, the Surgeon General reported on
June 19 that, for the initial equipment of this force, there would be required
207 combat equipments, 150 infirmaries, 103 ambulance companies, 68 field
hospitals, 44 divisional medical supply units, 36 evacuation hospitals, 27 base
hospitals, 100 general hospitals (on the basis of 10 per cent of the strength of
the Army), 2 hospital ships, and 10 hospital trains (equipment only). 115 This
initial equipment, it was estimated, would cost $6,535,632.55, without any pro-
vision for maintenance. Maintenance for a year would add $4,000,000 more.
The total of these two sums, less $2,000,000 included in the annual appropria-
tion bill for 1917 for the support of the Army and the $1,584,000 in the urgent
deficiency bill, both of which were then pending, would leave $6,951,632.55 to
be provided. Before the annual appropriation bill was passed the amount
allowed the Medical and Hospital Department was increased to $4,500,000, of
which $500,000 was for hospital construction purposes. 116

Portable Dental Outfits

Following the passage of the act of February 2, 1901, (31 Stats. 752),
authorizing the employment of contract dental surgeons, a section of dental
supplies and equipment was added to the standard supply table of the Medi-
cal Department. Since an insufficient number of such dental surgeons had
been authorized to provide one for every one of the established military posts,
it became necessary, if the troops everywhere were to receive dental attention,
to assign to many of the dental surgeons a number of military stations which
they would visit on itinerary, spending so much time at each as the immediate
needs of the command indicated. It was also impracticable to provide at all
these stations, and particularly those of small size, a dental outfit such as was

36

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

used in civil life and authorized for the large stations where the services of a
dental surgeon were continuously required. No good reason could he seen
why the individual dental surgeon should not have a portable outfit of such
character and completeness as would enable him to perform all emergency
work, extractions, filling, and the less complicated artificial dentures. Such
an outfit was developed and issued under the title, "portable dental outfit." 117
This outfit consisted essentially of a foot-power dental engine, capable of being
sufficiently dismounted to permit being packed in a small case about the size of
and somewhat resembling an ordinary suitcase; a folding dental chair with
canvas seat and back, and provided with a suitable adjustable headrest, all
packed in a wooden case which became the base of the chair when set up; two
fiber covered chests with compartments and trays in which were carried a suit-
able assortment of tooth extracting forceps, burs, and other dental instruments;
and a fiber-covered supply chest of sufficient size and divided into compartments
suitable for the apparatus, dressings, and other articles necessary for a fairly com-
plete dental office. The complete list of contents of such outfits may be found
under appropriate titles in the Manual for the Medical Department for the years
1911 and 1916. One complete outfit was issued the dental surgeon upon entry
into the service and accompanied him upon on his itinerary wherever he went.
To insure that the outfit would be available upon arrival at a station on this
itinerary it was customarily shipped by express. Because of the character of
the chests and the great variety of articles included in the set a considerable
time was required in which to purchase the articles and assemble the unit.
Consequently the issue of such equipment, unless already assembled when
request for it was received, was slow, and unless complete it was of but little
value.

Ward Unit"

Since the unit system so greatly facilitated communications by telegraph,
relative to equipment, the officer in charge of the reserve medical supply depot
at Fort Bliss, at the suggestion and with the collaboration of the surgeon of the
base hospital at that post, prepared a list of articles commonly used in hospital
wards and designated it a ward unit. Copies of this list were filed in the offices
of the Surgeon General, the department surgeons, and the purchasing medical
supply depots. The list included equipment for a 50-bed ward, or its equi-
valent in smaller wards. 118 This ward unit was freely used in issuing instruc-
tions for procurement of supplies and the shipping of equipment to new hospitals
during the years 1916-1918, inclusive. 119 The contents of this unit follow:

A 50-bed ward unit

Bedsteads, white enamel 50

Blankets, white 100

Chairs:

Arm 10

Folding 20

Invalid, rolling 2

Rocking 6

Close stools 4

Bed pans, white enamel 4

Cups, spit, white enamel 10

Cushions, rubber, open center 2

Cuspidors 6

Eye shades:

Single 6

Double 4

Gowns, convalescent, summer 50

•This ward unit commonly was referred to as the "Wolfe unit" during the World War.— Ed.

INTRODUCTION

37

Looking glasses 2

Mattress covers 76

Mattresses, hair 50

Pajama suits 120

Pillows:

Feather 20

Hair 50

Pillowcases, cotton 200

Racks for urinals and bedpans 2

Rubber sheeting (yards) 4

Shirts, cotton 50

Sheets, cotton 150

Tables, bedside, folding 50

Towels:

Bath (dozen) 12J^

Hand (dozen) 20

Tubs, foot 2

Urinals, agate ware or white enamel . 6

Back rests 4

Thermometers, bath 2

Poktable Disinfecting Apparatus

Disquieting reports of the prevalence of typhus fever in some of the larger
cities of Mexico at no great distance from the border had been received from
time to time for many months by the United States Public Health Service.
Measures had been taken by that service for the inspection at the various
ports of entry along the Mexican frontier of all immigrants and refugees coming
into the United States from Mexico. These inspections covered railway con-
veyances as well as the persons and the baggage of such immigrants and
refugees. Inspection of freight cars coming into some ports of entry from
Mexico showed them to be teeming with bedbugs and pediculi. Reports indi-
cated that freight cars had been commonly used in Mexico in troop movements
owing to the destruction of passenger coaches. 120

To provide against the infestation of our troops in camps along the border,
the department surgeon, Southern Department, requested, July 17, that one
disinfestation apparatus each be sent to Brownsville, Eagle Pass, Laredo, and
Fort Bliss, in Texas, and Douglas and Nogales in Arizona. 121 For greater
utility it was necessary that this device be readily transportable.

In all probability, too, other infectious diseases common to camp life,
particularly those of the respiratory tract, would make their appearance in
such prevalence as would require extensive disinfection of bedding and clothing
to limit their spread. An autoclave of size sufficiently large to admit mattresses
had been devised by the United States Public Health Service and had been in
use for a number of years at its various immigration stations. It consisted
essentially of a double-walled rectangular or cylindrical steel chamber of large
dimensions, capable of using steam under high pressure. It had a swinging
door provided with a radial arm type of locking device at one or both ends.
This permitted the ready admission and removal of infected material and
facilitated operation. It was connected with a high-pressure steam boiler and
provided with safety valve, steam, and vacuum gauges. All those in use by
the Public Health Service were, from the nature of the service required, of the
fixed or stationary type. Some work in developing a portable type of this
apparatus had been done by one of the large firms making disinfecting appa-
ratus for hospital use. 120 Collaborating with the officers at the New York
medical supply depot, this firm made a number of improvements and developed
an apparatus sufficiently mobile for field use. This apparatus as finally devel-
oped was a self-contained unit consisting of a disinfecting chamber and a steam
boiler mounted on a steel chassis with ball-bearing wheels and capable of being
animal drawn or used as a trailer behind a truck. The disinfecting chamber

38 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

was a double-walled shell having inside dimensions 44 inches high, 36 inches
wide, and 84 inches long, with a single door at the front end. It was provided
with a suitable valve device by which a vacuum of 2 atmospheres could be
readily developed. The steam boiler of the submerged head vertical type and
suitable size was mounted in rear of and in series with the disinfecting chamber
and connected to it with suitable steam pipes. The boiler was designed to
burn coal and was capable of generating within 20 minutes sufficient steam to
raise the pressure in the disinfecting chamber to 40 pounds. The apparatus
was provided with a device whereby formaldehyde could be admitted into the
sterilizing chamber when desired and later be neutralized by ammonia. The
adequacy of the sterilization effected by this apparatus was carefully checked
by suitable bacteriological tests. It was found that subjection of the contents
of the sterilizing chamber, even when it was completely filled, for one-half hour
to a steam pressure of 15 to 20 pounds was sufficient to kill the most-resistant
bacteria, their spores, and the ova of vermin, when the infected material was
placed in the center of the mass in the chamber. 122 The performance of this
apparatus on the border proved to be wholly satisfactory and led to its purchase
during 1917 and 1918 in large numbers for use at the various training camps
at home and for use at the hospitals overseas.

Manner of Procuring Supplies

The method of determining the quantities of medical supplies required
during this mobilization followed the same general lines as had been utilized
during the preceding years. In the Surgeon General's Office, calculations were
made for new equipment required by the troops and the amount of equipment
for prospective new troops to be called into service. The quantities of the
articles on the standard supply table which it would be necessary to purchase
at each semiannual procurement were determined in the Surgeon General's
Office for each period from estimates submitted by the four medical supply
depots in the United States. These estimates, in turn, were based upon previ-
ous issues of those items during a six months' period. The quantities on such
estimates usually represented one-fourth of the total issues of the particular
articles during the two years just preceding the date of the estimate. From
the quantities indicated by these figures no deductions were made unless the
^tock on hand of any item exceeded the average six months' issue of that time,
the object being to have a six months' stock in the depot and to be purchasing
those required for the second ensuing six months. Issues to other depots in the
United States were not considered in making up these estimates, the net issues
to troops being desired. Issues to the depots supplying troops in Panama,
Hawaii, the Philippine Islands, and China were not included because of the
distances of such depots from Washington and delay incident to receiving their
estimates. Since most of the issues were post supplies, the principal purchases
were for post medical supplies. The purchase of field supplies and equipment
was for the most part to enable the assembling of new unit equipment.

Since the total additions to the Regular Army prior to July, 1916, did not
exceed materially the 20,000 men needed for the expansion of organizations to
their full authorized strength, no special measures were initiated for the pro-

INTRODUCTION 39

curement of additional supplies other than motor ambulances, X-ray and
sterilizing apparatus. With the issuing of the second call of National Guard
troops into the Federal service in 1916 procurement activities became greatly
augumented. Requisitions from the medical supply depots in the Southern
Department for initial stock and replenishment came in with a rush and were
referred to the appropriate depots for issue, with authority to purchase in
emergency. If the standard articles could not be readily obtained the most
suitable substitutes were purchased. The time on circulars inviting proposals
was reduced to seven days. Medical supply officers were authorized in making
contracts to erase the article requiring approval by the Surgeon General and
approve the contracts themselves, "By order of the Surgeon General." 123

The medical supply officer at New York was directed, on June 28, to
purchase 100 portable dental outfits and send 40 to the medical supply depot
at El Paso and another 40 to the depot at San Antonio. 124 On June 30,
instructions were telegraphed to the medical supply officer at New York to
accumulate 100 ward units and such other articles not included in the ward
unit as would be necessary to provide for 5,000 patients. 125 The medical supply
officer at St. Louis was instructed by telegram on the same date to accumulate
100 ward units and additional supplies for 5,000 patients. 126 These instructions
comtemplated advertising by a seven-day circular, incorporating in the
contracts provisions for 100 per cent increase and the purchase from satis-
factory samples if standard articles were not readily available. By prior
instructions of June 24, the New York depot had been directed to purchase
2,000 bedsteads and the same number of mattresses. 127

As in previous years, difficulties and delays were experienced in placing
orders and securing deliveries of articles contracted for. Bedsteads and mat-
tresses were still coming in at the end of October on contracts placed early in
July. Nevertheless shipments of the principal items in the ward units were
started to the border July 20 from the New York depot and August 1 from the
St. Louis depot, and continued in a steady stream as fast as deliveries were
made by the contractors until the shipment of 37 units to San Antonio and 38
units to El Paso had been completed by the end of August. 128

While the experiences in the procurement of supplies for the border mobi-
lization were frequently annoying and far from satisfactory, they proved to be
invaluable from a developmental standpoint and as a preparation for the condi-
tions which obtained during the stress of the months of war which followed. The
observance of peace-time restrictions had been supplanted, in a measure by
independence of action and fertility of expedient so necessary for action under
stress of war conditions. New methods of procurement had been tried out and
proved successful. Those in charge of the work had come to think in terms of
figures that a year previous would have been astounding. The plans for pro-
curement and distribution evolved during this period were broader, more
comprehensive and flexible. The contracted horizon of peace-time economy in
procurement had broadened perceptibly and rendered the transition into the
war period less difficult.

40 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

REFERENCES

(1) American Archives. Compiled by Peter Force, Washington, Clark & Force, 1843-

1853. Fourth Series, Vol. Ill, 1897.

(2) Journal of the Continental Congress, Library of Congress edition, Vol. XIX, 126, 180,

432; Vol. XX, 721, 734; Vol. XXI, 948-951.

(3) Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, from October, 1706, to October, 1716.

Compiled by Charles J. Hoadly, LL. D., Hartford, Mass., Case, Lockwood &
Brainard, 1S70, Vol. XV, 15.

(4) American Archives. Fourth Scries, Vol. IV, 1026.

(5) Ibid. Fourth Series, Vol. IV, 1026; Vol. V, 263; Fifth Series, Vol. I, 282, 314, et seq.

(6) Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, from October, 1706, to October, 1716:

Vol. XV, 522-523. Also: American Archives: Fourth Series, Vol. II, 748, 1355,
1434, 1440; Fifth Series, Vol. Ill, 455.

(7) American Archives. Fourth Series, Vol. II, 756.

(8) Ibid. Fifth Series, Vol. I, 282.

(9) Ibid. Fourth Series, Vol. II, 1625.

(10) Ibid. Fourth Series, Vol. II, 1706.

(11) Journal of the Continental Congress, Library of Congress edition, Vol. II, 209; Vol. IV,

284; Vol. V, 556, 568, 673.

(12) American Archives. Fifth Series, Vol. I, 108-109.

(13) Ibid. Fourth Series, Vol. II, 1893.

(14) Journal of the Continental Congress, Library of Congress edition, Vol. II, 211; Vol.

111,261.

(15) Ibid., Vol. XX, 570.

(16) Ibid., Vol. Ill, 261, 344; Vol. IV, 180, 188, 197, 348; Vol. V, 453, 463, 528, 622, 633,

661, 781, 998; Vol. VII, 34, 91.

(17) American Archives. Fourth Series, Vol. Ill, 1880.

(18) Journal of the Continental Congress, Library of Congress edition, Vol. VII, 231-237.

(19) Ibid., Vol. VII, 197-200; Vol. XVIII, 878-888; Vol. XIX, 103, 118,292-294, 375; Vol.

XXIII, 759.

(20) Ibid., Vol. XVIII, 878-888.

(21) Act of March 2, 1798 (1 Stats. 721). Also: Act of March 3, 1813 (1 Stats. 819-820).

(22) Act of May 2, 1802 (2 Stats. 183). Also: Subsequent acts making appropriations for

Military establishments.

(23) Act of April 14, 1818 (3 Stats. 426).

(24) Military Laws, Rules, and Regulations for the Army of the United States, January,

1820, 102.

(25) Ibid., 105.

(26) Letters from the Surgeon General to the Secretary of War, November 1, 1818, and

May 1, 1819. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., Old Records, Reports Book, 1818-1832,
1-7, 43-50.

(27) Circular letter from the Surgeon General to all surgeons of the Army, October 14,

1818. Record Room, S. G. 0., Old Records, Letters Sent Book, 1818-1822, 15.
Also: Circular letter from the Surgeon General to all surgeons of the Army, March
22, 1819, transmitting new supply table. Record Room, S. G. O., Old Records, Let-
ters Sent Book, 1818-1820, 48.

(28) Military Laws, Rules, and Regulations for the Army of the United States, January,

1820, 112-113

(29) Act of March 3, 1821 (3 Stats. 616).

(30) Official Army Register, 1898, 228.

(31) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, May 16, 1898. Subject:

Medical Supply Depot, Washington, D. C. On file, Record Room, S. G. O.,
38405-A (Old Files). Also: Supply Letter No. 4, 1920, S. G. O.

(32) Annual Report of the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, 1866, 2.

(33) Annual Report of the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, 1897, 9; 1898, 105-106.

INTRODUCTION 41

(34) Act of April 16, 1862 (12 Stats. 378).

(35) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1896, par. 77; 1898, par. 67.

(36) Annual Report of the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, 1888-1898, inclusive, Medical

and Hospital Supplies.

(37) Ibid., 1898, 103. Also: Commission to Investigate Conduct of War Department in

War with Spain. Washington, Government Printing Office, 1900, Vol. I, 172-174.

(38) Annual Report of the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, 1892, 5-6.

(39) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1896, par. 271-276, 279.

(40) Lecture on preparedness of the Medical Department for war. Delivered, October 22,

1914, at the Army War College, by Lieut. Col. Henry C. Fisher, Medical Corps.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 11709-E (Old Files).

(41) Annual Report of the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, 1898, 103.

(42) Commission to Investigate Conduct of War Department in War with Spain, Vol. I,

571. Also: Lecture on preparedness of the Medical Department for war. Deliv-
ered November 16, 1916, at the Army War College, by Lieut. Col. Henry C. Fisher,
Medical Corps. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 11709-G (Old Files).

(43) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1898.

(44) Letter from the Surgeon General, June 9, 1898, to the honorable the Secretary of War.

Subject: Medical and hospital supplies for Volunteers. On file, Record Room,
S. G. O., 39964 (Old Files).

(45) Commission to Investigate Conduct of War Department in War with Spain, Vol.

VI, 2797.

(46) Ibid., Vol. VIII, 27-28.

(47) Ibid., Vol. VI, 2836.

(48) Ibid., Vol. V, 1918.

(49) Ibid., Vol. VI, 2798, 2801.

(50) Ibid., Vol. V, 1919; Vol. VI, 2803.

(51) Ibid., Vol. VI, 2828.

(52) Ibid., Vol. Ill, 435; Vol. IV, 842; Vol. VI, 2827.

(53) Ibid., Vol. V, 1,937-1,938.

(54) Ibid., Vol. V, 1,935.

(55) Ibid., Vol. I, 172-174, 188.

(56) Ibid., Vol. I, 189.

(57) Ibid., Vol. 1,571.

(58) Correspondence between the Surgeon General, The Adjutant General, and the

Quartermaster General, during the years 1903 to 1906, inclusive. Subject: Regi-
mental hospitals. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 97275-A to J (Old Records).

(59) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1898, par. 272, 290.

(60) Ibid., 1902, par. 288, 338.

(61) Ibid., 1906, par. 553, 582-590.

(62) Ibid., 1906, par. 559, 582-590.

(63) Ibid., 1906, par. 562, 582-589, 596.

(64) Ibid., 1906, par. 505, 592, 593.

(65) Ibid., 1906, par. 560, 582-589.

(66) Ibid., 1906, par. 531-532, 597.

(67) Ibid., 1911, par. 805-809, 836-844, 847-879.

(68) Observations and experiences of the writer as medical supply officer, 1907-1911,

inclusive.

(69) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1916, par. 864, 907.

(70) Ibid., 1916, par. 866.

(71) Ibid., 1916, par. 657-666, 869-871, 886.

(72) Act of May 11, 1908 (35 Stats. 123).

(73) Letter from the Surgeon General, January 22, 1903, to the president, Army War College.

Subject: Medical Department field equipment for an army of 150,000 to 250,000.
On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 93360 (Old Files).

42 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(74) Telegrams from the Surgeon General, January 24, 1903, to the officers in charge, med-

ical supply depots, New York City, St. Louis, Mo., and San Francisco, Calif. Sub-
ject: Report of field supplies in stock. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 93360A,
A-l, A-2 (Old Files).

(75) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Chief of Staff, February 16, 1906. Subject:

Medical field equipment. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 93360-G, G-l, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6 (Old Files).

(76) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Chief of Staff, March 13, 1908. Subject:

Supplies and equipment of an army of 437,144 combatants. On file, Record Room,
S. G. O., 93360-H (Old Files).

(77) Memorandum from the Surgeon General to the Chief of Staff, October 20, 1913. Sub-

ject: Medical equipment for certain divisions. On file, Record Room, S. G. O.,
93360-1 (Old Files).

(78) Memoranda from the Surgeon General, for the Chief of Staff, April 11, 1914 and for

The Adjutant General, July 21, 1914. Subject: General war plans, Medical Depart-
ment. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 93360-1 (Old Files).

(79) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General of the Army, June 12, 1915.

Subject: Material for equipment of a field force. On file, Record Room, S. G. O.,
93360-K (Old Files).

(80) Memorandum from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General of the Army,

August 20, 1915. Subject: Field supplies necessary to equip one division and
one Cavalry division. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 93360-M (Old Files).

(81) Correspondence between the Chief of Staff and the Surgeon General, November 9,

1910, to December 23, 1912. Subject: Depots of supplies for mobilization pur-
poses. On file, Record Room (Old Files, 134777-A to J, incl.), S. G. O.

(82) Indorsement, Depot Quartermaster, Philadelphia, Pa., to The Adjutant General,

November 21, 1916. Subject: Transfer of field equipment in Field Supply Depot
No. 1. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 134777-M (Old Files).

(83) Annual Report of the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, 1916, 20.

(84) Army List and Directory, January, 1916.

(85) Correspondence under respective station Nos. 11447, 11562, and 12516. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O. (Old Files). Also: Letter from the depart-
ment surgeon, Southern Department, to the Surgeon General, April 10, 1916. On
file, Record Room, S. G. O., 156267-D (Old Files).

(86) Correspondence under appropriate heads. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 136, 186,

240, and Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 12,413 (Old Files)

(87) S. O. No. 91, W. D., April 18, 1916.

(88) Letter from Colonel Fisher to Colonel Clayton, April 11, 1916. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., 12,998-S. Also: Telegram from the surgeon, Southern
Department, to the surgeon, Cantonment Hospital, Columbus, N. Mex., March
18, 1916. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 12,998-N-l (Old
Files).

(89) Telegram from the medical supply officer, El Paso, Tex., to the Surgeon General, May

17, 1916. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 12,808-K-l.

(90) References to action taken on these requisitions. On file, Finance and Supply Divi-

sion, S. G. O., 12,808-J, -P, -V, -W (Old Files).

(91) Correspondence between the Surgeon General and the department surgeon, Southern

Department, various dates. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G O
13,256-179 and 211, 13,707.

(92) Correspondence between the Surgeon General and the department surgeon, Southern

Department, on ward units and motor ambulances. On file, Finance and Supplv
Division, S. G. O., 11,220 and 12,805.

(93) Correspondence between the Surgeon General and the department surgeon, Southern

Department, in May, 1916, relative to the need of an additional depot in the
Southern Department. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 13,451

INTRODUCTION 43

(94) Correspondence of various dates between the Surgeon General, The Adjutant General,

and the headquarters, Southern Department, in 1916. On file, Record Room,
S. G. O., 157,818, A, B, C, E, H, and I.

(95) Telegram to the Surgeon General, July 16, 1916, for additional supplies, and the

action of the Surgeon General thereon. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. O., 13,431-J.

(96) Report on Mobilization of the Organized Militia and the National Guard of the

United States, 1916, 10. Government Printing Office, 1916.

(97) Correspondence under title of the several States. On file, Finance and Supply Divi-

sion, S. G. O., 13,530.

(98) Correspondence between the Surgeon General and Base Hospital, Fort Sam Houston,

1916. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 13,242, parts 1-4, inclusive.

(99) Telegram from the Surgeon General to the department surgeon, Southern Department,

March 11, 1916, and reply thereto. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. ().,
13,256-42.

(100) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, July 10. 1915, requesting

the appointment of the board. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 153,155.

(101) Correspondence of March 11 and April 7 between the Surgeon General and Maj.

Kent Nelson, M. C, relative to this transaction. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 13,256-42-2.

(102) Correspondence between the Surgeon General and the officer in charge of Medical

Supply Depot, Washington, D. C, on the dates given. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 13,256-42-3 and 5-2-3.

( 103) Telegram from Col. Frick at Columbus, N. Mex., to the Surgeon General, April 20, 1916.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 13,256-42-13.

(104) Telegram from the Surgeon General to the department surgeon, Southern Department,

April 22, 1916. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 13,256-42-15.

(105) Letter from the department surgeon, Southern Department, to the Surgeon General,

April 5, 1916. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O. 13,256-72.

(106) Letter from the Surgeon General to the department surgeon, Southern Department,

August 10, 1916, relative to equipping other ambulance companies with motor
ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G.O., 11,220-6-71.

(107) Correspondence between the commanding general, Southern Department, The Adju-

tant General, the Quartermaster General, and the Surgeon General, on providing
motor trucks and touring cars for motorized ambulance companies, April and May,
1916. On file, Record room, S. G. O., 148,945-P (Old Files).

(108) Correspondence between the Surgeon General, the Medical Supply Officer, Washington,

and the surgeon, Southern Department, from July to December, 1916. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 11, 220-52-54-59-60-78.

(109) Telegram from The Adjutant General to the commanding general, Southern Depart-

ment, September 22, 1916. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 11,
220-80-1.

(110) Act of March 4, 1915, chapter 143 (39 Stats. 1079-1080).

(111) Joint resolution of Congress, of March 17, 1916, chapter 46 (39 Stats. 36).

(112) Act of March 31, 1916, chapter 56 (.39 Stats. 46).

(113) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, on the needs of the Medical

Department for 20,000 additional men. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 155,943.

(114) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, June 22, 1916, and subse-

quent action thereon. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., Old Files, 157,549-X. Also:
Act of July 1, 1916, chapter 210 (39 Stats. 338).

(115) Letter from The Adjutant General to the Surgeon General, June 15, 1916, and the

latter's reply thereto. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., Old Files, 157,549.

(116) Act of August 26, 1916, chapter 418 (39 Stats. 640).

(117) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1916, par. 854.

44 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(118) Letter from the medical supply officer, El Paso, Tex., to the Surgeon General, May 8,

1916, and the various indorsements thereon. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. O., 13,707.

(119) Correspondence between the Surgeon General, the medical supply officers at New

York and St. Louis, and the surgeon, Southern Department, at various dates. On
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 13,707.

(120) Letters from the Surgeon General, U. S. Public Health Sevice, to the Surgeon Gen-

eral of the Army, June 6 and 11, 1915, and the district surgeon, El Paso, Tex.,
September 9, 1916, to the Surgeon General on this subject. On file, Record Room,
S. G. O., Old Files, 152, 859- A-C.

(121) Letter from the department surgeon, Southern Department, to the Surgeon General,

July 17, 1916, requesting disinfestation apparatus. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 13,256,219-1-3.

(122) Letter from Col. F. M. Hartsock, M. C., New York, to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C,

September 7, 1920, on the history of sterilizers and disinfectors. On file, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. O. 414-4-6.

(123) Correspondence between the Surgeon General, the department surgeon, Southern

Department, and the medical supply officers, New York, St. Louis, and Washing-
ton. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., files 13,217, 13,256, 13,241,
at various dates between June 15, 1916, and December 31, 1916, relative to issues.

(124) Telegram from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, New York, June

28, 1916. On file, Finance and supply Division, S. G. O., 13,217-49.

(125) Telegrams of June 30, 1916, and subsequent instructions relative thereto, from the

Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, New York, directing purchases. On
file, Finance and Supply Department, S. G. O., 13, 217-52.

(126) Telegram of June 30, 1916, and subsequent instructions relative thereto, from the Sur-

geon General to the medical supply officer, St. Louis, directing purchases. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 13, 241-31-1.

(127) First indorsment of the Surgeon General's Office upon recommendations of medical supply

officer, New York, of June 22, 1916, for the purchase of these articles. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 13, 217-42.

(128) Reports to the Surgeon General of shipments made from New York and St. Louis

depots to depots in the Southern Department. On file, Finance and Supply Divi-
sion, S. G. O., 13, 258-185-2, and 13, 247-28-2.

SECTION I
ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS

CHAPTER I

IN THE SURGEON GENERAL'S OFFICE

When we entered the World War, and for a number of years prior to that
time, matters relating to supplies were administered in the Surgeon General's
Office by two divisions, whose functions are briefly stated below.

RECORD, CORRESPONDENCE AND EXAMINING DIVISION

In theory this division was administered directly by the Surgeon General
through the chief clerk; in practice some of the accounting work was done
under instructions obtained from the officer in charge of the supply division.
It comprised the chief clerk's own branch, dealing with civilian personnel, office
and field, correspondence and general matters, the stock room (office supplies),
and the record room; also, three activities now allocated, so far as they still
operate, to the finance and supply division, viz, The construction branch (pre-
liminary plans for hospitals and stewards' quarters; advisory management of
estimates and appropriations therefor), the journal branch (charged with the
receipt and distribution to the Medical Department of periodicals purchased
on subscription), and the examining branch (charged with the preparation of
estimates of appropriations under the Surgeon General, with keeping the ledger
accounts thereof, with procuring the issue of funds to disbursing officers, witli
making the administrative audit of their accounts, with the prepayment audit
of claims arising against all appropriations except artificial limbs, appliances,
and trusses, and with the receipt and settlement of returns of medical property).

SUPPLY DIVISION

This division was administered by a commissioned assistant to the Surgeon
General, who was also the disbursing officer of the Medical Department in
Washington. 1 It comprised two branches — the supply branch (charged with
supervision of the procurement and issue of medical supplies, including the oper-
ation of medical supply depots, the preparation and approval of contracts, and
and action on requisitions), and the disbursing branch (charged with the dis-
bursing functions of the officer in charge, and the adjudication of claims under
the appropriations for artificial limbs, appliances, and trusses).

Another officer was added to the force April 28, 1917, 2 who became disburs-
ing officer, assisting generally in the duties of the office, and later took charge
of the distribution of supplies. Another assistant, an officer of the Medical
Reserve Corps, reported for duty May 18, 1917. 3 This officer in turn became

45

46 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

disbursing officer. He had charge of the procurement and distribution of X-ray
equipment, apparatus and supplies, and the selection and training of medical
officers as X-ray specialists and of enlisted men of the Medical Department and
Sanitary Corps as X-ray technicians. He also acted for the finance and supply
division upon requisitions for supplies which required administrative action.
Other assistants reported for duty from time to time as the needs of the expand-
ing organization required. Technical assistants, dental, veterinary, and X ray,
were called in as needed. Nor were the other professions altogether overlooked;
certified public accountants and traffic or transportation experts added their
knowledge and skill to increase the efficiency of the operation of the machine.

FINANCE AND SUPPLY DIVISION, SEPTEMBER, 1917

In September, 1917, all activities relating to the purchase, distribution, and
accounting for medical and hospital department property, and those pertaining
to money accounts of the Medical Department (excepting the hospital fund)
were consolidated into one division, known as the finance and supply division. 4

At this time the finance and supply division consisted of four sections:
Finance, property returns, supply, and records. Some of these were subdivided
later into two or more subsections, and other sections were added.

FINANCE SECTION

The finance section was charged with providing disbursing officers with
funds, the administrative examination of disbursing officers' accounts, and of
the vouchers and checks of the disbursing officer in the division. This section
later became two distinct sections, the finance section and the disbursing section,
with a commissioned officer in charge of each.

Whenever a disbursing officer required additional funds to meet expected
payments he wrote a letter to the Surgeon General stating the amount required
and requesting that it be placed to his official credit. Upon the receipt of this
request in the Surgeon General's Office, it was routed to the principal clerk in
the finance section, who prepared the necessary request to the Secretary of War
through the assistant and chief clerk, War Department, to have the specified
sum placed to the credit of the designated disbursing officer. This the Treas-
ury Department did by warrant, notifying the officer on whom the money had
been requested that it had been placed to his official credit. Every disbursing
officer was assigned a number, commonly referred to as a "symbol," which had
to appear on all his checks. It was printed on all official blank checks furnished
him by the Treasury Department. When all the checks had been used the
disbursing officer applied to the Treasury Department for an additional lot of
check books, for which he gave a receipt. He turned in all unused checks
when he ceased to be a disbursing officer.

At the end of each month the disbursing officers prepared an abstract or
schedule of disbursements arranged in chronological order, showing the number
of the voucher, the name and address of the payee, the purpose of the payment,
and the amount paid. The several sheets were footed and carried forward.
The aggregate amount was entered on the last sheet. This abstract or sched-
ule was forwarded to the Surgeon General, accompanied by the originals of the

ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 47

vouchers enumerated therein, and an account current. Each voucher in pay-
ment for supplies purchased was accompanied by an invoice of the property
purchased which served to charge the purchasing officer with accountability for
the property so purchased. After serving its purpose as a check on the pur-
chases, this invoice was turned over to the returns or property audits section
to be used in the settlement of the property accounts of the purchasing officer.
The account current corresponded to the balance sheet of commercial organiza-
tions and showed for each appropriation the accounts remaining from the pre-
ceeding month, the sums received during the month, the gross amounts disbursed
during the month, and the balance remaining at the end of the month. Only
one account current was rendered each month, but it covered all appropriation
titles under which disbursements were made and was supported by as many
abstracts of disbursements as there were appropriation titles reported during
the month.

When these accounts current and supporting papers were received by the
finance section they were subjected to a critical examination for errors in
amounts, appropriation title, authority for the expenditure, mode of purchase,
and justification for the expenditure. Errors requiring changes in the voucher,
schedule, or account current were returned to the disbursing officer for correc-
tion. Other measures were applied where necessary to correct improper dis-
bursements. When all the papers in the month's account had been corrected
and recorded they were transmitted to the Treasury Department for the action
of the Auditor for the War Department. If no exceptions were taken by the
accounting officers of the Treasury to any of the disbursements, the disbursing
officer was notified of the settlement of the account. Accounts were settled
quarterly at the end of March, June, September, and December. If exceptions
were taken by the Treasury officials to any of the accounts during the quarter,
the disbursing officer was furnished a statement of differences. This statement,
besides listing the checks paid, specified the accounts suspended and the reasons
therefor. The disbursing officer, as soon as practicable, furnished the informa-
tion required concerning the suspended amounts. If this information proved
satisfactory, as it did in most instances, the suspensions were removed by the
Treasury Department, the account was allowed, and the disbursing officer was
so notified. In occasional instances the account would be disallowed in whole
or in part and the disbursing officer required to deposit to the credit of the
Treasurer of the United States the sum in question. The finance section of
the finance and supply division of the Surgeon General's Office, if satisfied of
the justification for the expenditure, rendered material assistance to the dis-
bursing officer in securing the final settlement of the suspended or disallowed
account.

The finance section maintained a record of disbursements and of available
or unallotted balances. From the nature of the services the Medical Depart-
ment was required to render, it was necessary that a reserve of funds be held
to meet any emergency which might occur near the end of the year and to
meet unpaid bills which found their way into the Surgeon General's Office after
the year had closed. It was very necessary, therefore, that an accurate record
of available and unobligated funds be maintained in the central office.

48 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The primary and principal book of money accounts kept in the Surgeon
General's Office up to April, 1917, was known as the appropriation ledger.
Following the granting of appropriations to be handled by the War Department,
the Secretary of the Treasury advised the Secretary of War thereof, noting in
his advice the number of the appropriation warrant by which the moneys were
withdrawn from the general funds of the Treasury. The Secretary of War in
turn advised his bureau chiefs of the appropriations assigned to them, respec-
tively, to manage. The Surgeon General, upon receipt of such advices, opened
in the appropriation ledger an account for each appropriation, under its title,
so intrusted to him, debiting the same in the amount appropriated by date of
appropriation act and number of appropriation warrant. From time to time
thereafter the Surgeon General prepared requisitions for the advance of funds
under such appropriation to a disbursing officer of the Medical Department,
which, if approved by the Secretary of War, then went to the Secretary of the
Treasury, who, in the absence of reasons to the contrary, allowed the requisi-
tion and by accountable warrant placed the funds with the Treasurer of the
United States to the credit of the officer, whereupon the funds became avail-
able for the payment of his checks. As these requisitions were prepared in
the Surgeon General's Office their amounts were credited under the proper
head or heads in the appropriation ledger, according to the dates they were
forwarded; but such credits were considered contingent only until completed
by notation by number and date of the accountable warrants issued by the
Treasury Department, of which advice duly was communicated to the War
Department and the Surgeon General.

These debits and credits cover what may be termed only the initial entries
under each appropriation to get its use and application in motion. In the
course of its life, supplemental debits would arise, by way of deficiency appro-
priations, deposits by disbursing officers of unexpended funds, deposits by
disbursing officers and others to correct disbursing errors, transfers by Treasury
settlements to adjust appropriations, etc. In like manner, supplemental credits
would arise, chiefly by Treasury settlements direct with claimants or for
adjustment of appropriations.

Eventually, at the end of its statutory period, all disbursing balances
having meanwhile been deposited, the residuary balance was turned back into
the general fund of the Treasury by surplus fund warrant issued by the Secretary
of the Treasury upon his own motion from information shown by his own books,
advice of the issue of such warrant being given to the Secretary of War and by
the latter to the Surgeon General, thus closing the account.

Besides the accounts covering the funds expressly so appropriated by titles
in the annual appropriation bills, a similar debit and credit account was kept
in this ledger (after 1906) of the funds "replacing medical supplies" derived
from sales of serviceable medical and hospital supplies, as authorized by the
act approved June 12, 1906.

To promote the accuracy of these accounts the War Department, through
the division of requisitions and accounts, kept in constant touch with the divi-
sion of bookkeeping and warrants in the Treasury Department respecting current

ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 49

balances of appropriations; and communicated to the Surgeon General tran-
scripts of such balances as the same changed, to enable him to check his own
records and reconcile discrepancies, should any be disclosed.

Appropriation ledgers representing the foregoing, or a substantially similar
procedure, are on file in the finance and supply division from an early date
until 1915. In the fall of 1918 the records pertaining to the appropriations
then current, including " Medical and Hospital Department, 1916," but not the
records of the other 1916 appropriations, were taken over by the newly insti-
tuted service of the Director of Finance. Such appropriation ledgers were not
thereafter maintained in the Office of the Surgeon General.

It was not the practice to maintain a formal ledger by debit and credit for
the individual accounts of Medical Department disbursing officers, presumably
because of the small number of them, and the resulting ease of the " follow up "
to see that they actually accounted for the funds advanced; but the practice
prevailed for many years of entering a resume of each monthly account current,
when received, in the purveyors' abstracts below described, followed by a
detailed record of the vouchers paid. About 1906 it had proved convenient to
open a record of the accounts current in a separate book, continuing the pur-
veyors' abstracts as a record of vouchers paid. The entries in the register of
accounts current were made from the accounts current themselves when received,
comprising all debits and credits by appropriation heads, indicating by notation
the date of their receipt, the date of their transmittal to the auditor, and the
latter's settlements thereof (usually by quarters) by settlement certificate num-
bers, dates, and amounts found due the United States. The register was con-
tinued until the Director of Finance took over the fiscal business of this office
in 1918.

The purveyors' abstracts exhibited a record of all payments made by
medical disbursing officers, in more or less detail, varying from time to time.
They were kept for many years in numbered bound books, by names of dis-
bursing officers and appropriations disbursed. About 1906 a loose-leaf system
was substituted (in connection with the register of accounts current), which
made it possible to assemble all payments under any one appropriation on
consecutive sheets, by names of disbursing officers. For some years prior to
1917 the abstract or record of vouchers paid was fully itemized, and in connec-
tion with the register of accounts current showed what each disbursing officer
did with the money advanced to him. The record ends about 1918, when the
Director of Finance took over all disbursements.

The three foregoing records were all primary — that is, made up from orig-
inal papers — and noted the fundamental data from which a complete picture
of the fiscal operations of the Medical Department could be drawn. But, as
will be perceived, these data were scattered, and to get the complete picture
some process of assembling and digesting them was desirable. No assembled
record was kept from which the complete picture could be seen. An assembled
record was begun in 1899, taking up all balances on hand in the Treasury and
in the hands of disbursing officers on July 1, 1898, adding thereto the appro-
priations and other debits during 1899, and following the sums to their status
30663—28 4

50 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

June 30, 1899. The same procedure was followed at the close of each fiscal
year until all disbursements were taken over by the Director of Finance. The
resulting compilation was called, for want of a better term, the control ledger,
of which two large volumes were accumulated. This, of course, was a secondary
record, data being posted thereto from (a) the appropriation ledgers, (b) the
register of accounts current, and (c) the purveyors' abstracts. It gave a com-
pact and convenient summary by years, appropriations, officers, and objects
of expenditure for the period covered, of all the fiscal operations of the Medi-
cal Department, and by its checks and counterchecks made sure at the
wind-up of each fiscal year that every dollar of appropriated money had been
accounted for.

The disbursing section prepared occasional vouchers and wrote all the
checks for the local medical disbursing officer. It may be stated in passing
that property accounts at the various medical supply depots were paid by a
disbursing officer thereat, usually the officer in charge, except the depot at
Washington, D. C. It was not the policy of the Surgeon General to have more
than one medical disbursing officer in the same locality. Consequently, pay-
ments for the supplies purchased at the field medical supply depot, Washington,
were made by the medical disbursing officer in the Surgeon General's Office.
Payments for services, both personal and nonpersonal, and for purchases of sup-
plies at places other than regularly established depots were made for the most
part by the disbursing officer in the Surgeon General's Office, although some of
those accounts were sent for payment to the depot disbursing officer nearest
the claimant. Vouchers for such supplies and services were generally prepared
by the officer procuring them, and were transmitted to the Surgeon General's
Office for examination prior to payment. Such vouchers were scrutinized in
the disbursing section and returned for correction when necessary. When the
vouchers were finally completed the checks were written and presented to the
disbursing officer for signature. After receiving his signature they were mailed
to the payee. This section kept its own records of funds received and disbursed
and prepared the abstracts of disbursements and the accounts current of the
disbursing officer whose accounts it handled.

PROPERTY RETURNS SECTION

The property returns section audited and settled the property accounts of
every officer of the Medical Department who was accountable for medical and
hospital property. This section handled invoices, receipts, and returns of Med-
ical Department property. With the requisitions it was not directly concerned.

While the manner of requisitioning medical and hospital supplies and the
channels through which the requisitions passed remained the same as they had
been for many years, the form of return of medical property and the periods
at which it was required to be rendered had materially changed. The annual
return had been discontinued and a return was required only where account-
ability for the property changed. This materially reduced the number of
returns handled. The old cumbersome printed form with its numerous abstracts
of purchases and issues gave place to a small-sized loose-leaf return, with a sep-
arate sheet for each item or article on the return. The sheets for this return

ORGANIZATION FOB ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 51

were so ruled that there were separate columns for the date and voucher number,
receipts, and issues, with space at the bottom in which the name of the article
could be typed or written.

The vouchers, whether issues or receipts, were all carried in a single numer-
ical series. The debit and credit columns were totaled at the foot of the sheet
and the balance noted in the appropriate space. If one sheet were insufficient,
as many more could be used and placed in sequence as the number of entries
required. The return was always prepared in duplicate. Two colors of paper
were used so that no mistake could be made in the final assembly, a white sheet
for the original and a blue sheet for the duplicate. Entries were made as the
invoices came in. The entries on the original sheet were made with an indelible
pencil and those on the duplicate sheet by interposing a sheet of carbon paper
between. The sheets were kept on Shannon files until the last entry for the
quarter had been made, when they were separated and bound into two sets, the
white and the blue. The white, set was forwarded and the blue retained. The
sheets were arranged in the order in which the items appeared on the standard
supply table. The accountable officer certified, on the outside sheet at the
back, to the correctness of the return and the period which it covered. If the
work had been kept up to date it was possible to forward the return within 15
days after the end of the quarter. The intervening period was used for a recheck
of the entries on the return against the vouchers, to insure their accuracy. If
the accountable officers at the depot changed during the quarter, the return
was closed at the date of transfer of accountability and the certificate at the
end of each part of the return signed by both officers. An effort was made,
however, to have the transfer effected at the end of the quarter. Returns from
post and general hospitals and other Medical Department units were required
only when accountability changed by the transfer of the accountable officer to
another station. Entries followed one another in numerical and chronological
sequence throughout this period.

When the invoices were received in the Surgeon General's Office they were
arranged temporarily by the name of the issuing officer, and also by voucher
number, if from a depot. All receipts also were arranged by name of the issuing
officer, and by voucher number if from a depot. Thus both invoices and
receipts were arranged in the same order. At stated intervals all corresponding
invoices and receipts were withdrawn, and casual comparison of the two made
to see that they pertained to the same issue and had no serious discrepancies.
The voucher number of the receiving officer was placed on the brief of the
invoice, together with his name and station. A distinctive check mark was
made on the brief fold of each to indicate that the corresponding voucher had
been received and filed. The invoice was then filed as a charge against the
receiving officer, while the receipt was filed under the proper number as a credit
to the issuing officer.

Search was then made in the files for vouchers corresponding to those not
already paired as indicated above, and, if found, both invoice and receipt were
checked and filed as previously indicated.

The remaining vouchers (those in each incoming mail whose corresponding
voucher was found not to be in the office) either were held temporarily on the

52 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

file clerk's desk for rehandling with the next incoming mail, or temporary pencil
memorandum was made showing that the voucher had been filed but that the
corresponding voucher had not been received, the memorandum being filed in
lieu of the missing invoice or receipt, the voucher itself being filed, if a receipt
as a credit to the issuing officer and if an invoice as a tentative charge against
the officer to whom the issue was made. When the corresponding voucher was
later received, both the invoice and receipt were checked to show that the
corresponding voucher had been received and the voucher last received was
filed and the memorandum slip previously mentioned withdrawn.

Reports of survey, inventory and inspection reports, accounts of sales of
condemned medical property, etc., when received in the office were inspected
for irregularities, returned for correction, if necessary, and when found in proper
order were filed as credits to the accountable officer.

The voucher file was kept alphabetically by name of the accountable officer,
except for medical supply depots, and, in the case of medical supply depots,
first by the name of the depot, second by the quarter to which the voucher
pertained, and third by the voucher number.

The returns when received were immediately recorded in books ruled for
the purpose under the name of the accountable officer, giving the station from
which the return was made and the period which it covered.

The vouchers filed against the officer whose return was being examined
were then gone over and those pertaining to the return in question were with-
drawn for comparison with the return; those of a later period were returned to
file, while those of an earlier period or of a similar period at another place, if found
were made the subject of special investigation and returns were called for if
necessary.

The vouchers pertaining to the return undergoing examination were first
assorted into debit and credit vouchers and then arranged by numbers, if this
had not already been done, and each item on the return was checked with the
corresponding item on the vouchers. Totals on the return were also verified,
and note made of any items improperly dropped as expended.

Slight discrepancies as to expendable articles between the return and
vouchers were usually adjusted in the central office, but all serious errors were
noted and embodied in a discrepancy letter. This letter was sometimes
addressed directly to the office making the return, but more often to the
surgeon at the post or to the officer in charge of the medical supply depot
where the records were presumably filed. Copy of the letter was filed with
the return itself. An additional reason for addressing the surgeon at the post
or depot was that the correction of discrepancies would be likely to affect his
own accountability.

The vouchers were then arranged by number, both debit and credit vouch-
ers in one series, entry in the record book was made to show the date the return
was suspended, and the return, together with the vouchers, was placed in the
suspended file awaiting reply to the discrepancy letter. When the reply was
received, the corrections authorized were made in the return in red ink, brought
forward to date, and the reply was filed with the return as authority for the
changes.

ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 53

The return was then marked " settled " (finally settled if no further account-
ability remained therefor to the officer making the return), and entry to that
effect was made, in the record book with the name of the examiner and date of
settlement. A notice of settlement was sent to the address of the accountable
officer and a copy of the letter filed with the return. The return was then
placed in the permanent alphabetical file of settled returns, a separate file of
such post returns being kept for those ending in each calendar year, depot
returns being filed consecutively by name of the depot.

When certificates or other similar papers were received as vouchers to
account for articles lost or destroyed, unless the property was of trifling value,
they were submitted customarily with a brief memorandum to the officer in
charge of the supply division. The officer marked the memorandum for
acceptance or for such further action as he desired, initialed it, and returned it
to the clerk in charge of the property section. The certificate with the memo-
randum was then filed with the return or with the accountable officer's vouch-
ers as authority for the action indicated.

SUPPLY SECTION

The supply section was charged with all matters relative to the procure-
ment and distribution of medical and hospital supplies. In this section
originated all estimates of quantities of supplies to be purchased during the
fiscal year. Here questions of articles to be added to the standard supply
table were decided, and all orders and instructions concerning purchases were
prepared. The development of new equipment, reserve supplies, specifications
of articles purchased, price index contracts, etc., were all handled by this
section. The finance and property returns sections both handled affairs
already accomplished. The supply section directed and initiated those affairs
and constituted the operating end of the organization. In performing its
mission the supply section called upon the other sections for assistance when
necessary and for special information not otherwise available.

RECORDS SECTION

The old supply division had maintained its own files of correspondence,
requisitions, contracts, etc. Matters of general import were filed in the main
record room of the Surgeon General's Office where they were readily accessible
to all divisions of that office. This separate file, being immediately accessible
and limited to the particular activities of the division, was convenient, econom-
ical, and efficient. It was absorbed by the new finance and supply division
upon its organization and continued to function until the transfer of the divi-
sion to the office of the Director of Purchase and Storage, War Department, in
November, 1918. A separate file for this division was necessary because dur-
ing a part of its war existence the division was located in a building separate
and at a considerable distance from the remainder of the Surgeon General's
Office.

To permit of more rapid filing and ready location of correspondence, a
new vertical filing system was adopted in August, 1917, known as the library
bureau system. Briefly, it was a system of numbering correspondence which

54 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

did not require an index of subjects. The method of numbering consisted
essentially of a numerator and a denominator in which the numbers in the
numerator indicated the subject and the location of the organization, while the
denominator represented the serial number of the particular piece of corre-
spondence with the organization. Thus, 7 Wffi 9 indicates that the particular
letter was number 1137 in the series of communications on supply matters
with the Medical Supply Depot, 713, at New York City, 539. In the general
key to the use of this system, which was very short and simple-, certain figures
and groups of two figures represent certain letters of the alphabet, 71 repre-
senting "su" for supply, and 3 representing the letters D-E when in combina-
tion with a previous group; 713 therefore represents "supply depot," 53
represents the group of letters NI and NE, and stands for new. In this
arrangement 9 stands for Y in York. Wherever in the documentation the
number 713 occurs it represents medical supply depot; 539 in combination
signifies New York, 570 signifies Philadelphia, 30 Atlanta, 644 San Francisco,
etc. The system is so arranged that anyone tolerably familiar with it is enabled
to locate any correspondence if given the name and address of the writer and
the subject matter, or any two of them. No index is required but to have
some record in the event that the correspondence should be lost, a card index
was kept under each file number with the date and subject matter of the
correspondence entered thereon. A limited cross-reference index also was
kept. As with all filing systems it was found necessary at a very early date
in its use to make a number of interpretations of the key and method of use
as applied to the particular kind of correspondence for which it was used. The
method of numbering was rather cumbersome when used in referring to a pre-
vious correspondence, otherwise the system worked satisfactorily. It was able
to carry the load of the great volume of correspondence received during the
last six months of its use; that is, prior to November 24, 1918. Less difficulty
was experienced with it than would have been the case with inexperienced
personnel with the War Department system in the main record room of the
Surgeon General's Office.

MODIFICATION OF ORGANIZATION IN 1918

With the passing of time and the mounting multitude of details which
required the attention of the central office, details were centralized under selected
personnel organized into groups or sections, to handle particular duties.
These new sections were formed as the need arose. Practically all of them
had come into being by the end of March, 1918. The duties of the finance and
supply division on April 1, 1918, were distributed essentially as given below,
although there was no formal organization to that effect. Each section operated
more or less as an independent unit. The grouping as given below is an arrange-
ment largely by function rather than a definite organization prescribed in orders
from the Surgeon General or the division chief.

1. Administrative subdivision.

(a) Personnel section.

(b) Records.

ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 55

2. Procurement subdivision.

(a) Requirements section.

(6) Contracts and authorization section.

(c) Statistical section.

(d) Finance section.

(e) Trouble section.

(/) Board of contract review.

3. Storage and issue subdivision.

(a) Issue section.

(b) Tabulation section.

(c) Transportation section.

{d) Property accounts section.

(e) Overseas requirements section.

(f) Equipment section.

(g) Biological section.

4. Ambulance subdivision."

(a) Production and inspection section.

(b) Experimental section.

(c) Drafting section.

In general the administrative and procurements subdivisions were under
the supervision and direction of the chief of the division, while the storage and
issue and the ambulance subdivisions reported to the assistant chief of the
division. The functions and duties of the various subdivisions and sections
were so interrelated that instruction to all of them at times emanated from
the assistant chief of the division as well as from the chief. The correlation
of the work of different sections was so intimate that many of the questions
constantly arising were settled by conferences between the section chiefs.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISION

PERSONNEL SECTION

To meet the need of personnel trained in supply, a section for that purpose
was established early in the finance and supply division. It kept in close con-
tact with the supply depots in the camps, advised in the selection of the enlisted
personnel for that service, directed the courses of instruction to be given,
followed the progress of individuals up through various grades of noncommis-
sioned officers, selected, upon the recommendation of the various camp medical
supply officers, noncommissioned officers to be sent to selected schools for
training them for higher duties in the supply service, and out of those so trained
selected the most suitable men for commissions for duty as camp and divisional
supply officers. This section arranged for the selection of limited service men
for duties in the home land in matters of supply, and as clerks and stenographers.

RECORDS SECTION

The records section has been described above and it need here only be
stated that the growth of the volume of correspondence handled resulted in a
distinct division of duties, an information desk, a files section, an index section,
and a requisitions section.

•This subdivision is not treated in this chapter; it is given full consideration in Chap. XX.— Ed.

56 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

PROCUREMENT SUBDIVISION

The procurement subdivision handled all matters pertaining to purchases
in bulk or for stock.

The issue section of the storage and issue subdivision gave instructions for
the purchase of nonstandard articles on approved requisitions. Here estimates
of quantities of supplies to be procured were prepared and their prospective
costs estimated. Estimates for funds were also compiled here and prepared
for presentation to Congress. Contracts were scrutinized and approved if
found correct and reasonable, or returned for such modifications as might be
indicated. Statistics covering purchases and issues were tabulated and kept in
such form as to be readily available to furnish any information relative to the
state of supplies which might be called for. Vouchers were prepared and pay-
ments made. Administrative examination was given the disbursing officers
accounts. Progress reports were checked; and if production did not keep pace
with the contract, investigations of the causes of delay were initiated and
assistance rendered the manufacturer in matters of fuel, raw material, labor,
transportation service and priorities.

CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZATION SECTION

Under existing regulations no purchase of medical and hospital supplies
could be made except under authority from the Surgeon General's Office. Some-
times this authority was general in character but always limited to the fiscal
year in which given. It expired on June 30 and was to be renewed if the need
therefor continued. These authorizations generally were given in the form of
a permission to expend a definite sum, either monthly, quarterly, or annually,
for prescribed purposes. They were limited to purpose but not in detail. For
example, authority was granted to the commanding officers of all camps to
expend $100 per month for the purchase of medical and hospital supplies. If
it became necessary to exceed this allotment in any month to save life or to
prevent suffering, a report of the fact to the Surgeon General's Office was
required. All medical officers were authorized under provisions in the Manual
for the Medical Department at all times to make purchases of medical supplies
for military personnel in emergency to prevent loss of life or to prevent suffering.
In such cases a full report of the circumstances and conditions which made the
purchase necessary was forwarded by the medical officer who authorized or
made the purchase, with the vouchers in payment of the purchase. If the
reasons given in this report were satisfactory to the central office the vouchers
were paid; if not, the vouchers were returned to the medical officer authorizing
or making the purchase, to be paid out of private funds.

Authorities for the purchase of supplies for stock were always for a specified
quantity, and purchases were expected to be initiated within a reasonable time
thereafter. Information of the quantities actually purchased was obtained
from copies of the contracts on file in the central office, reports of open-market
purchases furnished at stated periods by the purchasing depots, and from the
quarterly returns of property rendered by those depots. Every contract bore,
in the prescribed place, the authority or approval of the Surgeon General and

ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING Sl'PPEY MATTERS 57

was cited on all vouchers covering payment for the supplies authorized by the
contract. Every purchase order, and voucher for the articles delivered thereon,
bore a notation of the authority from the Surgeon General's Office for the
purchase so made. This notation gave the date and file number of the
authority.

A record of quantities purchased, by item, was kept in the statistical section,
showing the name of the vendor and the price paid. This record was kept
current in order that the office might have a record at all times of the latest
prices paid. It disclosed the rise and fall in prices and the variation in price
paid the different vendors for the same article purchased at the same date or
closely approximated dates. It enabled the finance and supply division to
detect abnormal prices and to initiate investigations of excessive prices or to
call for the reasons for making purchases at the higher prices. It served as an
efficient check upon purchasing officers, and permitted comparisons of prices
paid in different parts of the country.

Army Regulations, based upon the requirements of law and the regulations
of the accounting officers of the Treasury Department, prescribed the manner
in which supplies should be purchased and contracts prepared and executed.
In order to insure prompt settlement of disbursing officers' accounts these
requirements had to be observed. The contracts and purchase orders were
examined to assure their conformity with these regulations.

No small difficulty arose from the failure of officers in writing contracts
and purchase orders to follow the nomenclature prescribed in the standard
supply tables of the Medical Department. Not infrequently the article
described by the name in the supply tables had other names in the trade.
These trade names were used in common parlance in the the depots and, unless
care was exercised, they would creep into contracts, purchase orders, vouchers,
and property papers, making difficult an effectual check of the property return.'
The effort of the finance and supply division was continuously required to
overcome this tendency and to assure correctness in nomenclature.

STATISTICAL SECTION

The duties of this section were substantially as follows: (1) To maintain
a record of purchases by article, showing contract or order number, date, con-
tractor, quantity, unit price, total obligated, f. o. b. point, deliveries, and date
completed. (2) To maintain a record, by article, of the deliveries promised in
the contract. The report to the statistics section of the General Staff had to
show the promised deliveries of each article reported on. (3) To maintain a
record of actual deliveries, by article, by weeks. This record showed the con-
tract number, date, contractor, total contracted for, and deliveries by weeks.
The information was included in the biweekly report of the finance and supply
division to the statistics section, General Staff. (4) To maintain a record of
shipments to ports of embarkation and deliveries to the transport service. A
separate record was kept of each port of embarkation. The record of ports
other than New York and Locust Point (Baltimore) were simple and required
little work. This information, also, was included in the biweekly report of the
finance and supply division. (5) To maintain a record of ambulances and

58

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

motor cycles by factory numbers and also by detachments to which they were
assigned or transferred. (6) To maintain a record by contractors of articles
purchased by the general purchasing office.

This section compiled the data upon which orders for the periodic purchase
of supplies were based. From these computations of probable requirements in
supplies were compiled the estimates for funds to be presented to Congress for
such additional appropriations as appeared to be necessary.

Records of actual consumption of supplies by large bodies of troops under
training camp, field, and combat conditions, so far as the Medical Department
was concerned, did not exist at the declaration of war. The experiences of the
Civil War were no longer applicable had they been available in a concrete and
practicable form. The experiences of the Spanish-American War, because of
the shortness of its duration and the shortage of supplies, served but little
purpose other than to impress upon the minds of the administrative officers
the need for adequate quantities on the supply table. The experiences of peace
time under the economy complex everywhere enforced, and the rigid sanitary
measures enforced at all military stations, were only a guide. The annual
allowances of many articles given in the standard supply were seldom sufficient
for even peace-time requirements, although others were in excess of the needs.
Field requirements had of necessity to be based largely on the observation,
experience, and judgment of the individual officer. The experiences of the
Mexican border mobilization in 1916 would have been of material value had
there been time and personnel to make a critical analysis of the quantities
used. Therefore, in determining the quantities to be provided in the initial
purchases after the declaration of war, recourse was had to the simple expedi-
ent of multiplying the annual allowances on the standard supply table for a
post of 1,000 troops by 1,000 and the supplies in the field equipment of a divi-
sion by the number of divisions or equivalent number of troops, and that by a
number obtained by dividing the number of months in a year by the period
the expendable supplies in the field equipment was expected to last. This gave
the theoretical quantities required. Instructions were given accordingly, to
purchase the supplies required for a million men for one year. As statistics of
the consumption of supplies at the various camps and posts became available,
they were utilized in the preparation of requirements for purchases and of esti-
mates for funds.

The development of an automatic supply for troops overseas, wherein a
definite quantity of every article required for one month for a body of 25,000
troops was stated, also served to make the subsequent statements of require-
ments in supplies more definite and exact. This automatic supply plan will
be described in the chapter dealing with the shipment of supplies to France.

FINANCE SECTION

The functions of this section, under the organization of 1918, continued as
previously described. Changing conditions of procurement required correspond-
ing changes in the administrative details of this section. The development at
the beginning of the calendar year 1918, of the Medical Department general

ORGANIZATION" FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 59

purchasing office in Washington (see Chap. IX), necessitated innovations and
changes in procedure, somewhat at variance with existing customs.

All purchases prior to the establishment of the general purchasing office
had been made at the several supply depots, military posts, and stations. There
was an officer at each of these places who received and accounted for the prop-
erty so purchased and received. When the general purchasing office was estab-
lished difficulties at once arose concerning the method by which accountability
should lie. It was not desirable that a property return should be made by the
general purchasing office on account of the added burden in commissioned and
civilian personnel and the office space required to keep such a return. Financial
conditions throughout the country called for prompt payment of accounts.
Many of the manufacturers had found it necessary to increase their facilities
which, in turn, involved the securing of additional capital with which to carry
out these expansions. Large sums were required to meet payments for raw or
semifinished materials and for the weekly pay roll of employees.

These conditions required a modification of distributing and accounting
procedure. To meet these new requirements a system was devised whereby
supplies were accepted f. o. b. cars at the contractor's plant, after proper inspec-
tion, and the contractor's invoice and properly authenticated bill of lading were
accepted as delivery upon which payment could be made. Since all purchases
were made from reputable manufacturers, it was believed that any discrepancies
in quantities when checked at destination would be rectified by the contractor
and adjustments made on subsequent vouchers as needed. This permitted
payment within a comparatively few days after shipment and doubtless served
to tide many manufacturers through periods of stress which they could not
otherwise have weathered. In such cases the purchasing officer signed the
vouchers but did not assume accountability for the property so purchased.
Accountability was assumed directly by the officer who received it. A
description of the method by which this was effected follows.

Progress reports were required from manufacturer on all orders and con-
tracts. Whenever, from these reports or letters from the vendor, information
was received that supplies were ready for shipment, notice of the amount
available was sent by the general purchasing office to the transportation branch
of the finance and supply division, where the necessary shipping instructions
were entered on appropriate blank forms and sent to the contractor, who loaded
the supplies on cars, completed the bills of lading, secured signature of the
transportation company to the original and all memorandum copies of the bills
of lading, and distributed these bills of lading as directed in the printed instruc-
tions which accompanied them. The copies of the memorandum bills of lading
forwarded to the Surgeon General's Office were accompanied by properly certi-
fied invoices or bills of the contractor for the property shipped. When these
papers were received in the finance section vouchers were prepared and the
account paid.

At the same time that the bills of lading were prepared in the transpor-
tation section a shipping order was made up for the contractor and invoice-
receipts for the consignee. The shipping order was printed on blue paper;
the invoice-receipts were made out on pink, yellow, green, and white sheets,

60 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

each color intended for i» specific purpose. Identical information appeared on
the upper two-thirds of this form. The lower third of the shipping order
contained instructions to the contractor covering shipping requirements. The
lower third on the invoice-receipt covered action to be taken by the receiving
officer. With the Bhipping order was sent a data card to be filled in by the
shipper and mailed to the transportation section in an addressed envelope
inclosed for the purpose. This card was used primarily by that section for
tracing shipments.

When the green sheet, duly signed by the receiving officer, was received in
the returns section it was accepted as a receipt in the same manner as the
standard M.l). form of invoice-receipt. The yellow copy served as a notice
to the tabulation section of the pending shipment and to initiate an entry on
the records of that branch. When the green sheet passed through that
branch it confirmed the original entry, or if it differed from the yellow sheet
was corrected accordingly.

Vol CHKHINc; l»i Kl'll VSKS

In vouchering purchases the following routine was used: (1) Shipping
order received from director of shipments; (2) memorandum bill of lading
received from contractor, showing shipment ; bill (invoice) of vendor; (3) con-
tract withdrawn from contract branch; (4) vouchers constructed from facts in
hand; (5) vouchers certified by purchasing officer; (6) voucher transmitted to
vendor for signature to certificate; (7) voucher received back, recorded on
claims record, and audited for payment; (8) voucher paid by disbursing
officer.

STORAGE AND I8SUE SUBDIVISION

This subdivision assumed charge of supplies as soon as the order or contract
was placed, except for priorities and production reports, which were handled
by the procurement subdivision. Assistance to the manufacturers in the mat-
ter of rail or water transportation were handled by the transportation section.
If assumed all duties incident to the distribution of supplies, including storage
facilities. Requisitions were examined and approved or modified. Overseas
requirements were calculated and shipping instructions given. Records were
kept of the state of supplies at all depots. This information, although not
entirely accurate because a complete and satisfactory inventory could not be
obtained, ami because of the failure of the depots to keep the central office sup-
plied with accurate information concerning the receipts of supplies, proved to
be very helpful. However, given an accurate report of stock on hand, the sys-
tem followed would have enabled this section to know what would be the state
of supplies a week to ten days in advance of any given date instead of less
timely information. The office record of issues was made from requisitions
immediately after their approval by the officers designated to examine them
and before they were forwarded to the depots for issue.

ISSUE SECTION

For many years prior to 1917 requisitions for articles not on the standard
supply table and for quantities of standard articles in excess of the quantities
authorized in the supply table had been required by regulations to be forwarded

ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 61

to the Surgeon General for the action of his office before such articles were
purchased or such excess issues made. The controlling reason for this regu-
lation was the meagerness of funds available for the purchase of supplies and
the consequent need of close scrutiny of all expenditures. With the mobilizing
of the increasing number of troops during the latter half of the calendar year
1917, these special requisitions increased at such a rate that it became necessary
to assign qualified officers to whole-time duty on this subject alone. Other offi-
cers gave part-time service as needed, or performed other duties in connection
with their work on requisitions.

Originally it was contemplated that department or division surgeons would
be authorized to approve replenishment requisitions for the camps and canton-
ments and forward them direct to the depots designated to supply them. It
soon became evident that excessive quantities of supplies were being entered
on these requisitions and approved by the division or camp surgeons, quantities
which could not be supplied if all camps were to have enough to meet actual
needs. It was considered necessary to require that all requisitions from camps,
cantonments, and military stations be forwarded to the Surgeon General'
Office for action before issue. Their excess quantities were reduced to some-
thing like reasonable quantities and shipments were ordered from depots known
to have available stocks. This caused some delay and dissatisfaction, but it
eliminated the hoarding of supplies, reduced the reserve stock to a minimum,
and tided the Medical Department over critical periods, which otherwise would
not have been possible. At a later date camp medical supply officers were
required to forward their requisitions for supplies monthly. A careful record
was kept of all issues during the month, and the quantities so issued were
entered in the first column, on the requisition opposite the item. In the second
column was entered the stock on hand, and in the third column the quantities
required, which represented for every article three times the quantities issued
during the preceding month, less the quantity in stock. This method assured
a month's supply in the warehouses, a month's supply in transit, and the third
month required for. It took some time to familiarize supply officers with the
method, but it was ultimately effected and appeared to work satisfactorily.
This branch acted on requisitions for the various kinds of supplies — post, field,
dental, laboratory, X-ray, veterinary, and motor. When the requisitions were
received in the Surgeon General's Office they were numbered, and one copy
was sent to the officer designated to handle the particular class of supplies.
That officer scrutinized the requisition, called for such information from the
tabulation section as he found requisite to a proper decision, modified the quan-
tities of such articles as he deemed in excess or unnecessary, and returned the
requisition to the issue section, where the alterations or erasures made by the
approving officers were entered on all copies of the requisition, items no longer
issued were erased, and the issuing depot was determined by the nature of the
materials and the location of the station making the requisition. Letters and
indorsements of transmittal then were written and submitted to the approving
officers for signature, after which the signed copy was mailed to the depot des-
ignated to make the issue. The second copy was returned to the requisitioning
officer for his information concerning the action of the approving authority.

62 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The third copy was filed under its proper number. Instructions required that
there be separate requisitions for each class of supplies. This shortened the
time and lessened the work of the finance and supply division. It also permit-
ted reference of the particular class of supplies to the appropriate depot with-
out extracting any part of it to another depot. Veterinary supplies could be
examined by the veterinary assistant in the finance section, dental supplies by
the dental assistant, X-ray supplies by the roentgenologists, etc., each group
being handled by an expert in that line. The business transacted by this
section had reached such volume in April, 1918, that the daily mail averaged
150 pieces requiring signature of the approving officers. This volume continued
to increase until the armistice, although there are no records extant for the
later periods.

TABULATION SECTION

This section was established in February, 1918, to meet the growing need
for adequate information concerning the location and availability of supplies
and the consumption at posts, camps, cantonments, and general hospitals.
Requirements seemed to increase at a rate difficult to be met by production.
It seemed necessary to have a ready record of the quantities of supplies issued
to each camp medical supply depot for the guidance of the officers approving
requisitions. Dependence could not be placed upon the property returns because
they were too slow in coming in. It was concluded that this delay could be
overcome and the future state of stocks determined by entering on the record,
as a charge against the unit submitting the requisition, the quantities on each
requisition approved by the officers who authorized the issue. It was assumed
that the standard items were or would shortly be in stock at the depot desig-
nated to issue. This section, then, virtually kept a stock record card for every
unit to which the distributing depots made issues. As previously stated, the
chief difficulty lay in securing correct and complete inventories of supplies at
the depots to serve as a starting point. It was easy enough to keep the record
of approved issues, but it was difficult for some time to determine the approxi-
mate quantities available for issue.

The functions of the tabulation section were, in general, to compile and
tabulate all information having to do with the issue of medical and hospital
supplies.

TRANSPORTATION SECTION

This section was organized in October, 1917, primarily for overseas ship-
ments, to keep in touch with the embarkation service, and to move supplies to
the ports of embarkation for loading on transports. Later, as the organization
developed and Government bills of lading came to be more and more used, it
took over all matters pertaining to rail and water shipments. It supervised,
as its name indicates, the transportation of medical and hospital supplies. It
was in close liaison with the Railway Administration, and by personal affiliation
was enabled to secure needed information promptly and to obtain cars for the
movement of contractors' supplies as well as for those of the Medical Depart-
ment. It had a representative in the office of the director of inland transpor-
tation after that service was organized. It arranged for all shipping releases

ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 63

and had much to do with the movement of supplies from the manufacturers'
establishments to the various depots and ports of embarkation. It kept a record
of the tonnage going overseas, at the port, en route, and under orders. It fol-
lowed all the carload inland shipments from the point of manufacture to desti-
nation. After the organization of the general purchasing office this section
looked after the distribution of the supplies purchased by that ofliee. When
the monthly shipment of supplies to France had been compiled, the requisition
was referred to this section for direct shipments from the manufacturer to the
ports of such supplies as could be so routed. It arranged for the releases,
then required, and issued the necessary instructions concerning the numbering
and other marks to be put upon the packages to be shipped. When it became
necessary under the instructions of the director of inland transportation to secure
transportation orders from that office, this section developed those orders and
distributed them, notifying the contractor, the consignee, and all other parties
concerned. A representative on duty in the office of the director of embark-
ation kept an itemized record of all articles shipped overseas, with dates of
shipment, quantities, and names of vessels on which forwarded. This section
kept a card record file of all shipments in carload lots made by all medical
supply depots in the United States, and until June 30, 1918, by the Gas Defense
Service.

PROPERTY ACCOUNTS SECTION

There was no change in the functions and duties of this section during 1918.

OVERSEAS REQUIREMENTS SECTION

The work of this section was handled almost entirely by one officer of the
Sanitary Corps. It began to function when, in the early autumn of 1917, the
first newly organized combat division was ordered overseas, and continued
until the end of December, 1918, when the need for additional supplies to
France practically ceased. When instructions were received in 1917 to ship
initial equipment and four months' replenishment for units going overseas, and
to ship monthly one month's replenishment for every combat division already
overseas, 5 lists were prepared showing the quantities of every article on the
supply table needed by the authorized number of base hospitals for a division
and by the divisional medical units for one month. These quantities were cal-
culated upon the best information available with 26,000 troops and 4 base
hospitals per division as the basis. The plan followed was to multiply the
quantities required monthly for 25,000 by a factor which represented the
number of times that many troops expected to be in France during the month
to which the shipment applied. The factor for a force of 300,000 would be 12,
for 500,000 it would be 20, and so on. The factor used in the last calculation,
which was for the month of January, 1919, was 135. Shipments for that month
were never made. The factors were determined from the schedule of troop
movements furnished the Surgeon General from time to time by The Adjutant
General and the chief of the embarkation service. Formal requisitions for
each class of supplies were prepared for each month's shipment, and a sufficient
number of copies were made to provide one copy each for the issuing depot,
the office files, the assistant chief of the division, and the chief of the section.

64 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

EQUIPMENT SECTION

With a view of furnishing the commanding officer of every unit with clear
and concise information concerning the entire equipment to he provided his
organization, War Department tables of equipment accompanied tables of
organization. These tables of equipment showed the particular articles the
different supply services of the Army were expected to furnish any particular
organization provided for in official tables of organization. They were printed
on the loose-leaf system to facilitate the frequent changes as they occurred.
The several supply services showed this equipment in their respective manuals
and regulations, but the information was scattered and not readily available to
new organizations, hence the need for a compilation to show under the title of
each organization the total equipment authorized for that particular unit. To
meet these requirements for the Medical Department, an equipment section
was added to the organization of the finance and supply division. A represent-
ative of this section worked in conjunction with representatives from the
other supply services and The Adjutant General's Office on the compilation of
these tables of equipment. As rapidly as the tables were completed, they were
printed and distributed to the Army. Loose-leaf binders were provided for
their proper filing and preservation. These tables had not been entirely
completed when the armistice was signed.

LIAISON SECTION

Growing out of the discussions of consolidation of procurement and finance
which began early in the calendar year 1918, certain officers of each supply
service were designated to represent their respective services. These officers
were designated liaison officers. After the consolidation of procurement had
been ordered, liaison officers were required to keep in touch with the progress
of procurement being made for the Medical Department by other supply
services. As many officers on full-time liaison duty were designated as the
current needs required. Other officers in charge of special activities, such as
motor ambulances, acted as liaison officers for their particular specialties.
These officers maintained contact with the other services and such superior
organizations as were required by regulations. This included, for the Medical
Department, the War Industries Board and its various commodity groups, the
Railway Administration, the Fuel Administration, the Labor Administration,
the Treasury Department, the Bureau of Mines of the Department of the
Interior, the Navy Department, and the several subservices of the War Depart-
ment — Quartermaster Corps, Ordnance Department, Signal Corps, Air Service,
and Engineer Corps. It was expected, by means of these liaison officers, to
keep the activities of supply coordinated. From the middle of August, 1918,
to the time of the signing of the armistice, the officers in liaison with the other
supply services were kept very busy. The development of a new system of
supply in the middle of the stream of war activity threw a very heavy burden
upon both the procuring agencies and the liaison officers. It also resulted in
a marked slowing in the placing of contracts and in the deliveries of supplies.

This section was charged also with matters pertaining to priorities. Every
contract placed required an authorization fom the War Industries Board and

ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 65

was given a priority rating in accordance with the procedure fixed by that

board. The question of priorities will be further discussed in the section on

procurement.

PRODUCTION INSPECTION SECTION

In the summer and fall of 1918, a decided slowing of production was
noticed on many contracts. Production did not progress as it should; deliveries
were not made according to schedule. Various excuses for these delays were
given. To investigate these delays, and to accelerate the rate of production,
several officers were sent into the field to visit the plants of the delinquent
manufacturers, to ascertain, if possible, what were the real reasons for the
unsatisfactory progress then being made, and to assist in overcoming the
difficulties which were found to exist. 6 For want of a better name these officers
were designated as expediters, and a section was established in the finance and
supply division to direct and coordinate the work in the field and to keep in
close contact with the control agencies of the Government in Washington. If
the difficulty was found to be shortage of fuel, the facts elicited by the investi-
gation were presented to the Federal Fuel Administrator, and adjustments of fuel
allotments obtained. If the difficulty was labor trouble, the investigator
attempted to adjust the matter as mediator between the workmen and the
employer. The investigator not infrequently succeeded in bettering the work-
men's condition and in adjusting their differences with their employer. An
appeal to the loyalty of both often did much good. If the difficulty was due to
a local shortage of labor, the difficulty was presented to the Labor Administrator
and the shortage overcome. If the difficulty proved to be a shortage of raw or
semifinished materials, or of transportation, the difficulty was brought to the
attention of the proper governmental agency and its assistance solicited in the
solution of the problem. These expediters were stationed at central points
from which they covered the area and plants assigned to them. The reports
rendered by them enabled the Surgeon General's Office to keep in close touch
with the progress of manufacture under the various contracts and orders out-
standing, to form a better estimate of future deliveries, and determine whether
the ever-increasing requirements could be met. While not every difficulty was
removed nor every demand met, these expediters proved to be a valuable asset
in speeding up production.

REFERENCES

(1) Orders, January 16, 1899, signed by Surg. Gen. George M. Sternberg. On file, Record

Room, S. G. O., 50882 (Old Files)

(2) S. O. 85, W. D. April 13, 1917.

(3) S. O. 114, W. D. May 17, 1917.

(4) Orders, September 20, 1917, signed by Surg. Gen. W. C. Gorgas. On file, Record Room,

S. G. O., 50882 (Old Files).

(5) Memorandum, G. H. Q., A. E. F., August 20, 1917. Subject: Automatic supply. Copy

on file, Historical Division, S. G. O. Also: Cable No. 145-S from General Pershing
to The Adjutant General, September 7, 1917.

(6) Letter from the Surgeon General to medical supply officers, August 17, 1918. Subject:

Headquarters for district officers, production department. On file, Finance and Sup-

. tv • • q ^ r, 713 Misc.
ply Division, S, G. O., ™ •

30663—28 5

CHAPTER II

STORING AND DISTRIBUTING AGENCIES; USING AGENCIES

MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS

IN EXISTENCE WHEN WE ENTERED THE WORLD WAR

At the end of March, 1917, there were in operation within the continental
limits of the United States, six medical supply depots, located at New York
City; Washington, D. C; St. Louis, Mo.; San Francisco, Calif.; San Antonio,
Tex.; and El Paso, Tex. The depots at San Antonio and El Paso had been
established in 1916 for the supply of troops mobilized on the Mexican border;
the other depots had functioned as such for many years. The general organ-
ization of all these depots at the declaration of war, April 0, 1917, was essen-
tially the same, although no attempt had ever been made to standardize their
methods and render them entirely uniform. Each succeeding officer in charge
of a depot made such minor changes in its interior administration as seemed
to him appropriate and advisable.

PERSONNEL

Commissioned

Each depot was under the charge of an officer of the Medical Department,
selected because of his special qualifications for that work. When practicable
an assistant was assigned to duty as an understudy; the remaining personnel
of the depot forces were civilian employees.

Civilian- Employees

The civilian employees in the supply depots were of two classes, those
whose duties were unskilled manual labor only and those of higher grade. The
former were subject to labor regulations promulgated by the President; the
latter were classified employees subject to civil-service rules.

The labor regulations governed the employment of unskilled labor in Federal
offices in nearly all the large cities of the United States. To secure the service
of laborers under these regulations, application for the certification of eligibles
was made by the officer in charge to the local board of labor employment.
From such certifications suitable laborers were selected. The number and
compensation of unskilled laborers and workmen in the depots were determined
by the Surgeon General under the direction of the Secretary of War. No
workman or laborer was permanently employed by the month without author-
ity from the Surgeon General, nor at a salary of more than $150 a month without
special authority from the Secretary of War. They could be reduced or dis-
charged at the discretion of the Surgeon General, as the interests of the service
required. In emergencies, temporary laborers could be employed under labor

f-7

68 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

regulations, if applicable, without previous authority but at not more than
$0.25 an hour. If the position of an unskilled laborer or workman, employed
at less than $60 per month by authority from the Surgeon General, became
vacant the vacancy might be rilled without new authority but a report of the
change was to be made promptly to the Surgeon General. Persons employed
as unskilled laborers or workmen could not be assigned to work of the grade
performed by classified employees.

Civil employees, above the grade of unskilled laborer or workman, were
appointed by the Secretary of War upon the recommendation of the Surgeon
General, selection being made from the list of eligibles furnished by the United
States Civil Service Commission or by reinstatements or transfers by the Sec-
retary of War under civil-service rules. Their number and compensation were
authorized by the Secretary of War and their promotion, reduction, and removal
determined by him upon the recommendation of the Surgeon General. Their
assignment to and transfer between stations at home or abroad were regulated
by the Surgeon General under the Secretary's direction. If a vacancy occurred
among them by death or otherwise, the officer in charge promptly reported to
the Surgeon General whether it was necessary to fill the vacancy, in which
event he submitted a recommendation for promotion or for an original appoint-
ment, as was appropriate. Temporary appointments without examination and
certification by the Civil Service Commission, pending permanent appointment,
promotion, or transfer, were not made by the Secretary to any classified position
except when the public emergency required it, and then only upon the prior
authorization of the commission. Such appointments continued only for the
period necessary to make appointment through certification of eligibles or by
promotion or transfer, and in no case without prior approval of the commission
would they extend beyond 30 days from the receipt of the Secretary's certifica-
tion or beyond 30 days from the date of the temporary appointment. Recom-
mendations for the promotion of classified employees originated with the officer
under whose supervision the employee was serving. No recommendations
originating otherwise were considered. Classified employees were promoted,
reduced, or discharged only by the Secretary of War, but the officer under whom
they were serving had authority to suspend them from duty and pay for a
cause. In such cases he informed the suspended employee the reason for his
suspension and gave him three days in which to answer the same in writing.
If the answer was satisfactory the employee might be restored, without further
action, to duty and pay. If no reply was received at the end of three days,
or if the reply was unsatisfactory, the officer in charge reported his action,
his reasons therefor, and his recommendations in the premises (together with
the written answer received by him, if any) to the Surgeon General for the
information and action of the Secretary of War. Every appointment, promo-
tion, reduction, or discharge of a civil employee, temporary or permanent, made
by an officer of the Medical Department, was required to be reported promptly
to the Surgeon General, with the name of the person concerned, the date of
change, and citation of the authority therefor. In case of death the date and
place of death were given; in case of death or discharge the date to which the

ORGANIZATION FOB ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 69

employee was paid and by what officer. Records were kept in each office of
the name and address of the nearest relative to be notified of an employee's
death.

Each officer under whom the classified employees of the Medical Depart-
ment were serving, prepared and forwarded to the Surgeon General, on June 30
and December 31 of each year, a report of their efficiency during the preceding
six months. Attendance, ability, adaptability, habits, and application, each
marked separately on the scale of 100, were the factors considered in determining
the efficiency of each employee. The names in each class or grade were entered
on the efficiency report in the order of merit, those with the same efficiency
rating being arranged in accordance with length of the service in the Medical
Department. Promotions in the classified service were made in the order of
merit as established in the last semiannual efficiency report, subject to such
examination as might be ordered under civil-service rules. Employees who
failed during any six months to attain a rating of 70 in efficiency were regarded
as deficient in their respective classes and were subject to regrading, and, at the
discretion of the officer under whom they were serving, were reported to the
Surgeon General for reduction. Those employees whose rating on two consecu-
tive reports fell below 70 were invariably reported for reduction. If the rating
of any employee on two consecutive reports fell below 60 in efficiency or below
50 in application, habits, or ability, he was required to be reported for discharge.

The following records and files were required to be kept at all medical
supply depots: Correspondence, funds received and expended, purchase orders
and contracts given for medical and hospital supplies, articles received, articles
expended, requisitions, issues, articles on hand, invoices of packages turned over
to the quartermaster for shipment, contents of packages, and employees. A
proper return on Forms 17, 17A, and 17C were required to be forwarded at the
end of each quarter and a duplicate copy of the return, with a complete set of
vouchers retained in the files of the depot. Other reports and returns were
made from time to time as required by the Surgeon General.

DEPOT ACTIVITIES

The activities at each depot may be classed under the heads purchasing,
receiving, storage, issuing, shipping, finance, returns, and records. 1 These activi-
ties were carried on under the supervision of the officer in charge by a chief
clerk, a receiving clerk, a shipping clerk who was also in charge of storage or
warehousing, a finance clerk, a returns clerk, a chief packer, and such number
of clerks, packers, laborers, and watchmen as might be necessary for the volume
of business of the particular depot. At the smaller depots two or more of the
activities might be supervised by a single clerk. A chief clerk usually assumed
the duties of purchasing. He had such assistants for this purpose as he required.

The purchasing department of the depot had charge of all matters relating
to the actual purchase of supplies. Here were prepared the circulars of adver-
tisement for the semiannual or other large purchases. The bids were preserved
until the day of opening, when they were opened, read, and abstracted and
awards made. Contracts were written, and when duly signed were sent to the

70 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

contractor for signature; when duly signed by both the contractor and contract-
ing officer, they were forwarded to the Surgeon General for approval. When
advice of the approval by the Surgeon General of all contracts pertaining to
the articles on a particular circular of advertisement was received, copies of the
contract were forwarded to the returns office, Department of the Interior, for
file, as required by law. Formal and informal quotations were solicited and
purchase orders written when the amounts did not exceed $500. Records were
kept, by commodity, of the date on which the contract or order was placed,
the name of the firm to whom the order was given, and the unit price paid.
Purchase orders were filed serially and, together with the contracts, provided
the basis for the information which was entered on the record of articles pur-
chased. Samples submitted were comparatively the standard sample. Esti-
mates of supplies needed by the depot were prepared in this section and forwarded
to the Surgeon General for authority to make the necessary purchase. Copies
of contracts and purchase orders were furnished the receiving clerk, who checked
against them the bills received from the vendors at the time of delivery of the
articles purchased.

The receiving department took charge of all supplies immediately upon
their delivery where the vendor checked the quantities against the contract
or purchase order and reported the fact to the officer who had charge of
inspection. As soon as the supplies were inspected they were turned over to
the shipping department for storage or to the issue department for issue, as
the case might be. The bills were then forwarded to the chief clerk, who
turned them over to the finance clerk for the preparation of necessary vouch-
ers. The shipping department warehoused the supplies which were received
for storage and later delivered them to the issue department or marked them
for issue in accordance with instructions received from the issue department
to fill requisitions. For the issue department there was provided a suitable
room and counters for facility in making issues. The common routine, when
a requisition was received by the chief clerk, was for one of the packers to
collect from the shelves and place on the counter all articles on the requisition
where the quantities were less than those contained in the original packages
received from the manufacturer. These articles were then assembled by
classes and in quantities appropriate to the customary size of packing boxes.
The quantities to be placed in each box were determined and a list was pre-
pared to show the articles and quantities in each box. This list was com-
monly called a packer's list. A copy was retained in the packing room and
the original forwarded to the officer to whom the supplies were consigned. A
list of original packages was then furnished the shipping department. These
packages were collected in the shipping room and marked in accordance with
package numbers furnished by the chief packer. As soon as all the articles
available in stock had been packed and prepared for shipment the requisition
was checked to show the articles and quantities issued and those still due.
The requisition was then referred to the return department, where invoices and
receipts were prepared and mailed to the consignee. Invoices of packages
turned over to the quartermaster were then prepared either by the returns
department or the shipping department and delivered to the local depot

ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 71

quartermaster, who sent the necessary transportation to remove it from the
warehouse to the railway station for shipment. One copy of the invoice of
packages was receipted by the quartermaster making the shipment, and when
the supplies were delivered to him or his representative responsibility of the
medical officer for them ceased. The shipping department not only ware-
housed the supplies received and attended to the shipping but it also kept a
record of the package and package numbers contained in each shipment,
together with the dates they were delivered to the quartermaster for shipment.

Five copies of the invoice receipt forms, 23, 24, 28, or 31, were prepared.
Two copies were signed on the invoice side by the medical supply officer, one
copy of which was forwarded to the Surgeon General and one copy, accompa-
nied by two unsigned copies, were forwarded to the consignee. The fifth copy
was temporarily retained by the returns department for use in the preparation
of the quarterly return of medical property.

The return of medical property was kept on Forms M. D. 17A and 17B.
The A series were white sheets and the B series were blue ones. In keeping
the return the name of the article was typed at the bottom of the sheet on
both the white and blue copies. These sheets were arranged in accordance
with the nomenclature and arrangement of the standard supply table, a blue
and white one alternating. During the preparation of the return they were
kept in a Shannon file of suitable size. Whenever an entry was to be made
a carbon would be inserted between the white and the blue sheets of the article to
be entered and the entry made on the white sheet with indelible pencil and on
the blue sheet by the carbon copy. The entry gave the date of the voucher,
the number of the voucher, and the quantity of the article received or issued
on that voucher. All vouchers, whether receipts or issues, were numbered in
one series. If a single page were not sufficient to provide space for all the
entries during the quarter, such additional sheets were added as were necessary.
At the end of each quarter the quantities in each column, the issue, and
receipts were totaled and the balance remaining placed in the appropriate
space at the foot of the last sheet, under each article. The white sheets were
then segregated and bound in packages of suitable size, with Form 17 on the
face, 17C on the back. The sheets in the return were numbered consecutively
from the first to the last, except that additional sheets for any one item bore
the same number as the original sheet for that item. The medical supply
officer certified on Form 17C of the last package to the correctness of the
return. When the return had been properly checked against receipts and
issues it was forwarded to the Surgeon General.

When the bills had been received and the property accepted, vouchers for
the articles received were prepared by the finance department on Forms 330 or
330A and sent to the contractor for signature. When received back, check
was written and the voucher signed by the purchasing officer and the check by
the disbursing officer. Before the articles enumerated on the voucher, an
invoice of purchase, Form 12, was prepared, which showed the name of the
vendor the articles and quantities purchased, and was signed by the purchasing
officer This invoice of propertv purchased served to charge the purchasing
officer with the responsibility for the property, and one copy of it was delivered

72 FINANCE AJiD SUPPLY

to the returns department for use in the preparation of the quarterly return
of medical property. The other copy accompanied the voucher to the Surgeon
General's Office, where it was again checked against the purchase voucher and
filed with the property accounts of the officer who made it. At the end of
each month the finance department prepared an abstract of disbursements,
arranged in chronological order, in which the vouchers were paid. A separate
abstract was prepared for every appropriation under which supplies were pur-
chased. The abstract contained in brief the name of the vendor, the class of
articles purchased, and the gross amount paid on the voucher. The total of
each abstract was entered at the foot of the last sheet. In addition there was
prepared an account current which showed, by appropriations, the funds remain-
ing on hand from the preceding month, funds received during the month, and
funds disbursed during the month, and the balance remaining to the credit of
the disbursing officer. The abstracts of disbursement were the basis for the
entry of the amounts of funds disbursed during the month. Both abstracts
and accounts current were prepared in duplicate, one copy forwarded to the
Surgeon General, for administrative examination, accompanied by the substan-
tiating vouchers, and one copy retained at the depot, substantiated by the
duplicate copy of the voucher. A record was kept by the finance department
of the funds placed to the credit of the disbursing officer during the month
whether by warrant or by deposit or proceeds of sales or other collections.
Checks were always written on blanks furnished by the Treasury Department.
Each check was identified by the entry on its face of the number of the voucher
or vouchers for which it was paymeut.

Army Regulations required that no contract or purchase, on behalf of the
United States, should be made unless authorized by law or made under the
appropriation adequate to its fulfillment, except for clothing, subsistence, forage,
fuel, quarters, and transportation of medical and hospital supplies, which, how-
ever, was not to exceed the necessities of the current year. Articles of foreign
production or manufacture could not be purchased abroad for importation with-
out special authority from the Secretary of War. Articles of domestic production
or manufacture were preferred to those of foreign origin, cost and quality being
equal. Supplies and services not personal required for the use of the Army
were to be procured where they could be purchased the cheapest, quality and
cost and interests of the Government considered. Except where procurements
were in small amounts, supplies and services were to be procured only after
public notice inviting proposals for the same. The officer charged with the duty
of making a contract of purchase is responsible under the laws and regulations
for his action.

NEW DEPOTS

On May 24, 1917, the Secretary of War authorized the establishment of
additional medical supply depots at Philadelphia, Pa.; Chicago, 111.; Atlanta,
Ga.; and Louisville, Ky. (vicinity of Jefferson ville, Ind.). 2

The location of these depots was based upon the approved plans of the
War College division of the General Staff 3 for the establishment of 1 divisional
cantonment in the Northeastern Department; 4 (later reduced to 3) in the

ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 73

Eastern Department; 11 (later increased to 12) in the Southeastern Depart-
ment, of which 3 (later increased to 4) were National Army and 9 were National
Guard; 5 in the Central Department, all National Army; 6 in the Southern
Department, 1 National Army and 5 National Guard; and 3 in the Western
Department, 1 National Army and 2 National Guard. The actual sites had
not been selected at the time authority to establish the new depots was granted,
but the areas within which they were to be located had been sufficiently well
determined for the purpose. At this time it was contemplated that the Phila-
delphia depot would supply the troops in the Eastern and Northeastern Depart-
ments, the Chicago depot those in the Central department, and the Atlanta
depot those in the Southeastern Department.

As soon as the necessary orders for the transfer to their new stations of
the officers selected to take charge of these depots had been issued, a letter of
instruction was written to each of them concerning the depot to be under his
charge. The letters varied only with regard to matters relating to the territory
to be supplied and the amount of floor space for the given depot. The fol-
lowing letter concerning the Chicago depot is similar to the others and contains
the purpose of the instructions.

May 29, 1917.
From: The Surgeon General.

To: Major , Medical Corps, Field Medical Supply Depot, Washington, D. C.

Subject: Medical Supply Depot, Chicago, 111.

1. You have been designated to take charge of the medical supply depot to be estab-
lished at Chicago, 111., and it is desired that you proceed to that point with the least
practicable delay upon receipt of your order to select a building suitable for the purpose.
Upon arrival you should get in touch with the depot quartermaster at that place and secure
his assistance in securing a suitable building.

2. It is expected that your depot will supply the troops stationed, roughly speaking,
west of the Alleghanies, north of the Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma line, and east of
the Rockies, which will comprise five divisions of the new National Army to be called into
service the 1st of September, and such regular organizations as are now or may be formed
within those limits. It is estimated that you will require 75,000 square feet of floor space.
If you can find this in one building on a railroad spur with suitable approaches for wagons
and trucks you will have obtained a most satisfactory location. Care should be taken to
secure as nearly a fireproof building as is possible, the floors of which should have a carrying
capacity of not less than 300 pounds per square foot. One with a greater carrying capacity
would be preferable. If the building is more than one story, adequate elevator service will
be necessary. If the building is not already provided with metal shutters for fire protection
and an adequate water fire-protective system, an effort should be made to induce the owners
of the building to install them and in the event of their refusal application should be for-
warded to the department commander for the installation of the necessary apparatus. An
estimate of cost should accompany the request. As soon as you have located the building
you should secure estimates for the cost of the material and labor necessary to install the
shelving and counters in your issue room and any other changes needed. These estimates
should be forwarded to the department commander at the earliest piacticable date. At the
same time you should make application for the installation of the necessary telephone
service. For this, consult with the local quartermaster.

3. As soon as you have found a suitable building, inform this office of the street address
thereof and instructions will be issued to the New York medical supply depot to send you
your initial equipment. Additional supplies as needed will be issued to you on requisitions
forwarded through the department surgeon. You should keep your stock replenished by
timely requisitions.

74 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

4. While it is probable that you will be required to make purchases to meet emergencies,
it is not contemplated at the present time that you should act as a disbursing officer. All
obligations incurred by you should be properly vouchered and forwarded to this office for
payment, through the department surgeon.

5. Your depot will handle all classes of medical supplies — post, field, dental, veterinary,
and automobile — as well as blank forms. Should you receive requisitions for which at the
time you have, not the supplies on hand to fill, a list of the articles not in stock should be
forwarded to this office through the department surgeon with the least practicable delay in
order that instructions may be issued to ship them from other depots.

6. You are authorized to issue supplies on requisitions approved by department or the
division surgeons within your district. It is contemplated in the ordinary issue of supplies
that the expendable articles required by regimental and other organizations will be issued
by the property officer of the divisional cantonment hospital and that the nonexpendable
articles for these organizations will be issued from your depot. Your depot will issue the
necessary supplies in bulk to the cantonment or base hospital on requisition.

7. It is contemplated that a cantonment hospital will be established with each division
when the troops have reached their training camps. The initial equipment of this hospital
is given in the attached list designated "Wolfe base hospital unit." It is not known at the
present time exactly where these camps will be nor how soon their equipment will be
required. The initial equipment for them will be issued by you upon instruction from the
department surgeon. The bulky articles — bedsteads, mattresses, pillows, chairs, and refrig-
erators — will be issued direct to the hospital from the New York depot or from the con-
tractor. Upon receipt of instructions by you from the department surgeon to issue supplies
to any cantonment or base hospital, you should promptly inform the officer in charge of the
New York depot of the place and the name of the officer designated to receive these bulkv
articles.

8. It is contemplated that large quantities of the various classes of supplies will be
stored at your depot in addition to the immediate needs for issue, and for this reason you
will require the floor space indicated in paragraph 2.

9. The initial personnel for your depot, consisting of a chief clerk, an invoice clerk, a
chief packer, and possibly a shipping clerk and laborer, will be ordered to you from other
depots upon receipt of information from you that you have secured the necessary building.
Other employees will be authorized as required upon request from you stating the number
and qualifications. Payment of these employees will be on pay roll duly certified by you
and forwarded to this office for payment. Your attention is invited to paragraph 110, Man-
ual for the Medical Department, 1916, relative to the emergency employment of laborers.

10. You should make requisition for the necessary office equipment for your depot at
the earliest practicable date in order that it may reach you promptly. You should inves-
tigate the local market to determine prices and availability in your vicinity. If the prices be
reasonable, authority will be given you to purchase locally. Anything which you can not
secure locally or for which the price quoted is unreasonable should be referred to this office.

11. Inasmuch as you will be required to issue blank forms, you should make ample
provision in the way of building cabinets for the proper storage and protection thereof
while in storage and awaiting issue.

12. It is suggested that the material for shelving, counters, and these cabinets for
blanks should be millwork as far as practicable, everything cut ready to assemble when it
reaches your depot.

13. Boxes for packing should be purchased locally provided there be an adequate box
manufacturer in the vicinity. If not, requisition therefor should be forwarded promptly.

By order of the Surgeon General.

Very little difficulty was experienced in Atlanta and Chicago in securing
adequate and suitable storage space to meet the requirements of the letter of
instructions. The situation at Philadelphia proved quite difficult. While the
warehouse selected was the most suitable of any available in the city, it was
not on a railroad siding. The street in front and the alley in the rear were
both narrow and congested with traffic.

ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 75

CONSOLIDATION OF STORAGE

The initial step in the consolidation of storage and issue may be said to have
been taken near the end of December, 1917, with the development of an organ-
ization within the War Department known as the storage and traffic service. 4
The function prescribed by this section was:

To provide for the coordination of movement of troops and shipments of munitions and
supplies of every kind during manufacture, and after final assembly, and to sec that provi-
sion is made for the necessary storage and other facilities on the seaboard and at interior
points, and to advise and assist the Chief of Staff in reference thereto.

In charge of this organization was a director of storage and traffic. The
organization was divided into two branches, one dealing with storage facilities
and the other with transportation. The chief of the section dealing with stor-
age facilities was known as the director of storage. While the functions of this
section and its relation to other organizations of the War Department varied
somewhat during the period of its existence, its chief retained the title of
director of storage throughout.

On January 3, 1918, call was made by the director of storage and traffic for
information from all the supply bureaus concerning: (a) Present storage facili-
ties — location, capacity in square feet, and character of supplies for which
designed; (b) plans made for additional storage; (c) funds available for
construction of storage space; (d) localities at which supplies are being manu-
factured; (e) personnel engaged in connection with storage and transportation
of supplies. 5

Not long after the information called for in this request had been furnished
the following instructions were received:

War Department,
Office of the Quartermaster General of the Army,

Washington, January 21, 1918.
Memorandum for Surgeon General.

1. In order that the storage and warehousing facilities of all branches of the service be
coordinated so far as is deemed advisable, all matters pertaining to the location and con-
struction of new storage or warehousing facilities are to be submitted for approval to the
director of storage before final action is taken.

2. The director of storage is to be furnished with such information and reports relative
to storage and warehousing operations as he may from time to time require.

Director nf Storage and Traffic.

The first measure looking toward consolidation of storage was contained
in a proposed method of operating the New York storage facilities put forward
by the director of storage and traffic in March, 1918. 6 This proposal, made
to the Chief of Staff, covered both storage facilities and loading activities
related to overseas shipment. That part of the method dealing primarily with
storage proposed (1) that the practice of assigning certain definite warehouse
space to the several bureaus of the Army be discontinued and that any existing
arrangements of this character be canceled; (2) that all storage facilities of
the port be operated and controlled by a storage officer, who, as the representa-
tive of the director of storage and traffic, was to be on the General Staff Corps;

76 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(3) that all Army supplies arriving in the metropolitan district were to be
under the control of the storage officer and by him were to be allocated to piers,
shipside, or storage in accordance with instructions issued by the ship control
committee and information as to priorities, furnished by the bureau represent-
atives; (4) that the storage officer was to issue a warehouse receipt for all
supplies unloaded into storage and that the receipt was to evidence the termi-
nation of the accountability of the bureau originating the supplies placed in store.

The director of storage and traffic stated as a reason for the measures pro-
posed that an investigation of the storage situation at the port of New York
had developed the fact that the warehouse facilities were only partially utilized,
although an actual shortage space existed at the port. This state of affairs
had resulted from the prevailing practice of assigning certain warehouses or
definite space in warehouses to the several bureaus of the Army, the space
assigned ceasing to be available even though unoccupied. 6

As may have been expected, the proposal met with considerable objection
from the supply bureaus. The reasons for these objections were many. Those
of the Medical Department included the following: 7

It is a basic principle of storing that articles of one class and of one kind — that is to
say, all packages of any one individual item — should be stowed together. This is absolutely
necessary to avoid confusion in handling. It is manifestly impossible to so estimate space
that none shall be lost, due to failure of each individual stack to occupy all the space intended
for it. If this basic principle be accepted, there is manifestly no advantage in placing one
item of medical supplies in one stack and filling in the adjacent space with quartermaster
supplies or the supplies of any of the other supply bureaus. It would make for efficiency
to have medical supplies in a warehouse by themselves, ordnance supplies in another, quar-
termaster in another, and so on, assuming, of course, that each warehouse was filled with
the same class of supplies.

The lack of utilization of space at the port of embarkation, New York, at the present
time is manifestly due to a lack of accumulation, on the part of the supply departments, of
the required reserve for the maintenance of the prospective number of troops abroad, rather
than to an excess of space alloted to such supply departments. It should not be taken as a
criterion of what will obtain when what might be considered as normal conditions of overseas
supplies exists. It is believed that having a moderate amount of storage space in excess of
the immediate needs is far better than having too little. Economy in storage space is a
good thing and can be exercised quite as well by the respective supply departments as by a
central warehousing organization. Space remaining unoccupied in any warehouse for any
length of time should be taken from the supply department to which assigned and reassigned
to another supply bureavi whose warehouses appear to be inadequate. Warehousing space
to permit of stowing, by classes, should be provided and should be assigned to the respective
supply bureau furnishing that class of supplies.

The objections to a central warehousing system are essentially the following:

(a) Lack of familiarity on the part of the operating personnel with the different classes
of supplies.

(fi) Difficulties incident to the proper handling by inexperienced persons of supplies of
the same or similar classes received from different sources at different times.

(c) The liability of inexperienced persons to send out the wrong articles, due to con-
fusion of names. This is particularly true as regards Medical Department supplies. A
number of drugs have the same basic element, but are put up in different form, and gener-
ally different combinations of chemical substances; for instance, ammonium carbonate and
ammonium chloride; sodium bicarbonate, sodium borate, etc. Some are put up in tablet

ORGANIZATION FOE ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 77

form, some occur in crystals; some shipments of drugs have the official Latin name sten-
ciled on the box, while others have the commercial name.

(d) The lack of complete familiarity with all the component articles entering into unit
equipment, which would result most certainly in the failure to properly check in or check
out the number of packages containing a specific equipment of the unit. It is necessary
that all articles comprising a unit be stowed in such proximity that the entire unit can be
shipped complete. It is necessary that the persons handling this equipment be thoroughly
familiar with it so that they may recognize at once any deficiency or discrepancy in the
contents of the unit. This can not be entirely overcome by any system of marking which
might be adopted.

(e) It is impracticable to order out supplies by numbers and weights of packages,
whether they be stored in the same compartment or in different warehouses. It is not at all
improbable that boxes of the same numbers and weights, and possibly similar contents,
may be received at the warehouse from different depots. One may contain field supplies,
another veterinary supplies, and a third post supplies. Unless persons handling the ship-
ment be thoroughly familiar with the equipment, the probabilities of sending out the wrong
package are very much greater than the probabilities of forwarding the proper package.

(/) It will be impossible to hold a general warehousing force — men who to-day may
handle engineer property, to-morrow Signal Corps, the next day ordnance, and the next day
medical — to that fine degree of accuracy which is necessary for the efficient forwarding of
supplies which obtains from the personnel handling one class of supplies only.

(g) Besides all this, there would be lacking the facilities for the training of personnel
and the handling of Medical Department supplies which now obtains and which will continue
to obtain if the warehouses are assigned to the respective supply departments as hitherto.

The plan for the operations of the storage at the port of New York as
finally promulgated 8 provided for a port storage officer, who was to have
exclusive control of all storage facilities at the port operated for the joint use
of the several bureaus of the Army. He was authorized to exercise coordina-
tion and control over the storage facilities operated by the several supply
bureaus and shipment of supplies through that port. Each supply bureau was
represented by a port supply officer appointed by the chief of the bureau.
This port supply officer was a member of the staff of the commander of the
port, and was the technical officer and assistant of the port storage officer, on
all matters concerning the supplies of his respective bureau. These port supply
officers were charged with all provisions necessary for the receipt, storage,
preservation, and production of supplies and material pertaining to their
respective bureaus at the port. They were to perform their duties under the
provision of the port storage officer and in conformity with such regulations as
might be issued under the authority of the commander of the port. Supplies
intended for shipment overseas were to be invoiced to the proper port supply
officer instead of the port storage officer. The port supply officers were to act
also as direct representatives of their respective supply bureaus. 8 In this phase
of the development, storage was coordinated but not centralized or consolidated.
So far as can be determined the results obtained were entirely satisfactory.
Supplies moved with as much dispatch as the state of shipping permitted, and
all storage space that was assigned to the Medical Department was fully used.

By the middle of October 1918, plans for a complete consolidation of storage
and issue, as well as procurement, were well under way. The order directing
the transfer of the supply functions of the Surgeon General's Office to the
director of purchase and storage and the director of finance is quoted below:

78 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Supply Circular No. 102.

War Department,
Purchase, Storage and Traffic Division,

General Staff.
Washington, October 34, 1918.
Subject: Transfer of certain branches of finance and supply divisions, Office of the Surgeon
General.

1. In accordance with the terms of Supply Circular No. 80 and Supply Circular No. 91,
the entire supply branch and supply depots branch of the finance and supply division of the
Office of the Surgeon General is hereby transferred to the office of the director of purchase
and storage. The administration division of the finance and supply division of the Office of
the Surgeon General, in so far as it relates to the work of purchase, storage requisition, and
requirements, is hereby transferred to the office of director of purchase and storage.

2. Purchases made by various officers of the office of the Surgeon General for the purpose
of experimental and research work shall continue to be made as in the past, provided that as
soon as such material adopted as a result of such experimental and research work is
standardized the purchase and storage of such material shall thereafter be performed by the
office of the director of purchase and storage.

3. The finance branch and disbursing branch, and so much of the administration branch
as relates to finances and accounting, of the division of finance and supply of the Office of
the Surgeon General are hereby transferred to the director or finance.

4. The personnel, property, stores, supplies, and records of the organizations transferred
under the provisions of paragraph 1 hereof are transferred to the office of the director of
purchase and storage.

5. The personnel, equipment, and records pertaining to the finances and to the finance
and accounting activities of the organizations transferred by paragraphs 1 and 3 hereof, in
accordance with Supply Circular No. 98, are hereby transferred to the office of the director
of finance.

6. Local emergency purchases by officers of the Medical Department may be continued
under exiting instructions of the Office of the Surgeon General.

7. This order will take effect November 15, 1918.
By authority of the Secretary of War:

Geo. W. Goethals,
Major General, Assistant Chief of Staff,
Director of Purchase, Storage and Traffic.

The instructions contained in Supply Circular No. 102 were carried into
effect in the field under the following instructions:

Purchase and Storage Notice No. 128.

War Department,
Purchase, Storage and Traffic Division,
Office of the Director of Purchase and Storage,

Washington, December 13, 1918.
Subject: Transfer of medical supply depots.

1. In accordance with the terms of Supply Circular No. 102, the medical supply depots
transferred to the office of the director of purchase and storage are hereby assigned, with all
personnel, warehouses, equipment, records, leases, and other property, as follows:

(a) The medical supply depot at New York City, N. Y., to the zone supply officer
New York City, N. Y. '

(b) The medical supply depot at Philadelpia, Pa., to the zone supply officer, Phila-
delphia, Pa.

(c) The field medical supply depot at Washington, D. C, to the zone supply officer
Washington, D. C.

(</) The medical supply depot at Atlanta, Ga., to the zone supply officer, Atlanta, Ga.
(c) The medical supply depot at Chicago, 111., to zone supply officer, Chicago, 111. '

ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 79

(/) The medical supply depot at St. Louis, Mo., to the zone supply officer, St. Louis, Mo.

(g) The medical supply depot at San Antonio, Tex., to the zone supply officer, San
Antonio, Tex.

(h) The medical supply depot at San Francisco, Calif., to the zone supply officer, San
Francisco, Calif.

2. Requisitions for supplies required by the above medical supply depots will be sent
direct to the requisition service branch, domestic distribution division, office of the director
of storage, who will refer them to the medical subdivision for indication of action.

3. All matters relating to policy of issue and authorized allowances of medical, dental,
and veterinary supplies for use in distribution in the United States will be referred to the
medical subdivision, domestic distribution division, office of the director of storage, which
will determine such matters, and when necessary will refer them to the Surgeon General's
Office for administrative action.

4. Zone supply officers, or other officers in charge of general supply depots, will submit
to the domestic operations division, office of the director of storage, such data and questions
concerning medical supply depots under their jurisdiction as may be necessary for the
information or approval of the chief of the domestic operations division.

R. E. Wood,
Brigadier General,
Director of Purchase and Storage.

General instructions relating to the method of handling medical supplies
and the operation of forming medical supply depots are indicated in the follow-
ing purchase and storage notice:

Purchase and Storage Notice No. 121:

War Department,
Purchase, Storage and Traffic Division,
Office of the Director of Purchase and Storage,

Washington, December 11, 1918.
Subject: Supervision of medical supply depots and supplies in the office of the Director of
Storage.

1. Effective December 10, 1918, the domestic operations division in the office of the
director of storage, will assume the responsibility for and direct the operations of all general
medical supply depots, reserve depots, camp medical supply depots, etc., in accordance
with paragraph 5, Purchase and Storage Notice No. 34.

2. Effective December 10, 1918, the port operations division in the office of the director
of storage, through the port storage officers, will assume responsibility for and direct the
movement of all medical, dental, and veterinary supplies through ports of embarkation in
accordance with paragraph 7, Purchase and Storage Notice No. 34.

3. (a) Effective December 10, 1918, the statistical record branch, administrative division,
in the 1 office of the director of storage, will assume the responsibility for and direct the main-
tenance of all stock records for medical, dental, and veterinary supplies, except those released
to the overseas distribution division for shipment to the American Expeditionary Forces.

(6) General medical supply depots and camp medical supply depots will make regular
stock reports at stated intervals of all medical, dental, and veterinary supplies, on prepared
stock report sheets forwarded to them by the statistical and record branch, storage admin-
istrative division.

(c) Any additional information required from time to time in reference to stocks of med-
ical, dental, and veterinary supplies will be secured through the statistical and records
branch, storage administrative division, when required by the divisions in the office of the
Director of Storage.

4. (a) Effective December 10, 1918, the overseas distribution division in the office of
the director of storage will assume the responsibility for and direct the movements of medi-
cal, dental, and veterinary supplies to ports of embarkation when such supplies are for
shipment to the American Expeditionary Force.

80 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(b) The work of that part of the finance and supply branch of the Medical Department
assigned to the overseas distribution division will continue to follow out the program out-
lined by the Surgeon General's Office until the completion of the present overseas program.
As stock becomes available which is not required for overseas distribution it will be trans-
ferred to the jurisdiction of the domestic distribution division and the personnel now in the
overseas distribution division will be transferred to the domestic distribution division as the
requirements of the former are completed. For the present, constant liaison must of neces-
sity be kept between the overseas distribution division and that part of the former finance
and supply division of the Medical Department controlling the overseas program.

(c) The medical subdivision, overseas distribution division, will receive copies of such
distribution orders as are issued in its favor by the domestic distribution division, medical
subdivision, and will arrange for releases and take such further action as may be necessary
for the expeditious loading of material in question in accordance with present procedure.

5. (a) Effective December 10, 1918, the domestic distribution division, office of the
director of storage, will assume responsibility for and direct distribution of all medical,
dental, and veterinary supplies except those consigned to ports of embarkation for shipment
to the American Expeditionary Force.

(b) The requisition service branch will receive all requisitions from general medical
supply depots, camp medical supply depots, and Medical Department units at camps, posts,
forts, and other stations; will submit them for indication of action to the medical subdivi-
sion, domestic distribution division, and take the action indicated by the latter. In addition
the requisition service branch will trace shipments and report on deliveries and receipts to
the medical subdivision for its information and guidance.

(c) All matters of policy regarding disposition, issue, and storage and authorized allow-
ances of medical, dental, and veterinary supplies, except those consigned to ports of embar-
kation for shipment to the American Expeditionary Force, will be referred directly to the
medical subdivison, domestic distribution division, in the office of the director of storage,
which will determine such matters, and when necessary will refer them to the Surgeon Gen-
eral's Office for administrative action.

(d) All matters pertaining to surplus stocks on hand in various depots, camps, posts,
forts, and other stations will be referred to the medical subdivision, domestic distribution
division, in the office of the director of storage.

(e) Other matters, such as reports and inquiries pertaining to storage space, the operation
and maintenance of general medical supply depots and camp medical supply depots, reserve
depots, etc., personnel and general policy, will be referred by the medical subdivision, domes-
tic distribution division, to the domestic operations division, which will make report directly
to the medical subdivision, domestic distribution division.

(/) All g neral medical supply depots, camp medical supply depots, Medical Department
units at camps, posts, forts, and other stations will forward all requisitions for supplies needed
direct to the requisition service branch, domestic distribution division, which will refer them
to the medical subdivision, domestic distribution division, for indication of action, and will
take the action indicated thereon.

6. All personnel engaged on the above work is hereby transferred to the division of the
office of the director of storage, assuming the responsibility for and directing the work in
accordance with this notice.

R. E. Wood,

Brigadier General,
Director of Purchase and Storage.

In order that there might be no cessation in the continuance of the
distribution of medical and hospital supplies, the personnel in the Office of
the Surgeon General engaged on procurement and distribution were trans-
ferred with the records to the office of the director of purchase and storage. In
the field the medical supply depots, with their personnel, became sections of
zone supply depots. While all depots came under the provision and control

ORGANIZATION TOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 81

of the zone supply officer under the new plan of operation personnel with
technical training required for the proper operation of the depot were not as a
rule displaced. 9 The enlisted personnel of the Medical Department on duty
at medical supply depots with a few exceptions were transferred to the
Quartermaster Department. Those of the emergency forces were demobilized
at the time and in the way prescribed by the War Department. Those
belonging to the regular establishment continued in the service as quarter-
master personnel until the expiration of their current enlistment or until they
secured transfers to the Medical Department.

The new system was placed in operation in accordance with instructions
in Circular No. 131, above quoted, and remained in operation until the autumn
of 1920, when a return was made to the principle of individual control of the
zone depots and the procurement and issue of the zone supplies by the various
bureaus of the War Department having supply functions. Experience during
the period of its operation had demonstrated that a single supply system is
too complicated for general use in providing supplies for the Army. The
necessity of an individual initiative of each supply bureau was clearly shown.

USING AGENCIES

The issue of medical supplies was not limited to the personnel and organi-
zations of the Medical Department, but extended to the entire Army. A
first-aid packet was provided for the personal equipment of every officer and
soldier. Foot powder and adhesive plaster were furnished every organization
at the rate of one tin of foot powder and one spool of adhesive plaster per
squad (eight men). These articles and quantities were obtained from the
surgeon of the organization upon request by the company or other organization
commander. When so issued the request was filed and the articles then were
dropped by the surgeon from his return of property as expended with the sick.
The surgeon of an organization obtained these articles for this purpose in the
same manner as he obtained his other supplies.

The Medical Department units may be grouped definitely into two classes,
namely, mobile and fixed. The former operate with the combat troops and
furnish first-aid and primary treatment. Their supplies are limited because of
limited transportation available. Such supplies are put up in the most compact
form and ready for use with very few preliminaries. They are packed in
containers suitable for transportation and are commonly referred to as "field
supplies." Medicines are in tablet form for ready dispensing; surgical dressings
are in compressed form and sterilized within their wrappings as protective
covering. They were packed, with simple apparatus for the treatment of
wounds, in cases especially designed for them, the object being to reduce weight
and bulk. During the war the mobile units included medical detachments,
with regiments and smaller organizations, sanitary trains (ambulance companies,
and field hospitals), and evacuation hospitals. They moved with the troops
they served. Even the evacuation hospitals remained in a given location only
long enough to give primary treatment to the wounded of the troops they
served and evacuated them to fixed hospitals in the rear. The equipment of
30663—28 G

82 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

these units is given in the appendix under the titles, combat equipment, camp
infirmaries, camp infirmary reserves, ambulance companies, field hospitals, and
evacuation hospitals.

During the war fixed units were post hospitals, general hospitals, base
hospitals, convalescent and other special hospitals. These units provided
definitive treatment and care for the sick and wounded until restored to duty
or separated from the service. The equipment of such units was necessarily
elaborate and bulky. Their supplies were provided in the usual commercial
containers. Medicines were supplied in crystal, powder, or liquid form to be
prepared for dispensing by the pharmacies of such institutions. Dressings were
supplied in bulk and nonsterile to be prepared in such form as required and
sterilized at the hospital. In short, the equipment and supplies conformed to
those of standard civilian institutions of like character.

All supplies required by mobile and fixed units were obtained with few
exceptions upon requisitions prepared on the standard forms and forwarded
through the prescribed channels. This applies as well to articles of equipment
furnished by other supply services as to the supplies and equipment furnished
by the Medical Department. In peace time requisitions were divided into
two classes, annual and special. Special requisitions were again divided into
annual, quarterly, and emergency. Articles were grouped into post, field, and
dental medical supplies. Separate requisitions were required for each group.
The rules (Manual for the Medical Department) governing their routine
preparation and channels of transmission appear in the appendix (p. 856).

The requisition having been forwarded through the prescribed channels,
the officer who forwarded it was advised by the approving authority of the
action taken by him upon it and of its transmittal to a medical supply depot,
the location of which was stated, for issue subject to the modifications, if any,
in his office. In due time he received from the medical supply depot a signed
invoice of the articles issued accompanied by a packer's list and two receipts
(exact copies of the signed invoice, generally carbon copies) for his signature.
The shipment was received by the local quartermaster and delivered to the
officer to whom consigned. All original packages in the shipment were segre-
gated and the packed boxes unpacked and the contents checked against the
packer's list. When the shipment had all been verified the receiving officer
signed the two copies of the receipts and forwarded one copy to the Surgeon
General and the other to the depot from which the shipment came.

The invoice and the receipts were given the receiving officer's voucher
number. The articles on the invoice were then entered on the return and the
invoice filed in its proper place as a voucher to the return. Whenever there
was a discrepancy between the articles received and the invoice, the difference
was usually settled by correspondence between the two before the receipt was
accomplished.

As soon as the receipt was mailed the receiving officer became accountable
for all the articles enumerated therein and rendered a return for them at the
prescribed period, generally when his accountability terminated by transfer to
another officer.

ORGANIZATION FOR ADMINISTERING SUPPLY MATTERS 83

REFERENCES

(1) Based upon reports of the activities of the various medical supply depots made by the

officers in charge. Copies on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(2) First indorsement from The Adjutant General to the Surgeon General, May 24, 1917.

On file, A. G. ()., 2596673 (Old Files).

(3) Memorandum from Chief of War College Division, General Stalf, to Chief of Staff,

May 4, 1917. Subject: Designation of camp sites for training of new troops. On file,
Record Room, A. G. O., Correspondence Files 2593945 (Old Files).

(4) G. O. No. 167, War Department, December 28, 1917.

(5) Letter from the Director of Storage and Traffic to the Surgeon General of the Army,

Januarv 3, 1918. Subject: Storage facilities. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

S.G.o", 713 ^-.

(6) Letter from the Director of Storage ami Traffic to the Chief of Staff, March 8, 1918.

Subject: Proposed method of operating New York storage facilities. On file,

. ,, , t-v ■ • a n «-> 750—268 G. S.
Finance and Supply Division, S. <j. O., 5

(7) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Director of Operations, General Staff

War Department, April 1, 1918. Subject: Proposed method of operation of
New York storage facilities. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
750-268 G . S.
3

(8) G. O. No. 54, War Department, June 3, 1918.

(9) Memorandum for Office of the Surgeon General from Director of Storage, November

21, 1918, relative to operation of medical supply depots. On file, Finance and

a 1 tv • ■ 00^ 713-75 Was h.
Supply Division, fe. G. O., - -no "

SECTION II

PROCUREMENT

CHAPTER III

ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATIONS

The procurement of supplies is generally predicated upon the availability of
sufficient funds, either immediately or in the near future, with which to liqui-
date the indebtedness arising from the purchase. Since the adoption of the
Constitution, the necessary funds have been provided by annual grants made
by the Federal Congress and commonly called appropriations. The earlier
appropriations were few and quite simple. Those of later years have been
numerous and complex or detailed. In the earlier appropriations the details
of distribution and application of the funds were left to the discretion of
the heads of departments for which they were made. This soon gave place
to an itemization by the Congress of the purposes to which the funds could be
applied and the amount which could be expended for them. The extent to
which appropriations have been itemized has increased with each decade until
at the present almost complete details are required, although "lump sum"
appropriations are still made. In lump-sum appropriations the details required
in the estimates equal those of the itemized appropriations, but the grant
itself, w T hen made, specifies the sum for the whole but does not prescribe the
amounts for the various headings of expenditure authorized therein.

For many years the title appears to have been considered sufficiently
descriptive and limiting to require no language in it other than the title. Of
late years, and particularly since 1898, the tendency has grown to include
language more particularly defining the purposes for which it may be used.
Some of the language has made this appropriation applicable to border-line
cases, some of it has confirmed existing practices, while some of the language
serves to limit the purposes to which it may be applied." The language of the
appropriation under the title "Medical Department," as it obtained during the
World War follows: '

a The funds which provided for the construction, repair, and operation of hospitals as distinguished from the care
of the sick were contained in appropriations administered by the Quartermaster General. They include, in general,
costs of construction; maintenance of roads and sewers; heating, lighting, and water; pay and allowances of officers,
nurses, and enlisted personnel; and subsistence of nurses, enlisted personnel, and patients. They were contained under
the appropriation titles, " Pay, and so forth, of the Army"; "Subsistence of the Army"; "Regular supplies, Quarter-
master Corps"; Transportation of the Army and its supplies"; " Waters and sewers at military posts"; "Barracks and
quarters"; " Roads, walks, wharves, and drainage "; and " Construction and repair of hospitals."

85

86 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

Medical and Hospital Department: For the manufacture and purchase of medical and
hospital supplies, including gas masks, motor ambulances, and motor cycles for medical
service, their maintenance, repair, and operation, and disinfectants, and the purchase and
exchange of typewriting machines for military posts, camps, hospitals, hospital ships, and
transports, and supplies required for mosquito destruction in and about the military posts in
the Canal Zone: Provided, That the Secretary of War may in his discretion select types and
makes of motor ambulances for the Army and authorize their purchase without regard to the
laws prescribing advertisement for proposals for supplies and materials for the Army; for the
purchase of veterinary supplies and hire of veterinary surgeons; for expenses of medical supply
depots; for medical care and treatment not otherwise provided for, including care and subsis-
tence in private hospitals, of officers, enlisted men, and civilian employees of the Army, of
applicants for enlistment, and of prisoners of war and other persons in military custody or con-
finement, when entitled thereto by law, regulation, or contract: Provided further, That this
shall not apply to officers and enlisted men who are treated in private hospitals or by civilian
physicians while on furlough; for the proper care and treatment of epidemic and contagious
diseases in the Army or at military posts or stations, including measures to prevent the
spread thereof, and the payment of reasonable damages not otherwise provided for, for bed-
ding and clothing injured or destroyed in such prevention; for the pay of male and female
nurses, not including the Nurse Corps (female), and of cooks, and other civilians employed
for the proper care of sick officers and soldiers, under such regulations fixing their number,
qualifications, assignment, pay, and allowances as shall have been or shall be prescribed by
the Secretary of War; for the pay of civilian physicians employed to examine physically
applicants for enlistment and enlisted men, and to render other professional services from
time to time under proper authority; for the pay of other employees of the Medical Depart-
ment; for the payment of express companies and local transfers employed directly by the
Medical Department for the transportation of medical and hospital supplies, including bid-
ders' samples and water for analysis; for supplies for use in teaching the art of cooking to
the enlisted force of the Medical Department; for the supply of the Army and Navy Hospi-
tal at Hot Springs, Arkansas; for advertising, printing, binding, laundry, and all other
necessary miscellaneous expenses of the Medical Department, $267,408,948.

To provide for the needs of the Medical Department during the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1917, the following sums had been made available: $1,584,000,
deficiency (act of July 1, 1916), and $4,500,000, fiscal year, 1917 (act of August
29, 1916). Of these sums the former had been requested principally for the
purpose of providing motor ambulances and motor cycles to the medical units
on the Mexican border, but the text of the appropriation extended it to all
other purposes of the Medical Department. The purchase of motor vehicles
was temporarily suspended July 25, 1916, by instructions from the Secretary
of War, 2 and the purchase had not been resumed on April 6, 1917. Of the
latter appropriation the sum of $500,000 was authorized for use, under the direc-
tion of the Secretary of War, in the erection or rental of temporary buildings for
the care and shelter of the sick and wounded. The burdens during the early
part of the year had been heavy and the obligations incurred against these
funds had been extensive so that there remained available to the Medical
Department at the end of January, 1917, an unobligated balance of but
$1,321,000.* The Adjutant General was advised in February that more than
$22,954,186 would be required to meet the needs of the Medical Department
in the event of war. 4 This was stated later at $24,780,000, and the formal
estimate in the following details was submitted as of March 31, 1917. 5

PROCUREMENT

87

154905-G-l

Estimates March 31, 1917 (1,000,000 men)

"Medical and Hospital Department, 191S" (to be immediately available):
Initial medical equipments:

Volunteers, 500,000 $6,984,619. 20

Militia, war strength, 325,000, in addition to equip-
ments now in their hands 2,873,989. 10

Regulars, from stores now on hand 0. 00

$9, 858, 608. 30

Veterinary supplies, 1918, at $1 per animal 616,178.00

Mosquito destruction, Canal Zone posts, 1918. 50,000.00

Current medical upkeep, 1,000,000 men, less 250,000 provided for by
appropriations already made, net 750,000 men, for 3 months from

April 1, 1917, at the rate of $12 a year per man 2, 250, 000. 00

Current medical upkeep, 1,000,000 men, 1918 12,000,000. 00

Total 24,774, 786. 30

Or, in round numbers 24,780,000.00

S. G. O.

March 31, 1917.

Cost of field equipment (medical supplies only) for 500,000 men
[Organization as suggested by General Bliss: 21 Infantry divisions, 7 Cavalry divisions, Army troops]

Unit

Brassards, 10 per cent (Hospital Corps, chaplains, etc.)

First-aid packets, 100 percent and reserve

Medical officers' belts, equipment, 1 per cent and reserve

Enlisted men's belts, equipment. 10 per cent and reserve

Kegimental combat equipment (Infantry), medical supplies only, 315 regimental

and reserve

Camp infirmaries, including par. 869 and par. 871, 4 (or each of 30 divisions and

reserve.

Ambulance companies, 133 and reserve..

Field hospitals, 91 and reserve

Medical reserve supplies, par. 891, 2 for each of 30 divisions--

Motor ambulances, three-fourths of ambulance companies and reserve-
Hospital trains (equipment only) _.

Evacuation hospitals, 2 for each division

Base hospitals, 1 for each division _

Dental outfit, portable -

Dental outfit, base

Total.

Quantity

60,000

,000,000

7,000

75,000

500

150

175

150

60

1,500

10

60

30

600

30

Unit price

$0.08

.28

8.20

3.40

316. 14

956. 18
1,666.44
3, 299. 04
5, 280. 46
2,000.00
2, 893. 00
15,240.66
23,141.40
500.00
1. 500.00

Total cost

$4, 800. 00
280, 000. 00

57, 400. 00
255, 000. 00

158,070.00

143, 427. 00
291,627.00
494, 856. 00
316, 827. 60
3, 000, 000. 00

28, 930. 00
914,439.60
694, 242. 00
300, 000. 00

45, 000. 00

6, 984, 619. 20

151905-Q-l

Militia — To complete field equipment

[Present strength, 171,319: war strength, 325,304; 12 division at present equipped; ambulance companies, 25;

field hospitals, 38]

Unit

First-aid packets, 100 per cent —

Medical officers' belt (contents), 1 percent --■

Enlisted men's belts (contents), 10 per cent and reserve

Regular combat equipment (Infantry), 144 regiments and reserve

Camp infirmaries, including par. 869 ($358.54, medical property only) and par. 871

($587.64), four times 12 divisions and reserve

Ambulance companies (" C " equipment, medical only), 35 to complete and reserve.

Field hospitals ("C " equipment, medical only), 10 to complete and reserve

Medical reserve supplies (par. 891), 2 for each of 12 divisions

Motor ambulances, three-fourths of ambulance companies and reserve

Evacuation hospitals, 2 for each of 12 divisions and reserve

Mase hospitals, 1 for each division and reserve

Dental outfits, portable.

Dental outfits, base -

Total.

Estimate

Quantity Unit price Total cost

325, 000

3,300

40,000

150

60
65
35
25

600
30
15

250

$0.28
8.20
3.40

316. 14

956.18

1,666.44

3,299.04

5, 280. 46

2,000.00

15,240.66

23,141.40

500.00

1,500.00

$91,000.00
27,060.00

136, 000. 00
47,421.00

57, 370. 80
108,318.60
115,466.40
132.011.50
1,200,000.00
457, 219. 80
347,121.00
125, 000. 00

30,000.00

2, 873, 989. 10

88 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Motor ambulances and motor cycles having been omitted from the origi-
nal estimate, a supplemental amount in the sum of $5,000,000 for that purpose
was submitted May 5, the appropriation bill still pending, and incorporated
in the bill. 6 This bill became a law on June 15, 1917, 70 days after the decla-
ration of war. 7 The money in this appropriation was available immediately
upon its approval by the President. In the meantime, the estimates submit-
ted the previous year in the sum of $1,450,000 had received the consideration
of Congress and were approved in the sum of $1,000,000. The appropriation for
the year 1918 became law May 12, 1917, but the funds granted therein did not
become available until July 1, 1917. 8 There was in sight, then, for the period
from the declaration of war until June 30, 1918, the gross sum of $32,000,000,
representing the appropriations passed in May and June, 1917, and the balance
remaining from previous appropriations. By the time the deficiency appropri-
ation for 1917-18 (act of June 15, 1917) had been passed the requirements
of the War Department in the matter of equipment and supplies, as well as
pay of troops, had become quite clear. It was manifest that the sums carried
in the deficiency act of June 15 were inadequate and that another appropria-
tion would be necessary in the near future. The Secretary of War gave instruc-
tions on June 18, 1917, that estimates be submitted to cover deficiencies in
appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1917, and additional appro-
priations required for the fiscal year 1918, if any. 9 Acting under these instruc-
tions, an estimate to the amount of $100,026,000 in the following detail was
submitted June 26, 1917, under Medical and Hospital Department. 10 The
Secretary was advised June 30, 1917, that the estimate already forwarded
included all the estimates to be submitted for action at that session of Con-
gress and that additional estimates would not be submitted. 11

Memorandum re supplemental estimates under "Medical and Hospital Department, 1918,"

submitted June 26, 1917

War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,

T ... , June 26,1917.

Initial medical equipments for second million men, not covered by
previous estimates, viz:

Motor ambulances, spare parts and accessories $6, 840, 000

Motor cycles for medical service 384, 000

Cooking utensils and tableware 450, 000

Fabrics and textiles 4, 500 000

Foods, beverages, and condiments 440, 000

Hardware and metal articles 350 000

Medical and surgical instruments and appliances 880, 000

Medicines, antiseptics, and disinfectants 3,400,000

Rubber goods 290 000

Stationery 12 6, 000

Surgical dressings and sutures 9, 750, 000

Tin containers 16o| 000

Wooden articles 995,000

Miscellaneous supplies 1, 250 000

" - '— $29, 815, 000

PBOCUEEMENT 89

Gas masks, trench sprayers, and oxygen apparatus foi 2,000,000 men, at $10
each, $20,000,000, plus $2,000,000 for a 10 per cent reserve, plus $2,000,000

for refilling and repairs, less $1,000,000 allowed on previous estimates $23, 000, 000

Medical Department belts, 30,000 officers, at $3.50 each, $105,000, plus 300,000

enlisted men, at $5.50 each, $1,650,000 1,755,000

Current medical upkeep during the year, at $25 per year per man, 1,000,000
men for an entire year, $25,000,000, plus 500,000 men for 9 months,
$9,375,000, plus 500,000 men for 6 months, $6,250,000, less $12,000,000

allowed on previous estimates 28, 625, 000

Veterinary supplies, allowed on previous estimates 000, 000

Mosquito destruction, Canal Zone posts, allowed on previous estimates 000, 000

Machinery for four steam laundries 160, 000

Total 83, 355, 000

Additional 20 per cent for wastage, losses at sea, etc 16, 671, 000

Grand total 100,026,000

Surgeon General, United States Army.

These estimates were included in the first deficiency bill of 1918 in the sum
of $100,000,000. This bill was passed and signed by the President, October 6,
1917. 12 With the approval of this bill there was available to the Medical
Department until the end of the fiscal year 1918, the gross sum of $130,780,000,
appropriated between April 6 and October 7, and the balance remaining from
the appropriations made in 1916. It became evident by the end of April, 1918,
that these sums would be inadequate. The augmentation in the number of
troops to be provided for and the increased expense because of epidemics and
new equipment were greater than had been anticipated. On April 20, 1918,
$27,996,798.25 of the amount appropriated June 15, 1917, and $77,810,099.17
of the amount appropriated October 6, 1917, had been obligated. Of the
remainder, $7,000,000 was required for the finance division, $5,000,000 for the
American Expeditionary Forces for local purchases, leaving an unobligated
balance of $11,189,900.83 in the appropriations for the fiscal year 1918. The
requirements of the Gas Defense Service for the balance of the year were esti-
mated at more than $10,000,000. Contracts then being negotiated for gauze,
muslin, instruments, etc., approximated $17, 000, 000. 13 Additional estimates
were put forward by the Surgeon General on April 30, 1918, u in the sum of
$33,000,000. Congress, by act of June 4, 1918, authorized the Secretary of War
to enter into contracts and otherwise incur obligations on behalf of the Medical
Department not to exceed $33,000,000, in addition to the appropriations there-
tofore made. 15 This permitted the Surgeon General to enter into contracts to
the extent of the sum specified but provided no money to extinguish the obliga-
tions when incurred. A deficiency estimate of $33,000,000 in the following
detail was forwarded June 20, 1918, 16 to cover the contracts authorized by the
preceding act." The estimate was included in the deficiency act then pending
and became a law on July 8, 1918. 17

■ The several schedules mentioned in the estimate are in complete detail as to articles, quantities, prices, totals, and
aggregate amounts. Because ol the number of articles enumerated in them the schedules are omitted.

90 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Estimate of deficiency , Medical and Hospital Department, fiscal year 1918

Obligations to be incurred $.51, 145, 116. 04

Motor vehicles (Schedule 1) $4, 235, 000. 00

Printing and binding 100, 000. 00

Veterinary supplies and equipment 724, 116. 04

Medicines and antiseptics

(Schedule 2) $269, 019. 00

Dressings (Schedule 3) 142, 824. 12

Surgical instruments (Sched-
ule 4) 67,272.92

Horse blankets, 35,000, at $7.. 245, 000. 00

Gas masks 12, 257, 000. 00

Supplies, equipment and inci-
dentals $11, 000, 000. 00

Employees and operatives 257, 000. 00

Other medical and hospital supplies 28, 000, 000. 00

Textiles (Schedule 5) $6, 000, 000. 00

Medicines, antiseptics, etc.

(Schedule 6) 5, 000, 000. 00

Surgical dressings and sutures

(Schedule 7) 14, 000, 000. 00

Hospital equipment and supplies

(Schedule 8) 1, 600, 000. 00

Surgical instruments (Sched-
ule 9) 900, 000. 00

Litters, pack saddles and chests

(Schedule 10) 500,000.00

Miscellaneous (to cover civilian emloyees, civilian
medical services, laundry of hospital linen, and sun-
dry expenses) , 2, 229,000. 00

Advances to disbursing officers in France 3, 600, 000. 00

Deduct unobligated appropriations 18, 233, 305. 39

Total appropriations 130, 780, 000. 00

Act May 12, 1917 $1,000, 000. 00

Act June 15, 1917 29, 780, 000. 00

Act Oct. 6, 1917 100,000,000. 00

Less amount obligated 112, 546, 594. 61

Deficiency (in round numbers, $33,000,000) 32,911,810.65

When the estimates for the fiscal year 1919 were submitted there was
great uncertainty as to the probable strength of the Army during that period.
The estimates finally submitted gave details for forces varying between
1,500,000 and 3,000,000 men. 18 These estimates were submitted in September,
1917, and were necessarily uncertain as to amounts that would be required a
year in advance in a war of magnitude. It was necessary to prepare them on
a sliding scale. The sum actually appropriated for 1919 was based upon a
force of 2,600,000 men averaged for the year. 19 The estimate finally included
in the bill was $267,408,948 on the basis of that strength. This sum was
appropriated July 9, 1918, and became at once available. 20

Shortly after thi appropriation had been made the military program was
extended to include an average force somewhat in excess of 3,500,000 for the
year. 21 To maintain such a force additional funds would be required. Acting

PROCUREMENT 91

upon instructions received from the War Department on July 25, 1918, 22 an
additional estimate was prepared in detail to cover this increase in military
force. This estimate was suhmitted under date of August 5, 1918, in the sum
of $95,000,000. In detail the estimate conformed to that of June 20, 1918,
above described, and will not be entered here. The deficiency act approved
November 4, 1918, appropriated $30,000,000 under the title "Medical and
Hospital Department," for the usual purposes, exclusive of gas masks, and
granted authority to incur obligations for those purposes not to exceed
$65,000,000 in addition to the appropriations therein and theretofore, made. 2 '
The signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918, obviated the need to
utilize this authority.

TRANSFERS OF APPROPRIATIONS

Effective as of July 1, 1918, the Chemical Warfare Service was organized.
To it was transferred the Gas Defense Service of the Medical Department,
and with it the funds appropriated for gas masks and materials. Effective as
of September 1, 1918, the Motor Transport Corps was organized, and the motor
ambulances and motor cycles required for the mission of the Medical Depart-
ment were transferred to that corps. With the control and operation of those
vehicles went the funds appropriated for their purchase and maintenance.
The sums actually transferred for the above purposes were : 24

Chemical Warfare .Service:

Appropriations, fiscal year 1918 $12, 105, 000. 00

Appropriations, fiscal year 1919 _ 68,697,000.00

Total, $80, 802, 000. 00

Motor Transport Corps:

Appropriations, fiscal year 1918 $1, 750, 393. 45

Appropriations, fiscal year 1919 23, 117, 614. 79

Total 24,868,008. 24

SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS

Available during fiscal year 1917:

Act of July 1, 1916, fiscal year 1916-17 $1,584,000.00

Act of August 29, 1916, fiscal year 1917 4, 500, 000. 00

Act of June 15, 1917, fiscal year 1917-18 29, 780, 000. 00

Replacing medical supplies, 1916-17 110,217.02

Total fiscal year 1917 35.874,217. 02

Available during fiscal year 1918:

Act of May 12, 1917, fiscal year, 1918 $1, 000, 000. 00

Act of October 6, 1917, deficiency 1918 100, 000, 000, 00

Act of July 8, 1918, deficiency 1918 33, 000, 000. 00

Replacing medical supplies, 1917-18 141,453.47

Total fiscal year 1918 134, 141, 453. 47

Available during fiscal year 1919:

Act of July 9, 1918, fiscal year, 1919 $267, 408, 948. 00

Act of November 4, 1918, deficiency, 1919 30, 000, 000. 00

Replacing medical supplies, 1918-19 409, 478. 47

Total fiscal year 1919 297,818, 426. 47

92 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Refundments and transfers of charges by United States
Treasury :

Appropriation, fiscal year, 1916-17 $121.90

Appropriation, fiscal year, 1917 2,840. 19

Appropriation, fiscal year, 1917-18 17,133.69

Appropriation, fiscal year, 1918 375,859.69

Appropriation, fiscal year, 1919 . 266,186.20

Total refundments, etc $662, 141. 67

Total funds available (three years) 468,496,238. 63

DISPOSITION OF FUNDS ACCRUING TO THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT "

Disbursed :

For medical and hospital equipment and supplies $153, 275, 071. 79

For Medical Department motor vehicles, spare parts, and equipment. b 9, 440, 189. 40

For gas masks, parts, and manufacture of c 18, 498, 644. 14

For medical care and attendance where the services of the Medical

Department were not obtainable 1, 709, 618. 65

For hospital laundry 3, 186, 902. 17

For personal services (civilian employees) 6, 196, 675. 25

For other authorized purposes 2, 743, 627. 02

Total disbursed under Medical Department, in United States. 195, 050, 728. 42

Transferred to other departments for disbursement:
Without credit to medical department —

To Quartermaster's Department, shelter of sick etc 310, 000. 00

To Ordnance Department 912, 500. 09

To Chemical Warfare Service, gas masks, etc 80, 802, 000. 00

To Motor Transport Corps, ambulances, etc 24, 868, 098. 24

Total transferred without ere dit 1 06, 892, 508. 24

On Interbureau Procurement —

To Quartermaster Corps 25, 377, 863. 44

To Chief of Finance 6,226, 020. 28

To Ordnance Department 72, 664. 82

To Bureau of Aircraft Production 63, 440. 00

To Construction Division 5, 728. 09

To Department of Agriculture 5, 000. 00

Total transferred for supplies 31, 750, 716. 63

Returned to the United States Treasury:

Repealed by act of Feb. 25, 1919 54, 145, 513. 73

Through lapses of appropriations 79, 804, 857. 57

By adjustments of appropriations 1, 549, 068. 36

Total Treasury 135,499,439. 66

"The details relative to disposition of appropriations available to the Medical Department are taken, except for
motor ambulances, from the Annual Report of the Surgeon General for the years 1917 to 1921, inclusive, and are believed
to represent the best data obtainable outside the Office of the Comptroller General of the United States. The records
in the latter office have not been consulted.

» The total disbursement for motor vehicles for the Medical Department was $15,802,424.11, the remainder being
disbursed after the transfer of that activity to the Motor Transport Corps. (See chapter on ambulances for details.)

' This does not include the sum disbursed for this purpose under the Chief of the Chemical Warfare Service.

PROCUREMENT 93

Transferred to American Expeditionary Forces for disbursement under Chief Surgeon; not
accounted for to or through the Surgeon General:

Appropriations, fiscal year 1917-18 $27, 222, 760. 55

Appropriations, fiscal year 1919 8, 431, 000. 00

Total to American Expeditionary Forces 35, 653, 760. 55

Total disbursements in United States under Surgeon General 195, 050, 728. 42

Transferred to American Expeditionary Forces for disbursement . . . 35, 653, 760. 55

Transferred to other departments for supplies 31, 750. 716. 63

Transferred to other departments without credit 1 06, 892, 508. 24

Returned to United States Treasury 135, 499, 439. 66

Total record of disposition _ 504,847, 153.50

Less funds transferred but not expended 36, 350, 914. 87

Equals total funds available for three years 468, 496, 238. 63

DEFICIENCIES

Congress, by the deficiency act of April 17, 1917, appropriated $100,000,000
for the national defense to be expended at the discretion of the President. 25
On April 23, 1917, The Adjutant General called for a statement from the Sur-
geon General showing what part of the $100,000,000 was immediately needed
by the Medical Department, but specified that the statement should not include
items that can be purchased from ordinary appropriations. 26 By indorsement
thereon, April 24, 1917, the Surgeon General requested $3,421,500, for the
following purposes:

Mosquito bars, 100,000, at $4.80 $480,000

Canvas cases for bedding:

Large, 25,000, at $6 --- 6150,000

Small, 7,000, at $4 28,000

Blankets, 250,000, at $5.50 - 1,375, 000

Litters, 60,000, at $6 360,000

Packsaddles, 2,000, at $63_-_ 126,000

Cots, 120,000, at $4 480,000

Chairs, folding, 34,000, at $0.75 25,500

Tables, bedside, folding, 30,000, at $0.90 27, 000

Vials 35,000

Books for instruction 335, 000

Total 3,421,500

On May 10, 1917, The Adjutant General informed the Surgeon General that
the Secretary of War had decided not to ask the President for allotments under
this fund except for extraordinary objects not embraced in estimates before
Congress. 27

While awaiting information concerning the apportioning of this national
defense fund, the Surgeon General applied to the Secretary of War for authority
to incur a deficiency under section 3732, Revised Statutes, in the amount of
$3,421,500, covering the same items as above listed. 28 This request was granted
and the Surgeon General was informed thereof by The Adjutant General under
date of May 1, 1917. On May 2, 1917, the Surgeon General requested a written
confirmation of the verbal authority given him that day by the Secretary of
War to incur a deficiency of $5,000,000 for motor ambulances. Advice was

94 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

received from The Adjutant General on May 10, 1917, that no further action
was necessary, the estimates covering this item being before Congress. 29

On May 18, 1917, the Surgeon General requested authority to proceed at
once, in advance of the passage of the deficiency bill, to place orders for medical
supplies needed for an army of a million men, estimating the cost of those
supplies at $25,000,000. 30 The reasons cited were : It was becoming increasingly
difficult to obtain supplies of all kinds, and prices were constantly advancing.
It was considered desirable that the manufacturers have definite orders so that
they could systematize their resources and production and begin at once the
manufacture of the goods. It was desirable that the orders be placed at once
because of the time required to manufacture the supplies. This request was
returned May 25 with the information that the Secretary of War, after a per-
sonal consideration, in view of the probable passage of the deficiency bill in a
few days, did not feel that he could give blanket authority to place orders which
would involve a deficiency such as that requested. 31 As already noted, that
bill did not become a law until June 15. Until that date the Medical Depart-
ment had to depend upon its unobligated balances of the 1917 appropriations,
plus the deficiencies authorized by indorsement of May 1 and verbally May 2.
Obligations under the former were placed for the articles above listed. Under
the latter the following obligations were incurred: 32

December 20, 1917.

Obligations incurred for medical and hospital supplies in advance of appropriation, from
May 18, 1917, when all balances then on hand had been pledged, to June 15, 1917, when the
appropriations made in the deficiency act of that date became available:

Dental equipment and supplies $18, 098. 60

Dishes, kitchen equipment, enamel ware 18, 616. 87

Dressings, including gauze, cotton, sutures, adhesive plaster, splints:

Human 18, 316. 80

Veterinary 5, 200. 00

Field chests, litters, packsaddles 460, 715. 00

Hospital furniture exclusive of metal beds, including cabinets, cots, stools,

chairs, food carts. 432, 486. 22

Instruments:

Human 46, 220. 00

Veteri nary .. _ 9 i 200. 00

Medicines, antiseptics, disinfectants:

Human 11 ; 095. 02

Veterinary 5, 100. 00

Metal beds, mattresses, cotton pads, pillows 145, 196. 00

Motor vehicles and spare parts for same 334, 278. 00

Rubber goods 1 ? 137. 33

Stationery, typewriters, diagnosis tags 18, 187. 00

Sterilizers and boilers for same 3, 768. 45

Textiles, including blankets (human and veterinary), sheets, bed sacks, pillow

sacks, towels, pajamas, shirts, bath robes, mosquito bars 3, 520, 721. 36

X-ray equipment and supplies 3, 168. 15

Miscellaneous hospital supplies, including soaps; urinals and bedpans and
racks for same; brooms and brushes; glassware, including bottles, flasks,
ampoules, and vials; clinical thermometers; toilet paper; slippers; screens

for beds, etc 188 006. 19

Total 5,239,510. 99

PBOCUBEMENT 95

Deliveries on instruments and dressings were specified to begin within 30 days and to
be completed by January 1, 1918. ■ --

Deliveries on dental equipment were to begin within 30 days and to be completed by
June 30, 1918.

Deliveries on blankets, pajamas, and towels were to begin within 30 days and to be
completed by January 1, 1918.

Deliveries on all other articles were to begin within 30 days and to be completed
within six months at the most.

The deliveries specified have been met by the contractors with but few exceptions.

The funds appropriated June 15 practically all were obligated by the mid-
dle of July without satisfying the demand for supplies. Additional funds or
authority to purchase had become necessary. The deficiency estimates sub-
mitted June 26 had not eventuated into an appropriation. On July 20, the
Surgeon General requested authority through The Adjutant General, to pro-
ceed at once, under the authority of section 3832, Revised Statutes, with the
purchase of supplies as follows: 33

Gas masks (devolved upon the Medical Department to provide) . . $12, 000, 000

Surgical dressings 10,000,000

Veterinary instruments and supplies 1, 000, 000

Various hospital supplies 6, 000, 000

Total 29, 000. 000

This request was approved by the Secretary of War July 23, 1917. 33
Owing to the delay in the passage of the deficiency bill, additional author-
ity to purchase supplies became necessary in September, 1917. On September
12 the Secretary of War authorized the Surgeon General to proceed with the
purchase of the following articles under section 3732. Revised Statutes, as
amended: 34

Cooking utensils and tableware . $700, 000

Fabrics and textiles 5,000, 000

Hardware and metal articles 350, 000

Medical and surgical appliances 550, 000

Medicines and antiseptics 300, 000

Rubber goods 350,000

Stationery 150,000

Surgical dressings 8,000,000

Tin containers 200, 000

Wooden articles 1,000,000

Miscellaneous supplies 900, 000

Total 17,500,000

The obligations, which had been incurred for medical and hospital supplies
in advance of appropriations from August 9, 1917, when all balances then on
hand had been pledged, to October 6, 1917, when the appropriations made in
the deficiency act of that date became available, were as follows:

Books $49,292.80

Dental equipment and supplies 471, 525. 69

Dishes, kitchen equipment, enamel ware 111,245.44

Dressings, including gauze, cotton, sutures, adhesive plaster, splints:

Human 942,200.63

Veterinarv 396,018.00

96 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Field chests, litters, packsaddles $850, 823. 25

Gas mask parts and assembling of same 1, 844, 150. 00

Hospital furniture exclusive of metal beds, including cabinets, cots, stools,

chairs, food carts 587, 426. 77

Instruments".

Human 1,006,000.00

Veterinary 270,250.00

Laboratory equipment and supplies 40, 198. 76

Medicines, antiseptics disinfectant:

Human 1, 106,713.44

Veterinary 342,000.00

Metal beds, mattresses, cotton pads, pillows 1,212,355.00

Motor vehicles and spare parts for same 1, 489, 247. 60

Rubber goods 22,992.87

Stationery, typewriters, diagnosis tags 156,275.54

Sterilizers and boilers for same 107, 768. 22

Textiles, including blankets (human and horse), sheets, bed sacks, pillow

sacks, towels, pajamas, shirts, bath robes, mosquito bars 9, 311. 523. 48

X-ray equipment and supplies 111, 781. 98

Miscellaneous hospital supplies, including soaps; urinals and bedpans;
racks for urinals and bedpans; brooms and brushes; glassware, includ-
ing bottles, flasks, ampoules, and vials; clinical thermometers; toilet paper;

slippers; screens for beds, etc 275,334.99

20, 707, 124. 46

The shortage of funds which threatened in May, 1918, was met by the
authorization of Congress on June 4 to enter into contracts and incur obligations
not to exceed $33,000,000 in addition to existing appropriations. 35

REFERENCES

(1) Act of July 8, 1918 (40 Stats. 821).

(2) Letter from the Surgeon General to the department surgeon, Southern Department,

August 10, 1916, relative to equipping other ambulance companies with motor equip-
ment. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 11,220-67-1.

(3) Letter from the Surgeon General to Chief Clerk, War Department, February 14, 1917,

relative to withdrawals from Treasury and obligations of appropriations for fiscal
year 1917. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 152,239-5-B (Old Files.)

(4) First indorsement, Surgeon General's Office to The Adjutant General, February 2, 1917,

relative to estimates for an army of 1,000,000 men. On file, Record Room, S. G. O.,
Old Files, 154,905.-13.

(5) First indorsement, Surgeon General's Office, to The Adjutant General, March 31, 1917,

relative to estimates for the equipment of 1,000,000 men, and formal estimate of
March 31, 1917. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 154,905-G-l (Old Files).

(6) Second indorsement, Surgeon General's Office, to The Adjutant General, May 5, 1917,

relative to deficiency and estimates. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 152,239-7
(Old Files).

(7) Act of June 15, 1917 (40 Stats. 182).

(8) Act of May 12, 1917 (40 Stats. 40).

(9) Letter from Assistant and Chief Clerk, War Department, to the Surgeon General,

June 18, 1917, relative to additional estimates. On file, Record Room, S. G. 0.,
152,239.-8 (Old Files).

PHOCUBEMENT 97

(10) Supplemental estimates, Medical and Hospital Department, 1918. On file, Record

Room, S. G. O., 111.1 (f. y. 1918).

(11) First indorsement, Surgeon General to the Assistant and Chief Clerk, War Department,

June 30, 1917, relative to additional estimates. On file, Record Room, S. G. O.,
158,777.10 (Old Files).

(12) Act of October 6, 1917 (40 Stats. 345).

(13) Obligations incurred against Medical and Hospital Department, 1918, of April 20, 1918,

filed with estimates Medical and Hospital Department, April 30, 1918. On file,
Record Room, S. G. O., 111.1 (f. y. 1918).

(14) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Secretary of War, April 30, 1918. Subject:

Deficiency estimates, fiscal year 1918. On file, Record Room, S. G. ()., 111.1 (f. y.
1918).

(15) Act of June 4, 1918 (40 Stats. 594).

(16) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Director of Operations, Chief of Stall, Room

344, State, War, and Navy Building, June 20, 1918. Subject: Deficiency estimates
1918. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 111.1 (f. y. 1918).

(17) Act of July 8, 1918 (40 Stats. 821).

(18) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Secretary of War, September 15, 1917, and to

Chief of Staff, May 16, 1918. Subject: Estimates of appropriations 1919. On file,
Record Room, S. G. O., 166,322-K, and 111.1 (f. y. 1919) (Old Files).

(19) First indorsement, The Adjutant General's Office, to the Surgeon General, May 21,

1918, relative to strength of Aimy under estimates for 1919. On file, Record
Room, S. G. O., 111.03 (Med. Dept.).

(20) Act of July 9, 1918 (40 Stats. 845).

(21) Approved Military Program, 80 divisions, received from Chief of Staff, July 25, 1918.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., confidential files.

(22) Letter from the Director of Operations, General Staff, to the Surgeon General, July 25,

1918. Subject: Military programs for fiscal year 1918-19. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., confidential files.

(23) Act of November 4, 1918 (40 Stats. 1020).

(24) Annual Report of the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, 1919, Vol. II, 1191-1193.

(25) Act of April 17, 1917 (40 Stats. 28).

(26) Letter from The Adjutant General to the Surgeon General, April 23, 1917. Subject:

Statement of funds needed for emergency purposes. On file, Record Room, S. G. O.,
169,966 (Old Files).

(27) Memorandum from the Chief of Staff through The Adjutant General, to the Surgeon

General, May 10, 1917. Subject: Statement of funds needed for emergency pur-
poses. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 169,966 (Old Files).

(28) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, April 25, 1917. Subject:

Authority to incur a deficiency for medical and hospital supplies. On file, Record
Room, S. G. O., 152,239-6 (Old Files).

(29) First indorsement, The Adjutant General to the Surgeon General, May 10, 1917,

relative to a deficiency for motor ambulances. On file, Record Room, S. G. O.,
152,239-7.

(30) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, May IS, 1917. Subject:

Medical supplies for an army of a million men. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 14,727-B.

(31) First indorsement, The Adjutant General to the Surgeon General, May 25, 1917, on

the foregoing letter. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14,727-B.
(A. G. O. 2600272).

(32) Memorandum prepared by Col. H. C. Fisher, M. C, Surgeon General's Office, Decem-

ber 20, 1917, regarding Medical Department supplies. On file, Record Room, S. G. O.,
111.1 (f. y. 1918).
30663—28 7

98 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(33) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, July 20, 1917. Subject:

Authority to incur a deficiency for medical and hospital supplies, with the approval
of the Secretary indorsed thereon. On file, Record Room, S. G. ()., 152/239-8A
(Old Files).

(34) Letter from the Surgeon General to the honorable the Secretary of War, September 10,

1917. Subject: Authority to incur a deficiency for medical and hospital supplies.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -j — • Secretary's approval is

indorsed thereon.

(35) Act of June 4, 1918 (40 Stats. 594).

CHAPTER IV
REQUIREMENTS

In the procurement of supplies, whether public or private, the first factor
to be determined is the articles and quantities needed. Tlie term requirements
has, in recent years, come into use relative to this factor. It indicates the
things to be purchased and the quantities required. The term estimates, on
the other hand, relates to the funds required to pay for the things purchased
or the services employed. The articles having been determined, the quantities
to be ascertained then represent the needs for a definite period. In military
affairs the quantities required depend further upon the number of troops to he
supplied. The term requirements, then, covers three factors — articles, period of
time, and number of troops. As a rule the articles to be purchased are those
included in the standard supply table of the bureau using them or making the
purchases. These form the bulk of the purchases. To them are added such
new articles as the needs of the period indicate.

The paraphernalia required by the Medical Department for the successful
performance of its mission necessarily covers a wide range of articles and involves
many commodities and industries. Since the very beginning of the medical
establishment of the Army these articles have been divided into two more or
less definite and distinct groups. The first group represents the articles required
on the field of battle and its immediate environs in rendering the primary or
first-aid treatment of the wounded and in preparing them for evacuation to the
rear. The second group includes the articles required in the more or less per-
manent and fixed hospitals of the rear and the home territory for the continuing
or definitive treatment so long as that treatment is needed. In times of a
major emergency new needs always develop and articles not previously consid-
ered needful must be furnished. The question of the articles required is a
comparatively simple one. The question of quantities is much more difficult
of determination. For example, in the treatment of the wounded during and
after a battle the articles required to dress the wounds, check hemorrhage, con-
trol shock, relieve pain, and immobilize fractures are well known. The quantities
ol these same articles are dependent upon several factors, none of which can be
anticipated accurately. The number of persons wounded, the locality, character,
and extent of the wound, the degree of shock, the probability of tetanus and
gas gangrene, and the physical state of the individual at the time he was
wounded, all affect the treatment and the quantity of supplies required. In
cam]) or bivouac the presence or absence of epidemics and the kinds of disease
present likewise are determing factors in the calculation of requirements. How-
ever, in this the observations and experience of years point the way. In times
of warfare and assemblages of large bodies of troops into camps experience of
peace time can be used as a guide but can not be observed as to quantities.

99

100 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Here the utmost liberality must he given to the quantities purchased. The
morbidity rate from disease and injury other than battle casualties rises rapidly
and tends to be more serious. The morbidity from battle casualties has a tend-
ency to rise with each succeeding conflict due to the increase in destructiveness
of enginery of war. Much, therefore, must be left to the judgment of the person
preparing the estimates, both of the quantities likely to be required during the
conflict or any given period of it and of the cost of the materials. While care
should be taken to approximate the requirements to actual usage of the supplies,
much less criticism will obtain from having a moderate excess than from an
actual shortage however slight.

Supplies are divisible again into the expendable, or those which are consumed
daily, and the nonexpendable, or those that may be used for long periods without
wearing out. In the former class are medicines, surgical dressings, stationery,
and many similar articles. In the latter class are furniture, surgical instru-
ments, operating-room equipment, etc. Between these extremes is a great
group of articles which neither are consumed daily nor last indefinitely but
wear out after varying periods of service. This group may be illustrated by
the ward linen, sheets, pillow cases, towels, operating gowns, etc. Every arti-
cle provided has a definite period of usefulness, but this period is variable,
depending upon the care taken in its use. It becomes necessary, therefore, in
calculating the requirements of medical supplies, to determine the period of
service which may be expected of any given article which is to be supplied.
The rate of wastage must either be based upon observation and actual usage
over a period of years or be estimated, due account being taken of the article,
the purpose for which intended, and the manner of usage. Account must also
be taken of the troops to be supplied, whether they be recruits or seasoned
veterans. The observations of many years have shown that the morbidity
rate from all causes is much higher among recruits than in older soldiers. It
is higher also when troops are in camp than when they are in campaign.

Accurate records of the quantities used have been kept of the articles on its
standard medical supply table by the Medical Department for the last hundred
years. The Surgeon General in 1819, initiated the requiring, from all medical
officers to whom supplies were issued, of definite returns at stated intervals of
all medical property which came into their custody. 1 The annual rate of con-
sumption was more or less fixed. The allowances were based on average
conditions and increases were granted to provide for such contingencies as
epidemics. By consolidating the quantities reported on these returns as
"Expended with the sick," the total consumption of the expendable articles
reported under that head was determined. By dividing this total by the
number of troops in thousands, or hundreds, the requirements per thousand
or per hundred for 12 months could be obtained. The quantities required for
a longer or shorter period could be readily determined by multiplying by a
factor representing the ratio of the period desired to the 12-month period.

These property returns showed for the nonexpendable articles listed therein
the quantities "worn out or unfit for use." The aggregate of these articles
reported from all stations over a definite term of years divided by the number
of troops in thousands or hundreds, and that by the number of years, gave the

PROCUREMENT 101

wastage per thousand or per hundred per year. In addition to the articles
expended with the sick and worn out by fair wear and tear, there was always
a certain amount lost, stolen, or destroyed by unavoidable accident. The sura
of the wastage of any article from all causes, during any period represented
ordinarily the quantities of that article to be purchased during the next ensuing
like period. By this means the peace-time requirements for any article, period,
or number of persons can be calculated.

It is true that in time of peace a percentage of the military force in service
will be recruits. In a well organized and disciplined force this percentage will
be small because the losses from failure to reenlist are comparatively small.
In time of war practically all the force will, in the beginning, be without
military training and a knowledge of the principles of self-preservation gained
thereby. The requirements factor of such a force will be proportionately higher
than that of the well-trained force in time of peace. Another element, and one
of only a little less importance, is the inexperience and lack of knowledge of
military sanitation and conservation of supplies on the part of the medical offi-
cers called from civil practice to look after the health of the untrained troops
called to the colors. Greater waste of supplies will also occur under war
conditions.

It must be evident, therefore, that calculation of the quantities of supplies
needed by the medical service of an army in time of war is at best a compli-
cated problem which can not be solved by any known mathematical or other
rule. In the last analysis the solution must depend, to a large extent, upon
the experience, judgment, and intelligence of those charged with the reponsi-
bility. The statistics of our own and foreign armies are valuable aids to the
solution of the problem.

In addition to the wastage factor which calls for replacement and replen-
ishment, there is to be considered the initial equipment. In time of war more
and larger hospitals are required proportionately than in time of peace. Many
of them are special hospitals devoted to a single class or type of disability,
such as tuberculous, neuropsychiatric, maxillofacial, and fracture, for which
special equipment is required. Tables of unit equipment must be developed
to provide for all these types of hospitals as well as for general hospitals. The
probable number of each type of institution must be determined. Once the
tables of unit equipment have been developed and the number of each to be
provided, the question of the quantities of the component articles, or the
requirements for initial equipment is one easy of solution. Because of the
difficulty of procuring the vast quantities of supplies needed for initial equip-
ment and replenishment, the number of such units must be determined early.
In calculating requirements for medical supplies, whether initial equipment or
replenishment, it is well to remember that the unexpected always happens and
that "a little too much is just right."

For a number of years prior to the World War estimated requirements
were used in preference to requisition requirements. By this method the
supplies could be obtained before the need for them arose and requisitions
from organizations could be filled promptly. The average quantities issued
during a definite period formed the basis of the requirements for the ensuing

102 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

period. Under this method the several supply depots were required to fur-
nish the Surgeon General a statement of their probable needs for the next six-
months. The sum of these needs gave the quantities to be purchased. In
arriving at their prospective needs the medical supply officers went carefully
over their stock records, ascertained the quantity of each article issued during
the preceding two years, divided it by 4, and compared the result with the
stock of that article on hand. If the quantity in stock were equal to or
greater than the average issues, none was requested. If the stock were less
than the average issues, a quantity representing the difference would be
requested, because of the delay in securing the articles by purchase it
became necessary to carry a greater stock. This involved but slight change
in the method of determining the requirements. A six months' requirement
was deducted from the stock on hand before a comparison was made between
the average issues and the free balance. If the balance of the stock after
deducting the six months' supply equaled or exceeded the six months' issues,
none was requested; if less than the six months' issues, a sufficient quantity
was requested to bring the stock up to a year's supply.

The continuing study of actual issues resulted from time to time in mod-
ifications of allowances in the standard medical supply table and materially
assisted in the revisions of that table as they became necessary. The quanti-
ties of some articles, which experience had shown to be little used, were reduced.
Other articles were eliminated. The tendency, however 1 , in a great majority
of the articles was toward an increase in the quantities allowed. In the last
revision of the supply table published in 1916 in the Manual for the Medical
Department, the quantities of all articles appear to be quite liberal, at least for
peace-time usage.

When war was declared on April 6, 1917, the Surgeon General felt that
there was no time in which to receive estimates from the several depots. Nor
did the time permit, had the personnel been available, to compile the war
requirements from either the property returns or from theoretical premises.
The multitude of factors entering into the expenditure of medical supplies
prevented the estimate from being made on an exact basis, as in the case of
subsistence supplies where the quantities to be procured represented the number
of troops multiplied by the number of days and that by the quantities of the
several components of the ration. Some ready and fairly accurate method had
to be found at once for calculating war requirements. A very simple expedient
was adopted. The standard medical supply table prescribed the allowance as
equipment and a year's maintenance of the articles authorized for hospitals at
military posts having an official population of 1, 000. 2

In translating this principle into actual requirements it was found by expe-
rience early in the World War that the quantities of many articles were inade-
quate, while a few were in excess. Some of the deficiencies were anticipated
in the purchase, but others did not develop until later. On the whole, the
requirements calculated by this method gave as satisfactory results, it is
thought, as could have been obtained by a more detailed and complex-
method of computing them. Since they were based on peace-time experience
it was necessary, of course, that they be corrected for war-time requirements

PROCUREMENT

103

when sufficient experience had been accumulated. They served as the basis
for procurement of a majority of all articles supplied by the Medical Depart-
ment until well along; in 1918, when a new basis was introduced, that of the
automatic supply table evolved by the chief surgeon, A. E. F. 3

The procedure necessary to determine the quantities of field supplies and
equipment which would be needed was not quite so simple. At no time since
1865 had any large bodies of troops of the United States forces served for a
considerable length of time under actual field conditions. Consequently there
were available no records of the quantities of supplies used under such condi-
tions during any definite period. The types, too, of the equipment used under
such conditions varied with the particular units of the Army which were mobi-
lized. In developing the various units of medical equipment for field service
much attention had been given to the period of time which the several compo-
nents of the unit might be expected to last under normal service conditions.
It was expected that replenishments could be effected within 10 days, or within
25 days at the longest. In determining the quantities of field supplies to be
procured, the quantity of every article required for a division was first ascer-
tained. This was accomplished by calculating the quantities required by each
medical unit of the division as initial equipment and as maintenance for one
year. The quantities of each article so obtained were consolidated and gave
the total requirements for the division. The number of divisions being known,
it remained only to multiply the quantity of each article required for a division
by the number of divisions to be organized to ascertain the total requirements.
Such a table of requirements for a division of Infantry as then authorized was
prepared at the field medical supply depot early in 1917, and served as the
basis for determining the quantities to be purchased for the first 1,000,000 men
of the World War Army. After that the automatic supply table was largely
used as a basis.

At the beginning of the World War the determination of the veterinary
requirements, now a function of the Medical Department by reason of the
national defense act of June 3, 1916, proved to be the most difficult. There
was neither a standard veterinary supply table available, nor any definite
record of supplies issued per thousand or smaller unit of animals for a year or
other period. For many years, the providing of veterinary supplies had been
a responsibility of the Quartermaster General's Office, wherein the custom had
obtained of allowing $1 per animal per year for veterinary supplies. Purchases
had been made of such articles as the veterinary surgeons requested. Tenta-
tive supply tables were prepared and published as paragraphs 904, 966-997 of
the Manual for the Medical Department, Changes No. 4, November 19, 1917.
These tables soon proved inadequate, and, on the request of the Surgeon
General, the British War Office lent a complete set of veterinary chests and
wallets, which were used as models for those adopted for our service in the new
supply tables compiled in the Surgeon General's Office and approved by the
Chief of Staff on January 22, 1918. 4 The total quantities to be procured
were then calculated from these tables of allowances. These tables had hardly
been put into circulation, however, before they gave place to a revision which
added a few articles and deleted many. They were again modified some

104 FINANCK AND SUPPLY

months later. Another difficulty experienced in determining the requirements
of veterinary supplies was the uncertainty of the number of animals to be
provided for. The extensive use of the motor truck and other motorized
vehicles greatly reduced the number of animals required. After May, 1918,
the requirements in veterinary supplies were calculated on the hasis of the
automatic supply table.

The requirements of medical and hospital supplies calculated from the
supply table of annual allowances per thousand men were used as the basis of
purchase during 1917, and especially in the earlier contracts. The first variant
came during the latter part of May, 1917, when the Surgeon General decided
that lying-down accommodations would be required for 25 per cent of the
military forces sent overseas. This included all such accommodations from
the field hospitals of the divisions at the front to the general hospitals in the
rear. To meet these requirements it was deemed expedient to procure
3,000 ward units of 50 beds each in addition to the 85,000 beds already
purchased under the supply table allowances.

The quantities specified in the original statement of requirements based on
supply table allowances did not prove entirely satisfactory and were not fully
in accord with the estimate of the situation as it presented itself to the officer
in charge of the finance and supply division. In the latter part of December,
1917, and early part of January, 1918, the requirements were computed anew,
item by item. The results of this computation were furnished the purchasing
depots in January, 1918, as the new schedules of procurement. In some items
the quantity was increased. A number of new articles, which had been added
to the supply table subsequent to the declaration of war, were included in
the requirements and the quantities specified. The quantities of all articles on
the new schedule of procurement were still based on an army of a million men.

By the end of February, 1918, the military force in the service of the United
States exceeded 1,500,000 men. 5 In March, 1918, the military program con-
templated that this force would be increased to 1,725,000 men by the end of
June of that year. 5 This number was increased in May, 1918, to 2,230,000 by
June 30, 1918, 2,500,000 by December 31, 1918, 3,010,000 by June 30, 1919,
and 3,560,000 by the end of 1919. 6 Even the latter program was exceeded,
for there were 2,500,000 men under arms on June 30, 1918. 7 A new military
program was promulgated in the latter part of July, 1918, which contemplated
a force of 3,675,000 troops by the end of December, 1918, and 4,850,000 by
the end of June, 1919. " This program called for 2,350,000 troops in France by
December 31, 1918, and 3,360,000 June 30, 1919. In September, 1918, the
contemplated military program for the period July 1, 1919, to June 30, 1920,
was promulgated to the supply bureaus. 8 This program contemplated that
the military force would reach 5,225,000 by December 31, 1919, and 5,550,000
by June 30, 1920. Of these forces it was intended that 4,260,000 would be
maintained in the American Expeditionary Forces.

These successive increases in the military program necessarily called for
corresponding changes in the schedule of requirements and in the production
program to meet them. The basis for calculating requirements remained
essentially the standard supply table with such modifications as had been

PROCUREMENT 105

recommended by the chief surgeon, A. E. F., until the receipt in May, 1918, of
an automatic supply schedule from headquarters, A. E. F. 9 For overseas ship-
ment many articles had been eliminated. In September, 1917, the supply of
alcohol, ether, chloroform, rubber gloves, surgical needles, adhesive plasters, and
all sutures were increased to ten times and gauze and surgical dressings to
twenty-five times the allowances on the standard supply table. 10 The articles
eliminated were principally heavy furniture and bulky articles not of great
importance in the operation of hospitals. 11

The basis of the automatic supply schedule was a unit of 2">, 000 men
representing a mixed force of front and rear troops but without reference to an
organized division. 12 The period during which it was estimated that the
quantities of each article on this schedule would last was one month. These
quantities, for the greater part of the articles on the schedule, were materially
greater than one-twelfth of the supply table allowances for that number of
troops. A considerable increase in requirements and in the procurement
schedule was made necessary by these increases. The quantities stated in this
automatic schedule appeared unduly large, especially those of surgical instru-
ments of all kinds. This led to an exchange of views between the Surgeon
General's Office and the chief surgeon, A. E. F. 13 The conclusion was to let
the quantities stand until a reserve had been accumulated in France, when the
quantities would be revised. This revision was made August 20, 1918, and in
it the quantities of surgical instruments were materially reduced. 14 By that
time large quantities of such instruments had been shipped to France, and the
depot there was beginning to have enough. The quantities stated in the auto-
matic schedule of supply were utilized during the remainder of the war as the
basis for calculating requirements. The revision of the surgical instrument
schedule was received September 28, 1918, too late to have any marked effect
in the purchases made or in the quantities contracted for. By that time the
bulk of the contracts had been placed and were allowed to stand.

REFERENCES

(1) Military Laws, Rules, and Regulations of the Army of the United States, January,

1820, 185.

(2) Manual for the Medical Department, 1916, pars. 842-848}^.

(3) Report of the activities of the supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., made to

the chief surgeon, A. E. F., May, 1919, by Col. N. L. McDiarmid, M. C. On file,
Historical Division, S. G. 0.

(4) First Indorsement from The Adjutant General to the Surgeon General, January 22, 1918.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 742.

(5) Tentative strength table for requirements and supply estimates only, March 19, 1918.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., S-10

(6) Memorandum for the Finance and Supply division, S. G. O., from the Purchase and

Supply Division, General Staff, May 14, 1918. Subject: Revised Army program.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., s_in

(7) Memorandum for the Surgeon General from the Director of Operations, Office of Chief

of Staff, July 25, 1918. Subject: Military programs for fiscal year 1918-1919. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., S^TcT^ — '"'

106 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(8) Letter from the Chief, Statistical Section, Administrative Branch, Office of the Chief of

Staff, to the Surgeon General of the Army, September 11, 1918. Subject: Extension

of military program. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G.O., J — sZTn — "'

(9) Letter from the Chief Surgeon, A. E. F., to the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, April 2, 1918,

(received in S. G. O. May 10, 1918). Subject: Automatic supply. On tile. Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., '..

(10) Cablegram No. 155, par. 7, from commander in chief, 11. A. E. F., Chaumont, to The

Adjutant General, relative to medical supplies.

(11) Cablegram No. 232, par. 2. A, from H. A. E. F., France, to The Adjutant General,

Washington, October 20, 1917, relative to medical and hospital supplies.

(12) Cablegram No. 145, par 5-2, H. A. E. F., France, to The Adjutant General, Septem-

ber 7, 1917, relative to automatic supply.

(13) Cablegam No. 1197, par. 7, H. A. E. F., France, to The Adjutant General, Washington,

May 29, 1918, relative to surgical instruments, chests and cases.

(14) Letter from the Chief Surgeon, A. E. F, France, to The Surgeon General, U. S. Army,

August 20, 1918. Subject: Revised list of surgical instruments. On file, Finance

, r. , t^.. . • ,, ,-, ,^ 250 France
and Supply Division, e>. G. O., ~; ■

CHAPTER V
ADVERTISING FOR BIDS

As noted elsewhere, the laws and regulations governing the purchase of

supplies for the Military Establishment require that information concerning
the articles and quantities to be purchased he made public. The prescribed
publicity was obtained by advertisements inserted in newspapers and other
periodicals; by circulars of advertisement sent to prospective bidders and posted
in public places such as post offices, courthouses, and other Federal buildings;
by written and telephonic requests for quotations; and by other means.
Advertisements in daily newspapers did not appear daily as a rule, but a
sufficient number of insertions appeared at stated intervals during the period
preceding the closing of the bids to insure adequate circulation of the infor-
mation. In the more formal methods of advertising, a day and hour is specified,
prior to which offers will be received. The time which is required to elapse
between the original issue of the advertisement and the date set for the closing
of bids varies between 10 and 60 days, according to the class of articles, the
quantity, and the urgency of the need for them. 1 If the need be very urgent
periods of less than 10 days may be authorized. In its purchases the Medical
Department very rarely resorted to newspaper advertising for bids. The
circular of advertisement was customarily used for purchases of supplies in
quantity, and written and telephonic requests for quotations for purchases
in small quantities.

As the daily business of the purchasing bureaus increased, the original
requirement that all public supplies be purchased after advertising became
onerous and irksome, especially in the routine of small purchases. The delay
incident to this requirement w r as often very inconvenient and relief was sought.
The stringency was relieved in 1906 by the authority to make purchases in
amounts less than $500 according to commercial practice and without adver-
tising. 2 This enactment permitted the less formal methods of obtaining quo-
tations just mentioned.

The basic law which required advertising as a necessaiy preliminary to
the purchase of supplies contained also a proviso whereby that requirement
could be dispensed with in time of public emergency. In April, 1917, the
Secretary of War decided that such an emergency existed within the meaning
of this law and authorized the purchase of supplies without advertising. 3

This, however, in so far as it concerned the Medical Department, changed
only the method of communicating the need to the prospective bidders, who
under conditions then existing were necessarily the manufacturers. It was
manifest at that time that only by every manufacturer of the articles required

107

108 FINANCE AND STJPPLY

producing to his utmost capacity could the quantities needed he furnished within
the time available. The extent of the need for medical and hospital supplies
was fully presented at a meeting of manufacturers held in Washington, April
9, 1917. The requirements by commodities were furnished the executive
committees of the respective associations of manufacturers of the commodities
involved. These committees, with the exception of the pharmaceutical man-
ufacturers, undertook to distribute those requirements among the members of
their associations in accordance with their abilities to produce. The prices to
be paid for the articles were furnished the purchasing officers by the manu-
facturers either directly or, more commonly, through the committee. The
manufacturers of pharmaceuticals desired the publicity to be given through
advertising in the customary manner, but for smaller quantities at compara-
tively frequent intervals, in order that the drug market would not be upset.

The placing of orders for supplies through manufacturers' committees as
originally constituted failed to meet the approval of Congress and the method
was discontinued. Advertising as a preliminary to the purchase of supplies
was thereupon resumed by the Medical Department, and the requirement was
observed during the remainder of the war. Full publicity, early in August, 1918,
was required by the War Department to be given to proposed purchases and
to award of contracts by the various supply bureaus. This decision was the
result of the following proviso in the appropriation act approved July 9, 1918 : 4

Provided, That where practicable to do so, no work be done on contract made under or
by authority of any provision of this act on or under a percentage or cost-plus percentage
basis, nor shall any contract, where circumstances so permit, be let involving more than
$1,000 until at least the responsible competing contractors shall have been notified and con-
sidered in connection with such contract, and all contracts to be awarded to the lowest
responsible bidder, the Government reserving the right to reject any and all bids.

Such publicity, however, could not be used indiscriminately without dis-
closing information which would be of value to the enemy. To prevent this
each bureau was required to furnish the director of purchases and supplies a
list of all the articles purchased by it and to indicate thereon those articles
concerning which the information usually contained in circulars of advertise-
ment to the trade would be of substantial military value to the enemy and the
reasons therefor. The names of all articles which were determined by the
military intelligence division of the General Staff as being likely to convey
such information to the enemy were deleted and the censored list returned to
the supply bureau originating it. Thereafter whenever articles on the censored
list were to be purchased circular proposals were issued and the full publicity
required was given to the purchase. If any doubt arose about the propriety
of publicity of the quantities, specifications, or other details concerning an
article on the censored list the cirexdars were not issued until cleared by the
military intelligence division. There was the possibility that, even after the
bids had been opened, information might be conveyed by making public the
award. To prevent this the abstract of bids and proposed awards were
cleared through the military intelligence division, after which full publicity
was given. 5

PfJOCUIiEMESTT 109

FORM OF CIRCULAR ADVERTISEMENT

Among other forms required by the Medical Department one had been
provided for circular advertisements, or circular proposals, as they were often
called. This form was used by hospitals when purchases requiring advertisement
were authorized to be made locally. It was not prescribed for depot use. At
each depot a somewhat different form of circular had developed as a result of
individual experiences in the purchase of supplies, but the differences were not
material. The general arrangement and requirements of this form are shown
in that of the general purchasing office, Medical Department, which appears
below. The conditions and instructions stated in these circulars varied with
the commodity being purchased. As a rule, during the war, each circular was
limited to a single commodity or to two or three at most. This arrangement
made distribution more convenient. The pages containing the stipulation or
conditions were mimeographed or multigraphed except for the date and number,
which were added as needed. The schedule for each commodity was prepared
separately for the convenience of the bidders. Separate circulars according to
commodity required little if any more time for preparation than a consolidated
schedule.

General Purchasing Office, Medical Department, United States Army
Unit F, Wing 3, Seventh and B Streets NW., Washington, D. C.

To be opened 10 a.m., June 20, 1918. Circular Xo. 3.

The Medical Department of the Army requires the materials on the attached lists in
the quantities indicated. Bids submitted should quote prices f.o.b. cars or f.a.s. wharf (at
the option of the Government), in the city in which contractor's works are located, and
must state the amounts that can be delivered in 30, 60, 90 days from date of notice of award.
Bids for any part of any or all items will be considered.

Quotations must be submitted in duplicate and must be mailed in time to reach this
office by the time set for opening.

Bidder's name

Office address

[signature of responsible officer of firm.]
Address of factory

CONDITIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

1. Proposals will be received for one or more of the items specified.

2. The Government reserves the right to reject any or all bids or any part thereof; also,
in accepting a bid, to order less quantities of any or all items than those specified, or with
the bidder's consent, greater quantities, not exceeding, however, in any one item, an increase
of 50 per cent.

3. The net price is to be stated, per bottle, pound, or other unit, as indicated after each
item, after all deductions for cash or any discount.

4. Excess space in bottles containing pills and tablets must be filled with cotton, clipped
paper, or other suitable material.

5. In view of present shipping and economic conditions, the former regulations requir-
ing shipping cases to be made of 94-inch material will not be adhered to where the
contractor is able to furnish a lighter container which shall be of sufficient strength and
rigidity to transport supplies in good condition and withstand reshipment.

110 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

6. The price is to include all necessary bottles, tins, cartons, boxes, packings, etc., and
delivery f. o. I), works. The containers and packings are to be new and of uniform and
appropriate make and size. Each shipping package must be marked with the number of
the purchase (or contract) order, the name of the contractor, and a list showing the exact
contents of the package; these marks are necessary for identification.

7. Articles bought on sample must be equal to it. The quality and character of prelimi-
nary samples will be ascertained by such tests as the Government may choose, conducted
by its officers. The quality and character of all articles delivered under awards made under
this circular will be ascertained by similar tests of samples taken by the Government at
random from lots delivered. Drugs and medicines for which a standard is established by
the latest edition of the United States Pharmacopeia must be in accordance therewith.
Other articles must conform to the specifications. All articles will be subjected to rigid
inspection before acceptance.

S. Preference will be given to articles of domestic production or manufacture, conditions
of quality and price (including in the price of foreign production and manufacture the duty
thereon) being equal.

9. Each proposal should give the place of business and post office address of the bidder,
with county, State or Territory, and should be signed by the bidder with his usual signature
in full.

10. A proposal by a person who affixes to his signature the word "President,"
'Secretary," "Agent," or other designation without disclosing his principal is the proposal

of the individual. That by a corporation should be signed with the name of the corporation,
followed by the signature of the responsible officer authorized to bind it in the matter.
That by a firm should be signed with the firm name by one of the members of the firm.

11. No erasures, alterations, or additions should be made in the specifications. Bidders
may submit alternate proposals or make explanations by letter filed with their proposals in
the blank spaces on the latter. On items specifying alternate packing, bidders must state
container they propose to furnish. Prices quoted opposite the items without qualifications
or remark will be understood as for the identical articles listed.

12. Bidders must state the time when they propose to make deliveries on each and
every item.

13. When the amount accepted under any bid exceeds $.500, and delivery thereunder
is not to be immediate, the bidder will be required to enter into formal contract, and in
proper cases to give bond, with good and sufficient sureties, to se:-ure its performance.

14. Transfers of contracts, or of interests in contracts, are prohibited by law.

15. Proposals must be in the possession of the officer addressed before the hour
appointed for the opening. No responsibility will attach to t! e officer for the premature
opening of any proposal not so indorsed as to clearly show its character.

16. Proposals received prior to the time of opening will be securely kept. The officer
whose duty it is to open them will decide wh n that time has arrived, and no proposal
received thereafter will be considered except that when a proposal arrives by mail after the
time fixed for opening, but before the award is made and it is clearly shown that the non-
arrival on time was due solely to delays in the mails for which the bidder was not respon-
sible, such proposals will be received and considered.

17. Bidders must, if called upon by the awarding officer, furnish satisfactory evidence
before the award is made, of their ability- to carry their proposals into effect.

18. Before the time for opening bids any bidder may, without prejudice, withdraw from
competition by giving written notice of his decision to the officer holding his bid, and when
his bid is reached at the opening it will be returned to him or his authorized ag nt unread.

19. All tablets must conform to the following general specifications: Tablets must be
well made, of uniform size, and accurate as to quantity of active ingredients. They must
be of medium friability, neither too fragile for rough handling in transportation nor so hard
as to powder with difficulty, and equal to the standard in every respect. When furnished
in bulk they must be well packed in suitable tin containers.

20. All items advertised as "per sample "can be examined at this office.

PROCUREMENT 111

21. Samples, when required, or when voluntarily forwarded by the bidders when they pro-
pose to furnish articles other than advertised for, must be furnished free of all expense to the
Government and must be forwarded in time to reach this office prior to the opening of the
bids. A duplicate memorandum invoice will be prepared, one copy to be packed with 1 he
samples and the other copy to be inclosed with the proposal. This office will not be respon-
sible for samples unless such invoice is furnished. Samples will, upon request, be returned
at the expense of the bidders, except that in any case the right is reserved to destroy any
samples submitted whenever it may be considered necessary to do so for the purpose of
testing, and no allowance will be made for such samples. Samples must be plainly marked
with the name of the dealer and the number of item to which they pertain. Samples must
not be inclosed with proposals.

22. Alternate proposition may be submitted. Variations from standard goods or speci-
fied packings must be cited.

FORM OF BID

It will be observed from this form that the circular became a bid, or pro-
posal, when the bidder entered his quotations and times of delivery in the
appropriate columns opposite the article or articles he proposed to furnish, modi-
fying the quantities to suit his ability if unable to undertake the entire amount,
and signing his name in the space provided for that purpose.

DISPOSITION OF BIDS RECEIVED

In conformity with the general regulations already quoted, the bids were
securely kept until the time specified in them for the opening. When that
hour had arrived the bids were opened in the presence of such bidders as
desired to be present. The abstract of them was made and consideration
given to the matter of award. When the award had been made and the con-
tracts signed, one copy of the bid was forwarded to the returns office, Depart-
ment of the Interior, together with the copy of the contract required by that
office. 6 The other copy was retained until the contract had been fulfilled,
when it was destroyed.

AWARDS

The law contemplated that the award should be made to the lowest
responsible bidder. This principle was followed, as a rule, in the purchase of
pharmaceuticals because the specifications were definite and the standard
thoroughly well known to the trade. For other articles the principle was
followed as far as practicable. The low bidder does not always bid on the
article specified in the circular and his bid can not be accepted for that reason.
During the World War it seldom happened that any one manufacturer could
furnish the entire quantity within the time limit fixed by the military condi-
tions, and it became necessary to divide the award among several or all the
bidders on some particular article. If the quantities were such as to require
the combined efforts of all the bidders and there were no other sources of
supply, no discretion was necessary in making the award; every one received
all he could produce. But in cases where production exceeded the require-
ments it was necessary to determine whether the award should be made to the
lowest bidder or otherwise. Until the summer of 1918 the making of awards
had been left entirely to the judgment of the purchasing officers in the depots.
They were generally supervised by the officer in charge. After production had

112 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

been speeded up during 1917, and especially after industry had been divided
by the War Industries Board into essential and nonessential, competition for
bids became more keen. There was a tendency to criticize awards when not
made to the lowest bidder. It happened not infrequently that the new bidders
were not qualified by experience or equipment to produce the articles upon
which they bid and it was necessary to reject their bids. To overcome this
criticism, instructions were issued by the Surgeon General in July, 1918, to the
purchasing agencies of the Medical Department directing that boards of award
be appointed. 7 These boards were to be composed of two or more qualified
officers to whom all bids entailing an outlay of more than $500 were to be sub-
mitted for consideration and approval before the purchase order was placed.
These boards were appointed at the depots in New York City, Washington, St.
Louis, and San Francisco, and in the general purchasing office in Washington,
and continued to function until the need for purchases was ended by the
armistice.

REFERENCES

(1) Act of July 5, 1884 (22 Stats. 109).

(2) Act of June 6, 1906 (34 Stats. 258).

(3) G. O. No. 49, War Department, April 28, 1917.

(4) Act of July 9, 1918 (40 Stats. 845).

(5) Supply Circular No. 75, Purchase and Supply Branch, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic

Division, General Staff, August 3, 1918. Subject: Publicity of War Department
contracts and awards.

(6) Section 3744, Revised Statutes.

(7) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, D. C, July 11, 1918. Subject: Appointment of board of awards. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^rx -•

CHAPTER VI

CONTRACTS

AUTHORITY TO MAKE CONTRACTS

By legislative enactment the Secretary of War is the source of all authority
to make contracts or purchases in all branches of the military establishment. 1
It was foreseen when this authority was conferred upon the Secretary that he
would be unable personally to supervise the making of the vast number of
contracts and must delegate the authority to subordinates in the War Depart-
ment. Accordingly, it was provided that all purchases and contracts for supplies
and services for the military service were to be made by or under his direction.
Under the authority conferred upon the Surgeon General to procure medical
supplies, 2 the actual making of contracts and purchases thereafter was done by
representatives of the Surgeon General. 3 The variety and number of articles
on the standard supply table increased in accordance with the development of
the medical sciences, but the authority to procure remained in the Medical
Department otherwise unchanged until November, 1918, when all procurement
activities were consolidated under the Director of Purchase and Storage. 4

The legislative enactments particularly applicable to the procurement of
supplies and services not personal for the Military Establishment require that
no contract or purchase on behalf of the United States be made unless it be
authorized by law or made under an appropriation adequate to its fulfillment,
except for clothing, subsistence, forage, fuel, quarters, transportation, or medi-
cal and hospital supplies; 5 that, except in cases of emergency or where com-
petition is impracticable, the purchase of all supplies for the various
departments and branches of the Army be made only after advertisement,
where the articles can be had the cheapest, quality, cost of transportation, and
the interests of the Government considered; 6 that such purchases, except in
case of emergency, be made by contract; 7 that the award in every case be
made to the lowest responsible bidder for the best and most suitable article; 7
that purchase of supplies and procurement of nonpersonal services may be
made in open market, in the manner common among business men, when the
aggregate does not exceed $500 ; s and that all open-market purchases be
reported to the Secretary of War for approval under regulations prescribed
by him whenever the amount exceeds $100. 9 It has been held by the Attorney
General that this legislation contemplates one general mode of purchase, namely,
by contract, after advertisement, with "the lowest responsible bidder for the
best and most suitable article," with but a single exception, and that is where
an emergency exists requiring the purchase to be otherwise made.

30663—28 8 113

114 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

FORMS OF CONTRACT

It is mandatory for the War Department that all contracts not especially
excepted therefrom by act of Congress be formal contracts in writing, and
signed by the contracting parties with their names at the end thereof. This
is the form usually meant when the term contract is used, and so used in this
volume.

The term informal contract is applied to the forms of agreement less formal
than those included under the term formal contract. Usually these forms of
agreement are written proposals and written acceptances, or verbal agreements
where the delivery of the article or rendering of service is immediate. Written
proposals are usually replies by letter to, or by indorsement on, a request from
a purchasing officer to a manufacturer or vendor for a price on the articles
stated in the request. The written acceptance is usually the written purchase
order; that is, a specific request to the vendor to deliver to the purchasing
officer at a particular place the articles and at the prices specified in the order.
Verbal agreements are usually telephonic requests for the immediate delivery
of some particular article where time is an important element in the consider-
ation. The conditions under which these two forms of contracts may be used
by the Medical Department are stated in the following legislation: 10

Hereafter, whenever contracts which are not to bo performed within sixty days are made
on behalf of the Government by the Surgeon General or by officers of the Medical Depart-
ment authorized to make them, and in excess of ,$500 in amount, such contracts shall be
reduced to writing and signed by the contracting parties, but in all other cases contracts
shall be prepared under such regulations as may ba prescribed by the Surgeon General.

The form of the purchase order or informal contract had never been
specifically prescribed by the Surgeon General. Definite forms of purchase
orders were in general use at the several medical supply depots when the act
was passed authorizing the Surgeon General to prescribe them. 10 The forms
then in use had been the result of years of experience and were believed to be
those most convenient for the individual depot, consequently they were con-
tinued in use without change. While the form of these orders at the several
depots differed in minor details, they all contained the essential stipulations,
such as the articles and quantities ordered, the prices to be paid, the place of
delivery, the authority for the purchase, and the manner of packing when it
was necessary to prescribe it.

The standard formal contract was of much greater importance and the
form of that instrument was carefully considered and prescribed by the Surgeon
General, with the approval of the Secretary of War and the Comptroller of the
Treasury. The form of the contract was kept as simple and the stipulations
as few as possible consistent with effectiveness. The form was printed on thin
paper so that the required number of copies could be made at one time on the
typewriter. The same form was used without change for all purchases made
until about July, 1918, except for the purchase of surgical dressings in the
summer of 1917, for which a special form was used. The form of the contract
appears below.

riiOCUKEMEXT 1 15

Form 41

These articles of agreement, entered into this day of

, nineteen hundred and , between ,

United States Army, hereinafter designated as the contracting officer, acting for and on

behalf of the United States of America, of the first part, and ' ,of the

city of , county of , State of ,

hereinafter designated as the contractor, of the second part, witness, that the said parties
do mutually agree, to and with each other, as follows:

Article I. That the said contractor shall furnish and deliver, free of all extra charges

whatsoever, to the Medical Department of the United States Army, at

the articles below enumerated, at the prices herein stated, viz:

Article II. That all articles herein contracted for, for the preparation of whic
instructions are provided by the U. S. Pharmacopreia, latest edition, shall be made in
accordance therewith, and be equal to the standard thereby established, and that all other
articles shall be of the best grades on the market, unless otherwise specified, and be equal
to the original samples furnished or the specifications, as the case may be, upon which this
contract is based.

Article III. That before delivering the articles aforesaid the contractor shall put
them up securely in the necessary bottles, cartons, tins, boxes, crates, sacks, and other like
containers and coverings, and pack them suitably for Army- transportation and storage in
such packing cases as may be required by the contracting officer or his authorized
successors. The said contractor shall furnish the said packing cases in every instance, and
the said containers except as otherwise specified in Article I. The said packing cases and
containers so furnished by said contractor are to be new and of uniform and appropriate
make and size as determined by said contracting officer or his successors. The contractor
shall plainly mark his name and the contents on each packing case and affix a label showing
his name and the contents on each bottle, carton, tin, box, etc., so packed as aforesaid.
The prices enumerated in Article I of this contract shall be full compensation for the
services rendered and the packing cases, containers, and labels furnished under the
stipulations of this article, and no extra charge therefor shall be made or allowed.

Article IV. That the quantities hereinbefore specified, in the case of all or any of the
articles aforesaid, may, at the option of the United States, be increased or diminished not

exceeding 2 per cent thereof, upon notice of such increase or decrease served upon

the contractor by the contracting officer or his authorized successors at any time not less
than days before the date set for the completion of this contract.

Article V. That deliveries under this contract shall commence

within days after the date of its approval, of which timely notice shall

be given to the contractor, and shall be completed

Article VI. That the articles furnished and delivered hereunder, including packings
and containers, shall be examined and inspected without unnecessary delay by a person or

persons to be designated by the United States, and if found equal to the

shall be accepted and become the property of the United States. The said examination
may, at the option of the United States, be made by means of samples selected at random
from lots delivered. If any of the articles shall be found on said examination to be not
equal to the quality herein stipulated for they shall be rejected, and the contractor shall
remove them from the premises within ten days after notice thereof.

Article VII. That payments under this contract shall be made to the contractor as
soon as practicable after the delivery and acceptance of the articles aforesaid.

1 Insert here the legal name of the principal intended to he hound as party of the seeonil part— if an individual, his
personal name, with one given name in full; if a firm, the personal names of all the partners, with the recitation that
they are partners, and compose the firm, naming it hy its usual firm name; if a corporation, the corporate name,
reciting that the party is a corporation, and naming the State where it was incorporated.

! This stipulation can be made in contracts under advertisement in which the right so to do is expressly reserved,
and in open-market contracts. In other cases the blank space should not be filled in.

116 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Article VIII. That in case of failure of the contractor to fulfill the stipulations of this
contract according to their true intent and meaning, the contracting officer or such other
officer as may be designated by proper authority may cause the services to be performed
and the articles to be furnished by any other person or persons, in open market without
advertising therefor or otherwise, and the said contractor shall pay to the United States
the additional cost or expense thus incurred.

Article IX. The contractor further agrees to hold and save the United States, their
officers and agents, harmless from and against all and every demand or demands, of any
nature or kind, for or on account of the use of any patented invention, article, or process,
included in the articles hereby agreed to be furnished and the work to be done under this
contract.

Article X. Neither this contract nor any interest therein shall be transferred any to
other party or parties, and in case of such transfer the United States may refuse to carry
out tli is contract, either with the transferor or the transferee, but all rights of action for any
breach of this contract by the contractor are reserved to the United States.

Article XI. No Member of or Delegate to Congress, nor any person belonging to or
employed in the military service of the United States, is or shall be admitted to any share
or part of this contract, or to any benefit which may arise herefrom

Article XII. This contract shall be subject to the approval of the Surgeon General,
U. S. Army.

Article XIII. The erasures and interlineations hereinbelow specified were made in this
instrument before the signatures of the contracting parties were affixed hereto, to wit: Line

In witness whereof the parties aforesaid have hereunto placed their hands the date
first hereinbefore written.

Witnesses: Principals:

as to

, U. S. Army.

as to

as to

as to

(Executed in triplicate)

affidavit 4
I do solemnly swear that the copy of contract hereto annexed is an exact copy of a

contract made by me personally with ; that I made the same fairly

without any benefit or advantage to myself, or allowing any such benefit or advantage

corruptly to the said , or any other person; and that the papers

accompanying include all those relating to the said contract, as required by the statute in
such case made and provided.

, U. S. Army.

Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of , 19_

certificate 5

I certify that the award of the foregoing contract was made to the lowest responsible
bidder for the best and most suitable articles and service, on proposals received in response

to advertisement which was published for days by poster and circular

letter dated

.-,U. S. Army,
Contracting Officer.

i This affidavit is required only on the copy of contract for the returns office, Department of the Interior.

s When the contract is entered into upon award on proposals received in response to a public advertisement this
certificate will be given by the contracting officer on the two original numbers of the contract for the Surgeon General
and the Auditor for the War Department.

PROCUREMENT 117

CERTIFICATE"

I certif\- that this contract was entered into in open market, without previous adver-
tisement, that course being necessary because

, U. S. Army,

Contracting Officer.

NOTES

Note A. — Three original numbers of this contract are to be executed, and two copies made, for disposition as
prescribed in Army Regulations.

Note B. — Erasures, interlineations or other irregularities in this instrument must be explained over the signatures
of the parties thereto.

8^"°THIS CONTRACT NEED NOT BE EXECUTED UNDER SEAL

The general arrangement of the form and the stipulations quoted above had
remained unchanged for many years. It had demonstrated its effectiveness by
long usage. It had proved entirely satisfactory to the Medical Department
and, so far as can be determined, was equally acceptable to the accounting offi-
cers of the Treasury. Early in 1918 supervisory bodies began to be placed over
the supply bureaus of the War Department. Consolidation of procurement
became the accepted policy of the War Department. As the consolidation
proceeded, additional supervisory bodies were added in increasing numbers.
Change was in the air, and it was inevitable that change should extend to con-
tract forms. Stipulations were added and some of the original stipulations
modified. The contract form became longer and more voluminous. In Septem-
ber the following stipulations were added and modifications made to the form
above quoted: 11

cases and container so furnished by said contractor are to be new, and of uniform and
appropriate make and size as determined by said contracting officer or his successors.
The contractor shall plainly mark his name and the contents on each packing case, and affix
a label showing his name and the contents on each bottle, carton, tin, box, etc., so packed
as aforesaid. The prices enumerated in Article I of this contract shall be full compensation
for the services rendered, and the packing cases, containers, and labels furnished, under the
stipulations of this article, and no extra charge therefor shall be made or allowed.

Article IV. That the quantities hereinbefore specified, in the case of all or any of the
articles aforesaid, may, at the option of the United States, be increased or diminished not

exceeding per cent thereof, upon notice of such increase or decrease served upon

the contractor by the contracting officer or his authorized successors at any time not less
than days before the date set for the completion of this contract.

Article V. That deliveries under this contract shall commence within

days after the date of its approval, of which timely notice shall be given to the

contractor, and shall be completed

Article VI. The articles or work are subject to observation, inspection, and tests by
the United States at any and all times during manufacture or performance in order to
determine their compliance with the requirements of this contract, and are subject to

acceptance or rejection by the United States at For these purposes

the United States may maintain an inspector or inspectors at the plants or places where and
during the time this contract is being performed. Such inspectors may reject any and all
articles or work, or components thereof, and materials found not to be in compliance with
the requirements of this contract. No preliminary test or acceptance shall preclude the

6 When the contract is entered into in open market this certificate will be given in lieu of the preceding.

118 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

United States from rejecting any articles or work upon final inspection or test at completion.
The contractor shall furnish all reasonable facilities and assistance requested by such inspectors
for the performance of their duties. Inspections and tests by 1 he I'nited States shall be
carried out in such a manner as not unduly to delay the performance of this contract by the
contractor. Nothing contained in this article shall limit or annul any inspection or test
which may be called for by the drawings and specifications and forming a part of this Contract.
No inspection, acceptance, or payment under this contract shall deprive the United States
of any claim against the contractor hereunder by reason of fraud or deception, or by reason
of latentls' defective articles, materials, or workmanship.

Article VII. That payment under this contract shall be made to the contractor as
soon as practicable after the delivery and acceptance of the articles aforesaid.

Article VIII. That in case of failure of the contractor to fulfill the stipulations of this
contract according to their true intent and meaning, the contracting officer or such other
officer as may be designated by proper authority may cause the services to be performed and
the articles to be furnished by any other person or persons, in open market without adver-
tising therefore or otherwise, and the said contractor shall pay to the United States the
additional cost or expense thus incurred.

Article IX. The contractor agrees to hold and save the United States and its repre-
sentatives harmless against all liability and damage arising by reason of the infringement or
alleged infringement of letters patent of the United States relating to the articles or work
herein contracted for which are owned or controlled either by assignment, license, or other-
wise, by the contractor, its officers or employees, or persons in privity with the contractor,
and by reason of the infringement or alleged infringement of letters patent of the
United States which cover or relate to any materials, parts, or processes of manufacture not
specifically prescribed by the United States for the performance of this contract. The
United States agrees to hold and save the contractor and its representatives harmless against
all liability and damage arising by reason of the infringement or alleged infringement of
letters patent of the United States relating to the articles or work her. in contracted for
which are not owned or controlled, either by assignment, license, or otherwise, by the con-
tractor, its officers or employees, or persons in privity with the contractor, and which cover
materials, parts, or processes of manufacture specifically prescribed by the United States
for the performance of this contract: Provided, Immediate notice of any claim of infringe-
ment or of any legal proceedings in connection therewith is given in writing by the contrac-
tor to the chief o the bureau; And provided further, That the United States is permitted to
intervene in any such claim or proceeding and in its discretion to defend the same or to
make settlement thereof, in which events the contractor shall furnish all information and
assistance requested by the United States.

Article X. Neither this contract, nor any interest herein, shall be transferred by the
contractor to any other party, except to the extent permitted by section 3477, United
States Revised Statutes.

Article XI. No Member of or Delegate to Congress, or Resident Commissioner, is or
shall be admitted to any share or part of this contract, or to any benefit that may arise
therefrom; but this article shall not apply to this contract so far as it may be within the
operation or exceptions of section 116 of the act of Congress approved March 4, 1909 (35
Stats. 1109).

Article XII. No contract shall be made by the contractor with any other person for
furnishing any of the completed or substantially completed articles or work herein con-
tracted for, without the written approval of the contracting officer. Every contract and
subcontract made by the contractor in contemplation of or in connection with the perform-
ance of this contract shall state that it relates to this contract and shall contain a
provision that its unperformed portion may be assigned at any time by the contractor to
the United States, or its nominee.

Article XIII. The contractor expressly warrants that it has employed no third person
to solicit or obtain this contract in its behalf, or to cause or procure the same to be obtained
upon compensation in any way contingent, in whole or in part, upon such procurement;

PBOCUUEMENT 119

and that it lias not paid, or promised or agreed to pay, to any third person, in considera-
tion of such procurement, or in compensation for services in connection therewith, any
brokerage, commission, or percentage upon the amount receivable by it hereunder; and
that it has not, in estimating the contract price or compensation demanded by it, included
any sum by reason of any such brokerage, commission, or percentage; and that all moneys
payable to it hereunder are free from obligations to any other person for services rendered,
or svipposed to have been rendered, in the procurement of this contract. The contractor
further agrees that any breach of this warranty shall constitute adequate cause for the
annulment of this contract by the United States, and that the United States may retain to
its own use from any sums due or to become due hereunder an amount equal to any broker-
age, commission, or percentage so paid or agreed to be paid.

Article XIV. The contractor shall take all reasonable precautions for the protection
of the plant and property to be used in the performance of this contract and the work in
progress hereunder, against espionage, fire, explosion, acts of war, and acts of enemy aliens,
and shall provide such additional watchmen and devices, and adopt such particular measure
for the protection of such plant, property, and work as the contracting officer shall from
time to time direct. The contractor shall, when required, report to the contracting officer
the citizenship, country of birth, or alien status of any or all of its employees. When
required by the contracting officer, the contractor shall refuse to employ, or if already
employed, shall forthwith discharge from employment and exclude from its plants, any
person or persons designated by the contracting officer, for cause, as undesirable for
employment in a plant engaged on work for the United States. Failure to comply with
any or all of the provisions of this article shall render the contractor responsible for all loss
or damage to the United States arising from any of the hazards herein sought to be guarded
against and shall also be cause for the cancellation of this contract. The United States
shall pay to the contractor as an addition to the contract price or compensation, or as part
of the cost of the articles or work herein contracted for, any additional expense incurred
by the contractor, which, in the opinion of the contracting officer, is an additional expense
created by the enforcement of this article and resulting from action taken by the contractor
beyond or in addition to said above-mentioned reasonable precautions.

Article XV. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this contract, any claims,
doubts, or disputes which may arise under this contract, or as to its performance or non-
performance, and which are not disposed of by mutual agreement, may be determined, upon
petition of the contractor, by the Secretary of War or his duly authorized representative or
representatives. If the Secretary of War selects a board as his authorized representative to
hear and determine any such claims, doubts, or disputes, the decision of the majority of
said board shall be deemed to be the decision of the board. The decision of the Secretary
of War or of such duly authorized representative or representatives shall be final and
conclusive on all matters submitted for determination: Provided, That where the decision is
rendered by such representative or representatives, the Secretary of War, may, at his option,
either upon his own motion or upon petition filed with him by the contractor within 20
days after notice of the decision of such duly authorized representative or representatives
has been served upon him, review the action of such representative or representatives and
render his decision thereon. Any sum or sums allowed to the contractor under the provisions
of this article shall be paid by the United States as part of the cost of the articles or work
herein contracted for and shall be deemed to be within the compensation of this contract.

Article XVI. In the event that labor disputes shall arise directly affecting the perform-
ance of this contract and causing or likely to cause any delay in making the deliveries,
and the Secretary of War or his representative shall have requested the contractor to
submit such disputes for settlement, the contractor shall have the right to submit such
disputes to the Secretary of War for settlement. The Secretary of War may thereupon
settle or cause to be settled such disputes, and the parties hereto agree to accede to atid to
comply with all the terms of such settlement.

If the contractor is thereby required to pay labor costs higher than those prevailing in
the performance of this contract immediately prior to such settlement, the Secretary of War
or such representative in making such settlement and as a part thereof may direct that a

120 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

fair and just addition to the contract price shall be made therefor: Provided, however, That
the Secretary of War or his representative shall certify that the contractor has in all
respects lived up to the terms and conditions of the contract or shall waive in writing for
this purpose only any breach that may have occurred.

If such settlement reduces such labor cost to the contractor, the Secretary of War or
his representative may direct that a fair and just deduction be made from the contract
price.

No claim for addition shall be made unless the increase was ordered in writing by the
Secretary of War or his duly authorized representative and such addition to the contract
price was directed as part of the settlement.

Every decision or determination made under this article by the Secretary of War or
his duly authorized representative shall be final and binding upon the parties hereto.

Article XVII. All work required in carrying out this contract shall be performed in
full compliance with the laws of the State, Territory, or District of Columbia where such
labor is performed: Provided, That the contractor shall not employ in the performance of
this contract any minor under the age of 14 years or permit any minor between the ages
of 14 and 16 years to work more than eight hours in any one day, more than six days in any
one week, or before 6 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Nor shall the contractor directly or indirectly
employ any person undergoing sentence of imprisonment at hard labor which may have
been imposed by a court of any State, Territory, or municipality having criminal jurisdic-
tion: Provided, however, That the President of the United States may by Executive order
modify this provision with respect to the employment of convict labor and provide the
terms and conditions upon which such labor may be employed. These provisions shall be
of the essence of the contract.

Article XVIII. The contractor shall from time to time, and whenever so requested,
furnish to the chief of the bureau or to such person as the chief of the bureau may desig-
nate statements and reports on the progress of the performance of this contract and full
information on all factors relating to deliveries or performance hereunder. Representatives
of the United States shall have the privilege of visiting all offices and plants of the con-
tractor for the purpose of ascertaining the progress of the performance of this contract under
regulations prescribed by the chief of the bureau.

Any notice to the contractor under this contract, when not actually delivered in writ-
ing to the contractor, shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given when mailed in a
sealed, post-paid wrapper addressed to the contractor at the address above set forth. Any
notice to the United States under this contract, when not actually delivered in writing to
the chief of the bureau, shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given when mailed in a
sealed, post-paid wrapper addressed to the chief of the bureau, War Department,
Washington, D. C.

Article XIX. This contract shall be subject to the approval of the Surgeon General,
U. S. Army.

Article XX. The erasures and interlineations herein below specified were made in this
instrument before the signature of the contracting parties were affixed hereto, to wit: Line

In witness whereof the parties aforesaid have hereunto placed their hands the date
first hereinbefore written.

Witnesses:

Principals:

_. _ . __ U.S. Army.

as to.. _ _ -

(Executed in triplicate)

This form of contract was used in the purchase of supplies only. For
other needs the Medical Department had special forms of contracts. There

PROCUREMENT 121

were special forms for laundry work, 12 for services as a nurse, 13 with a private
physician, 14 and with an acting dental surgeon. 15 Civilian employees, hired for
the service of hospitals and supply depots, for the most part were given a form
of appointment but were not required to sign a formal agreement.

In the spring of 1917 a form of contract based on the cost of manufacture
of the articles or the performance of the work, plus a reasonable profit to the
manufacturer, was favored but not specifically ordered by the Secretary of War
in the procurement of supplies for the Military Establishment. This form was
also favored by the Council of National Defense. It was contemplated that
the actual cost of production, raw materials, and labor, etc., would be paid the
contractor for the articles furnished and to this cost would be added a profit of
10 per cent. Theoretically the principles upon which it was based were sound
if properly applied and if surrounded with sufficient safeguards. It assumed
that the contractor would use his best endeavors to keep his costs at the mini-
mum consistent with efficiency inasmuch as he was assured of a fair profit
and relieved of all risk. Many of the contractors were undertaking work with
which they were unfamiliar and were without experience upon which to calcu-
late their costs. The transformation of their plants and processes would be
expensive, and it appeared just that these expenses be borne by the Govern-
ment and included in the cost of the articles. A definite profit in the transac-
tion was assured them, and the hope of gain which is so essential to any
business venture was not withheld. The cost-plus contract, then, appeared to
be fully justified and worthy of general use. It filled a large place in the
procurement of supplies during the war. The abuses to which it was soon to
be subjected brought it into general disrepute, its use became less general
during the early part of 1918, and was discontinued August 1, 1918, except for
very special cases. 16

The manufacturers of surgical dressings saw, when the vast quantities of
surgical dressings required by the Medical Departments of the Army and Navy
were presented to them, that they were to embark upon a production schedule
far beyond anything previously attempted or even conceived. Additional
facilities would be required and personnel must be greatly augmented. They
were sensitive to the charge of profiteering and desired to be absolved from the
criticism of high prices for the articles which they were to furnish. The cost-
plus form of contract appeared to accomplish this end, to assure the Government
the supplies at a reasonable cost and the manufacturers a reasonable profit.
The proposal for this form of contract was taken up with the Council of National
Defense. By cooperation of the legal and accountancy sections of the council,
the representatives of the manufacturers and their attorneys, and the Surgeon
General's Office, a form of cost-plus contract was evolved which amply protected
the Government and the manufacturer and which stood the acid test of experi-
ence. The safeguards with which it was surrounded proved effectual. Because
of difficulties in accountancy and for various other reasons, this form of contract
fell into disuse when subsequent contracts were made for surgical dressings.
By the time deliveries on the first contracts had been completed and it became
necessary to purchase additional surgical dressings, the cost of production in the
several plants was sufficiently well known to the Surgeon General's Office to

122 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

judge whether subsequent bids were reasonable. The fixed-price contract was
thereupon resumed for all purchases, but many of them contained provisions
for adjustment of price to cover advances in cost of material and labor. There
were two variations in the form of the cost-plus contract to adapt its provisions
to the requirements of different manufacturing establishments for accountancy
purposes. In general this contract conformed to the following: 17

Those articles of agreement entered into this 23d day of June, nineteen hundred and
seventeen (XVII), between C. R. Darnall, Lieut. Colonel, Medical Corps, United States Army,
hereinafter designated as the contracting officer, acting for and on behalf of the United States
of America, of the first part, and Johnson and Johnson, a corporation under the laws of the
State of New T Jersey, of the city of New Brunswick, county of Middlesex, State of New Jer-
sey, hereinafter designated as the contractor, of the second part.

Witnesseth: That the said parties do mutually agree to and with each other, as ollows:
Article I. The contractor shall furnish and deliver to the contracting officer, free of all
extra charges whatsoever (except as hereinafter stated), f. o. b. contractor's works, and the
contracting officer acting for and on behalf of the United States agrees to purchase at the
prices and subject to the stipulations and conditions herein set forth, the articles enumerated
below, at the prices stated in the following schedule. The contractor, if requested by the
contracting officer, will make delivery at points other than the contractor's works, and any
additional cost of such delivery to such other points, such as freight, cartage, or other special
charges, shall be paid by the contractor (unless the contracting officer shall otherwise pro-
vide) and shall be reimbursed to the contractor.

SCHEDULE OK ARTICLES, PRICES, QUANTITIES, AND DELIVERIES

Two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) gross bandages, gauze, compressed, as per specifi-
cations, a copy attached hereto which is hereby made part of this contract, at $6.56 per

gross (six dollars and fifty-six cents per gross).
Delivery: 150,000 gross to be delivered in 4 months from date of approval of contract in

monthly shipments of proportionate quantities, balance in one year.
Twenty-one million five hundred thousand (21,500,000) packages gauze, absorbent,

sublimated, 2 half-yard lengths in package, as per specifications, a copy attached hereto

which is hereby made part of this contract, at $72.08 per 1,000 (seventy-two dollars

and eight cents per thousand).
Delivery: 1,500,000 packages to be delivered in 4 months from date of approval of contract

in monthly shipments of proportionate quantities, balance in one year.
Five hundred thousand (500,000) cartons sponges, gauze, compressed, 12 in carton, as per

specifications, a copy attached hereto which is hereby made part of this contract, at

$45.89 per 1,000 cartons (12 in carton) (forty-five dollars and eighty-nine cents per

thousand cartons).
Delivery: 100,000 to be delivered in 4 months from date of approval of contract in monthly

shipments of proportionate quantities, balance in one year.
Eight million five hundred thousand (8,500,000) packages cotton, absorbent, sterilized, in

1-oz. packages, as per specifications, a copy attached hereto which is hereby made part

of this contract, at $37.76 (thirty-seven dollars and seventy-six cents) per thousand

cartons.
Delivery: 750,000 pkgs. to be delivered in 4 months from date of approval of contract in

monthly shipments of proportionate quantities, balance in one year.
Three hundred sixty thousand (360,000) spools plaster, adhesive, zinc-oxide, one inch by 5

yards, each spool in carton, at $1.02 per dozen (one dollar and two cents per dozen)

or $85.00 (eighty-five dollars) per thousand.
Delivery: 85,000 spools to be delivered in 4 months from date of approval of contract in

monthly shipments of proportionate quantities, balance in one year.

The prices aforesaid, all and singular, will be revised every three months at the

request of either party (the first revision, if any, to be made on or about ),

and in the event of such revision said prices shall be decreased or increased for the three

PROCUREMENT 123

months next ensuing, by subtracting therefrom or adding thereto the decrease or increase,
if any, in the cost of such material and/or of such labor as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2
hereunder.

The contractor guarantees that the prices fixed herein shall not exceed the sum of the
four following items:

(1) Cost of material definitely ascertainable as devoted exclusively to said articles:
The basis of cost of raw cotton used shall be 20.70 per pound.

The cost of gray goods used shall be:

36-inch, 44 x 40, weight 8.5 yards per pound, 5%c. per yd.
38^-inch, 44 x 40, weight 8.2 yards per pound, 5J^c. per yd.
40-inch, 44 x 40, weight 8.0 yards per pound, 6 T ' e c. per yd.
36-inch, 32 x 28, weight 13.0 yards per pound, 3>gc. per yd.
36-inch, 28 x 24, weight 15.0 yards per pound, 3J^c. per yd.
36-inch, 24 x 20, weight 17.0 yards per pound, 3c. per yd.
36-inch, 20 x 16, weight 21.0 yards per pound, 2J^c. per yd.
36-inch, 56 x 56, weight 4.25 yards per pound, 9%c. per yd.
36-inch, 22 x 18, weight 19.0 yards per pound, 2 :! 4>. per yd.

(2) Cost of direct labor applied to said articles by the contractor, meaning thereby
cost of labor definitely ascertainable as devoted exclusively to said articles.

(3) Nineteen (19) per cent of the sum of (1) plus (2)— which percentage is herein
referred to as the specified overhead percentage — to cover indirect costs, overhead, and
burdens, such as a proper allowance for depreciation and amortization, rent, interest at the
rate of 6 per cent on the value of the plant, equipment, and inventories, and all expenses
except those incurred for advertising, selling, credit losses, customers' discounts, and collec-
tions, and except income, profits, franchise, and capital-stock taxes; and the contractor
guarantees that the specified overhead percentage does not exceed the percentage which the
total expenses of the kinds comprised in (3) bear to the total costs comprised in (1) plus (2)
in the total business of the contractor in articles of the general kind and character spe ified
in this contract for the fiscal year preceding the date of the execution of this contract.

(4) Ten per cent of the sum of (1) plus (2) plus (3).

As the experience of the contractor in regard to indirect costs, overhead, and burdens
while manufacturing the articles furnished hereunder may differ from the rate per cent speci-
fied in paragraph (3), and there defined as the specified overhead percentage, it is agreed that
the actual overhead percentage of the contractor in manufacturing the articles to be furnished
under this contract shall be taken as the ratio which the total expenses of the kinds comprised
in (3) bear to the total costs comprised in (1) plus (2) in the total business of the contractor
in articles of the general kind and character specified in this contract for the fiscal period
beginning on July 1, 1917, and ending on the inventory or fiscal closing date next subsequent
to the conclusion of the manufacture of articles to be furnished under this contract; and
that if the actual overhead percentage shall fall below 95 per cent of the specified overhead
percentage, an adjustment and decrease of compensation of the contractor shall be made by
calculating the prices of the articles furnished hereunder including the actual overhead per-
centage on the sum of (1) plus (2), in lieu of the specified overhead percentage, and 10 per
cent on that sum. The difference between the amounts calculated at the two prices shall be
credited or refunded to the United States, except that the contractor shall be allowed as
compensation, in addition to all other compensations herein provided for, the following pro-
portion of the amount here provided to be credited or refunded to the United States: If the
actual overhead percentage is less than 95 per cent of the specified overhead percentage,
the contractor shall be allowed 25 per cent of the difference; if the actual overhead percentage
is less than 90 per cent of the specified overhead percentage, the contractor shall be allowed
30 per cent of the difference; if the actual overhead percentage is less than 85 per cent of the
specified overhead percentage, the contractor shall be allowed 35 per cent of the difference;
if the actual overhead percentage is less than 80 per cent of the specified overhead per-
centage, the contractor shall be allowed 40 per cent of the difference; if the actual overhead
percentage is less than 75 per cent of the specified overhead percentage, the contractor shall
be allowed 45 per cent of the difference; if the actual overhead percentage is less than 70

124 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

per cent of the specified overhead percentage, the contractor shall be allowed 50 per cent of
the difference.

For example, taking the specified overhead percentage as 20 per cent, the following

would be the schedule:

Percentage of dilTerence
in price, to which con-
Actual overhead percentage: tractor would be entitled

Less than 19%, but not less than 18% 25%

Less than 18%, but not less than 17% 30%

Less than 17%, but not less than 16% 35%

Less than 16%, but not less than 15% 40%

Less than 15 % , but not less than 14% 45%

Less than 14% 50%

In making any investigation or verification as to costs, overhead expenses, outlays, or
profits, the Surgeon General of the United States Army may employ a public accountant or
accountants to be designated by him. The fees, if any, of such accountants shall, at the
option of the contracting officer, be paid by the contractor and reimbursed to him as an
extra charge.

The accounts and records and all original entries, vouchers, and supporting papers
shall be preserved for a period of two years after the completion or cessation of work under
this contract and shall be open at all reasonable times to the contracting officer or the
Compensation Revision Board or other representative of the Council of National Defense.
All information obtained from the contractor's accounts and records shall be treated as
confidential.

Article II. That all articles herein contracted for, for the preparation of which
instructions are provided by the U. S. Pharmacopoeia, latest edition, shall be made in accord-
ance therewith, and be equal to the standard thereby established, and that all other articles
shall be of the best grades on the market, unless otherwise specified, and be equal to the
original samples furnished, or the specifications, as the case may be, upon which this contract
is based.

Article III. That before delivering the articles aforesaid, the contractor shall put
them up securely in the necessary bottles, cartons, tins, boxes, crates, sacks, and other like
containers and coverings, and pack them suitably for Army transportation and storage in
such packing cases as may be required by the contracting officer or his authorized successors.
The said contractor shall furnish the said packing cases in every instance, and the containers
except as otherwise specified in Article I. The said packing cases and containers so furnished
by said contractor are to be new, and of uniform and appropriate make and size as deter-
mined by said contracting officer or his successors. The contractor shall plainly mark his
name and the contents on each packing case, and affix a label showing his name and the
contents on each bottle, carton, tin, box, etc., so packed as aforesaid. The prices enumer-
ated in Article I of this contract shall be full compensation for the services rendered, and
the packing cases, containers, and labels furnished, under the stipulations of this article, and
no extra charge therefor shall be made or allowed.

Article IV. Unless prevented by strikes or circumstances beyond the control of the
contractor, deliveries under this contract shall commence within thirty days or earlier,
if possible, after notice to the contractor of the approval of this contract, and shall be
completed according to the foregoing schedule of quantities and deliveries, which are esti-
mated but not guaranteed by the contractor, but which the contractor shall use its bests
efforts to accomplish, giving the preference in its plant or plants to work hereunder or
under similar contracts for the United States of America.

Article V. The contracting officer shall at all times be afforded proper facilities for
inspection of the work and materials and have access to the premises, the work and mate-
rials. The contractor shall furnish to the contracting officer such assistance as may be
required by him in order to determine the character of workmanship applied and the
quality of materials.

Article VI. The articles furnished and delivered hereunder, including packings and
containers, shall be examined and inspected without unnecessary delay by a person or persons

PROCUREMENT 125

to be designated by the United States, and if found equal to the conditions herein set forth,
shall be accepted and become the property of the United States. The said examination
may at the option of the United States be made by means of samples selected at random
from lots delivered. If any of the articles shall be found on said examination to be not
■equal to the quality herein stipulated for they shall be rejected and the contractor shall
remove them from the premises within ten days after notice thereof.

All articles which are not examined and inspected within fifteen days after notice that
the same are ready therefor, shall be accepted without examination or inspection.

Article VII. In the event that the contractor shall not receive shipping instructions
in accordance with the foregoing schedule of quantities and deliveries, the contractor may
store the articles awaiting such instructions, and add the cost of such storage as an extra
charge to the price specified herein.

Article VIII. Payments under this contract shall be made to the contractor as soon
as practicable after the delivery and acceptance of the articles aforesaid; but at least as
frequently as once a month, and not later then ten days after statements shall have been
rendered by the contractor covering the articles delivered and accepted during the preceding
calendar month and the price thereof as hereinbefore provided, and any extra charges
applicable thereto. And no payment under this contract shall delayed or deferred pending
any investigation or verification of any gaurantee or representation of the contractor herein
:any difference disclosed by such investigation or verification to be adjusted on subsequent,
payments which may become due hereunder.

Article IX. The contractor agrees for itself and on its account, and this contract is
upon the express condition that, no lien, or rights in rem of any kind, shall lie or attach
upon or against the articles to be furnished hereunder, or machinery, equipment or mat-
erials used in the manfacture thereof for or on account of any cause or thing, or any claim
or demand of any kind except the claim of the United States of America

Articles X. Unless this provision is waived by the contracting officer, the contractor
agrees that every contract made by it for the furnishing to it of materials, supplies, machin-
ery and equipment, or the use thereof, for the purposes of manufacturing the articles
agreed to be furnished hereunder, may be assignable to the Government.

Article XI. In the event of any dispute with reference to wages, hours, or other con-
ditions appertaining to said work, between the contractor or any subcontractor and labor
•employed by him in connection with furnishing the articles contracted to be furnished
hereunder, the contractor or subcontractor shall immediately notify the contracting officer
•of the existence of such dispute and the reasons therefor.

Article XII. That in case of failure of the contractor to fulfill the stipulations of this
contract according to their true intent and meaning, the contracting officer or such other
•officer as may be designated by proper authority may cause the services to be performed
and the articles to be furnished by any other person or persons, in open market, without
advertising therefor or otherwise, and the said contractor shall pay to the United States the
additional cost or expense thus incurred.

Article XIII. The contractor further agrees to hold and save the United States, their
•officers and agents, harmless from and against all and every demand or demands, of any
nature or kind, for or on account of the use of any patented inventions, article, or process
included in the articles hereby agreed to be furnished and the work to be done under this
agreement.

Article XIV. Neither this contract nor any interest therein shall be transferred
to any other party or parties, and in case of such transfer the United States may refuse to
carry out this contract either with the transferor or the transferee, but all rights of action
for any breach of this contract by the contractor are reserved to the United States.

Article XV. No Member of or Delegate to Congress, nor Resident Commissioner, nor
any other person belonging to or employed in the military service of the United States is,
or shall be, admitted to any share or part of this contract, or to any benefit that may arise
therefrom, but this article shall not apply to any contract within the operation or exception
of section 116 of the act of Congress approved March 4, 1909 (35 Stats. 1109).

126 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Article XVI. No person or persons shall be employed in the performance of this
contract who are undergoing sentence of imprisonment at hard labor imposed by the courts
of any of the several States, Territories, or municipalities having criminal jurisdiction.

Article XVII. It is understood and agreed that wherever the words "contracting
officer " are used herein they shall be construed to mean the contracting officer executing
this agreement, his successor in office, or any other person delegated by the Secretary of War
to assume the duties incumbent upon such contracting officer, and any duly appointed
representative of said contracting officer.

Article XVIII. No extra charge, e. g., for transportation beyond contractor's works
or for storage, shall be included in the items of cost enumerated in Article I, subdivisions
(l)-(3) hereof.

Article XIX. This contract shall be subject to the approval of the Surgeon General,
U. S. Army.

In witness whereof, the parties aforesaid have hereunto placed their hands the date
first hereinbefore written.

Witnesses: Principals:

(Signed) \V.\i. Paul Young. (Signed) C. R. Darnall,

Chas. M. Walton, Jr. Lt. Colonel, Med. Corps, Contracting Officer.

Johnson & Johnson.
COPIES REQUIRED

Prior to 1917, in writing up contracts six or seven impressions were made
of each sheet of the contract form. Of these the first three were signed by the
contractor and the contracting officer in the place prescribed on the form. The
three thus signed were denominated numbers to distinguish them from the
unsigned copies. Whenever the term number was used it referred to the signed
instrument. When the term copy was used it referred only to the unsigned
instrument. In August, 1917, an additional copy was called for in order that
data concerning the articles and quantities bein? purchased might be furnished
the War Industries Board of the Council of National Defense. 18 In 1918, another
copy was required for the inspection service. Additional copies were added
from time to time to meet new requirements as they arose. By the end of
1918 the number of copies required had about reached the limit of the typewriter
to produce in clear impressions.

DISPOSITION OF NUMBERS AND COPIES

Of the numbers of contracts, one went to the Auditor for the War Depart-
ment, one to the contractor, and the third to the Surgeon General's Office.
Two or three were for interdepot use. One, with the required affidavit of the
contracting officer attached, went to the returns office, Department of the
Interior, in conformity with law. One copy went to the War Industries Board,
Council of National Defense. One copy was furnished the customs service for
use of the inspectors of medical and hospital supplies. Later a copy was required
for the zone finance officer, the director of finance.

CONTRACT REVIEW

ADMINISTRATIVE

A contract entered into by a contracting medical officer required the
approval of the Surgeon General before it became effective. 19 If an emergency
existed and time was a vital element in initiating work under the contract,
authority occasionally was given by the Surgeon General to the contractin"-

PROCUREMENT 127

officer to waive Article XII of the contract, Form 41, which required this
approval. In such cases the contract became effective immediately upon
receiving the signature of both contracting parties. This authority often was
granted and was not extended during the. World War. After the three num-
bers of the contract, accompanied by a performance bond, when that was
required, had been received in the Surgeon General's Office they were subjected
to close scrutiny for any possible errors. If any were found which were mate-
rial, the contract or bond or both were returned to the contracting officer for
correction. If no material errors were found the contract formally was approved
and the approving officer inscribed his signature to the appropriate indorsement
on the second fold of the reverse side of the last sheet of the form of all three
numbers. One of these numbers was thereupon returned to the contracting
officer for transmittal to the contractor. The second number, accompanied by
one copy of the bond, if one were furnished, was sent to the Auditor for the
War Department, Treasury Department. The third number and the remain-
ing copy of the bond were filed in the Surgeon General's Office. To this num-
ber w T as attached a schedule of deliveries and disbursements.

NUMBERING

Prior to June, 1917, the contracts were given the file number of the
contractor with whom they were made and an appropriate subnumber. For
example, if the file number were 14501, the contract would be numbered
14501-A, or another subnumber. This system was discontinued with June
15, 1917, and a serial system begun. The first contract approved on June 16
was given the number 1. Thereafter each succeeding contract approved was
given a corresponding serial number. This series of numbers was continuous
without reference to the fiscal year. 20

BOARDS OF REVIEW

In January, 1918, there was created in the office of the Chief of Staff a
purchase service 21 under a director of purchases, charged, among other things,
with the supervision of all activities having to do with the placing of purchase
orders for manufactured products and the drawing of contracts. This service
became, in February, 1918, the purchase and supply division of the General
Staff, 22 and in April, 1918, the purchase branch of the purchase, storage, and
traffic division of the General Staff. 23 Under the director of purchases and
supplies was created the office of surveyor general of supplies, charged with
correlating the purchase, procurement, and production of munitions and other
supplies for the use of the Army with the industrial resources of the country. 22
The surveyor general became Second Assistant Secretary of War, charged with
all questions of purchase and supply for all bureaus of the War Department 24
and the office of surveyor general of supplies was abolished in April, 1918. 2!

Under these supervisory agencies many new methods based on civilian
commercial practice, changes, and innovations began to appear in the purchase
of supplies for the Military Establishment. Not the least among them were
the requirements introduced relating to awards, forms of contracts, and safe-
guards in the matter of placing contracts. Early in July, 1918, the Second

128 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Assistant Secretary of War directed consideration of a plan for the establish-
ment of boards of contract review in the several supply bureaus for the consid-
eration of all contracts in excess of $5,000 before such contracts were finally
executed. 25 The instructions of the Second Assistant Secretary on this subject
as finally promulgated to the service are contained in the following supply
bulletin:

Supply Bulletin No. 21.

War Department,
Purchase, Storage and Traffic Division, General Staff,

Purchase and Supply Branch,

Washington, August 16, 1918.
Subject: Boards of contract review in supply bureaus.

1. A board of contract review is hereby constituted in each supply bureau of the War
Department. Each such board shall consist of preferably 5 and not over 7 members,
including a representative of the finance section.

2. The duties of each such board shall be as follows:

(o) To approve or disapprove of the final form of proposed purchase transactions,
bearing in mind particularly the necessity of protecting the interests of the Government as
to price, terms, and conditions in the following classes of cases.

(1) All awards over $5,000.

(2) All cost-plus transactions.

(3) All awards where in cases of formal competitive bidding the award is recom-

mended to anyone other than the low bidder.

(4) Such other classes of cases as the board may consider desirable or as may, from

time to time, be designated by higher authority.
(6) To consider questions of purchase and contract policy within the bureau.

3. Minutes shall be kept showing the time and place of each meeting, the members
present, and as to all purchase transactions approved the following facts:

(a) Number of transaction.
(6) Name of contractor.

(c) Address of contractor.

(d) Subject matter.

(e) Total amount, actual or estimated.

Each cost-plus transaction and each award to other than the low bidder shall be indi-
cated on the minutes by appropriate reference. If any purchase transaction is disapproved
a statement thereof, together with its disposition, should appear on the minutes. If there
is a dissenting vote with reference to any purchase transaction, the vote thereon should be
recorded. A copy of the approved minutes should be transmitted daily to surveyor of
contracts, purchase and supply branch, purchase, storage, and traffic division, General Staff.
By authority of the Secretary of War:

Geo. W. Goethals,
Major General, Assistant Chief of Staff,

Director of Purchase, Storage and Traffic.

On June 1, 1918, in order to provide for a more careful and effective
scrutiny of contracts before they were submitted to the approving officer for
signature, there was established in the Surgeon General's Office a contracts
and authorization section in the finance and supply division. 26 The duties
devolved upon this section were the keeping of adequate records of authoriza-
tions granted for the purchase of supplies and of the articles purchased under
those authorizations; to scrutinize the contracts submitted for approval to dis-
cover whether they were authorized, whether they were technically correct as
to form, nomenclature, specifications, packing instructions, points of delivery,

rKOClUJEMEXT

129

etc., and expressed, so far as could be determined from them, the real cove-
nants between the contracting parties; that the requirements of Army Regula-
tions relative to authority of the signer had been observed; that proper
performance bond had been furnished or other security provided whenever
necessary; and that funds were available to cover the expenditures contem-
plated in the contract.

Shortly after the middle of July, 1918, a board of review for Medical
Department contracts was established in the finance and supply division of
the Surgeon General's Office, in compliance with the suggestion of the Second
Assistant Secretary of War above noted. 27 This board absorbed the duties of
the contracts and authorization section, and continued to function until the
armistice was signed. In order that it might have sufficient information to
enable it to act intelligently upon the contracts the following instructions were
sent to the purchasing officers of the Medical Department on July 26, 1918. 28

1. It is directed that in future all contracts, purchase orders, or interbureau procure-
ment requisitions from your depot contain the following information:

(a) File number under which authorization for purchase is given.

(6) Reference to bids or quotations on the basis of which material was purchased.

(c) Statement to the effect that purchase was made from lowest bidder or, if not
placed with lowest bidder, the reasons why it was not so placed must be
stated in memorandum attached to contract or purchase order.

2. Abstract of circular bids must be forwarded promptly for checking against purchases
made.

3. No purchase shall be made on the basis of verbal quotation. If quotation is made
by telephone or verbally, the bidder must confirm by letter in order that written quotation
may be available if called for.

The following form, adopted August 2, 1918, properly filled in, 29 was required
to be attached to each contract or purchase order submitted to the board for
approval.

To: The Surgeon General.

REASONS FOB AWARDING ATTACHED CONTRACT OR PURCHASE ORDER

The firm to whom the attached order is to be issued is as follows:

1. A manufacturer who will manufacture the material specified.

2. A dealer who lias in stock the material specified.

3. A dealer who partially owns or controls the output of the firm manufacturing the
materials.

Contractor Contract date

Circular proposal

Open market

Yes; no.

1. Competition obtained and award made as
follows:

2. Award made to other than low bidder for the

(6) Other than low bidder for the following
reasons:

{b) Low bid not in accordance with speci-

(c) Low bid quality unsatisfactory .

;*. Previous dealings with low bidder unsatis-

(e) Previous dealings with low bidder

Signed

30663—28-

Contracting Officer.

130 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The establishment of bureau boards of contracts review failed to complete
the chain of superior agencies created to sit in judgment upon contracts for
supplies for the Military Establishment. There was still needed, in the scheme
of organization, another agency to supervise and direct the bureau boards of
contract review. 30 The establishment of this agency could not long be held in
abeyance. It made its appearance under the title of superior board of review.
The organization and duties of this board and the date of its establishment
are given in the following supply bulletin :

Supply Bulletin No. 14.

War Department,
Purchase, Storage and Traffic Division, General Staff,

Purchase and Supply Branch

Washington, July 30, 1918.
Subject: Superior board of contract review.

1. A superior board of contract review is hereby constituted in the purchase and supply
branch, division of purchase, storage, and traffic, General Staff. This board shall consist of
the director of purchases and supplies, the surveyor of contracts, and either the chief procuring
officer of each supply bureau or a member of the board of contract review of each bureau
as may be designated by the bureau chief.

2. It shall be the duty of the superior board of contract review to consider the form
and policy of contracts and contracting methods of the various bureaus, to pass upon partic-
ular contracts or other matters relating to purchase that may be referred to it by the various
bureaus or higher authority, and to recommend its conclusions to the director of purchase,
storage, and traffic.

3. Questions arising within a bureau and requiring the attention of the superior board
of review, as specified in the preceding paragraph, shall be submitted, after consideration by
the bureau board of contract review, to the superior board hereby constituted.

By authority of the Secretary of War.

Geo. W. Goethals,
Major General, Assistant Chief of Staff,
Director of Purchase, Storage, and Traffic.

REFERENCES

(1) Act of July 16, 1798 (1 Stats. 610). Section 3714, Revised Statutes.

(2) Military Laws, Rules, and Regulations for the Army of the United States, Adjutant

and Inspector General's Office, January, 1820, p. 102.

(3) Ibid., p. 105.

(4) Supply Circulars Nos. 99, 102, 103, 110, 120, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division,

General Staff; October 11-Nov. 29, 1918.

(5) Section 3732, Revised Statutes as amended by act of June 12, 1906 (34 Stats. 255).

(6) Act of March 2, 1901 (31 Stats. 905).

(7) Act of July 5, 1884 (23 Stats. 109).

(8) Act of June 12, 1906 (34 Stats. 258).

(9) The Military Laws of the United States, 1915, fifth edition, Government Printing

Office, 1917, 438.

(10) Act of August 29, 1916 (39 Stats. 639).

(11) Supply Circular No. 88, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff, Septem-

ber 7, 1918.

(12) Form 42, Medical Department.

(13) Form 43, Medical Department.

(14) Form 44, Medical Department.

(15) Form 45, Medical Department.

(16) Supply Bull. No. 11, Purchase and Supply Branch, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic

Division, General Staff, August 1, 1918.

PROCUREMENT 131

(17) Copy of contract between Lieut. Col. C. It. Darnall, M. C, and Johnson and Johnson,

June 23, 1917. On file, Medical Supply Depot, New York, Field Medical Supply
Depot files.

(18) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

St. Louis, Mo., August 25, 1917. Subject: Extra copy of contracts. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 713 ~ 539 .

(19) Form 41, Medical Department, Article XII.

(20) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Director of Purchases and Supplies, Mills

Building, Washington, D. C, July 5, 1918. Subject: System of numbering contracts.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 750_1 ^ D ' P '-

87

(21) General Orders, No. 5, War Department, January 11, 1918.

(22) General Orders, No. 14, War Department, February 9, 1918.

(23) General Orders, No. 36, War Department, April 16, 1918.

(24) General Orders, Nos. 25 and 44, War Department, March 11, and May 7, 1918.

(25) Letter from the Second Assistant Secretary of War to Brig. Gen. Hugh S. Johnson,

Director of Purchases and Supplies, July 10, 1918, relative to boards of review. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. 0., 7 ~^ : '^^ > ' F -

(26) Division order of Col. C. R. Darnall, M. C, to Chief of Finance and Supply Division,

May 29, 1918. Contract and Authorization Section. On file, Finance and Supply

tv • • a ^ r. 750-714 S. G.
Division, S. G. O., ~rz — ; ■

ozl— A

(27) First indorsement from the Surgeon General to the Chief of Staff, July 19, 1918,

relative to boards of contract review. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

a „ „ 750-198 D. P
S. G. O., jg^

(28) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, July 26, 1918. Subject: Contracts, etc. On file, Finance and Supply

t-.. . . „ ,-, „ 713-Misc.

Division, S. G. O., „-.

64

(29) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, August 2, 1918. Subject: Contracts, etc. On file, Finance and Supply

rv . . a r\ r\ 713-Misc.

Division, S. G. O., ■=-.

64

(30) Letter from the Director of Purchase, Storage, and Traffic to Maj. Gen. W. C. Gorgas,

Surgeon General of the Army, July 24, 1918. Subject: General Board of Contract

Review. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 750 ~ 19 g D ' R -

CHAPTER VII

FACTORS AFFECTING PRODUCTION OF SUPPLIES

Many difficulties of greater or less magnitude confronted the manufacturers
of medical and hospital supplies in the production of the articles which they
had undertaken to furnish. Many of these difficulties were doubtless unavoid-
able. Some of them were due to regulations which, while justifiable in principle,
appeared to be applied without sufficient discrimination and latitude. If
some of the manufacturers complained of these difficulties and restrictions, they
were not without justification. While the difficulties were legion, the more
important, stated in the order of their development, were shortages of skilled
labor, fuel, power, transportation, raw materials, and semifinished products,
augmented by the control exercised over distribution.

LABOR

One of the most unfortunate but common conditions which confront
industry in times of peace is the labor turnover. This turnover is more or less
periodic and varies with the year, the season, the locality, the individual factory,
and the industry. The causes are numerous, but the condition is chronic. It
is apt to be exaggerated by unsettled or unusual conditions and to become
acute when a shortage threatens. The lure of higher wages reported to be
paid elsewhere creates unrest and a desire for a change, and engenders a roving
disposition. This is particularly noticeable during war periods when the turn-
over is apt to be rapid and wasteful and to remain high during the entire
period in spite of efforts to prevent it. This condition obtained during the
years 1917-18. »

The shortage of skilled labor in certain of the trades supplying the
Medical Department began to manifest itself early in June, 1917. It was
due in part to the high wages being paid in other industries, at navy yards
and at the cantonment construction camps. 2 It was influenced to no small
extent by the entry of employees within the draft age into the military
service. Many of these men preferred to enlist, while enlistments were
permitted, to being called in the draft, 3 The first draft was made without
regard to the importance to industry of the men drafted or consideration
of the part industry was destined to play in winning the war. Men had to be
provided for the Army and time did not permit a selection to be made.
Accordingly, selections were made by lot, Later on the selections for the
draft gave more consideration to the needs of industry. It was not the
intention, even in the first draft, to reduce the efficiency of any manufacturer
producing supplies for the Military Establishment. But general exemption
could not be made to include any particular industry or class of workers.

133

134 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Each case was considered on its own merits. 4 Exemptions could be had in
individual cases by the individual himself claiming exemption and stating
the reason for his claim. The manufacturer supported the claim with an
affidavit setting forth the fact that the individual was engaged upon work for the
Government and furnished such other information as the local district appeals
board considered necessary. 5 If the board considered the claim meritorious
the exemption was granted and the man remained at his task.

In so far as medical supplies were concerned, the surgical-instrument indus-
try was, perhaps, the most sensitive to fluctuations in the the labor situation
and to losses of skilled workmen. The reasons for this sensitiveness are given
in greater detail in the chapter on surgical instruments. Even in peace times
the number of such workmen is inadequate. The prospect of meeting the
war requirements was very doubtful. Those requirements could be met only
by conserving the skilled workmen as much as possible and by utilizing them
as instructors and supervisors of the new workmen employed in the industry.
Consequently strenuous efforts were made to retain the skilled workmen in this
industry. Every assistance which could be given by the Surgeon General to
retain these men was given. Manufacturers were informed of the procedures
to be followed in securing the exemption of their workers. Applications from
men in Class I, liable to be called by the draft, were forwarded through the
Surgeon General's Office, where measures were initiated to have such men
placed in a deferred classification. If the men actually were called in the draft
they could be transferred to the enlisted reserve corps, placed on the inactive
list, and returned to their employers. 6

As the available workmen became fewer in number contractors began to
compete with one another, advertising more and more favorable conditions and
wages. 4 Employment agencies were established in various cities for recruiting
labor. The Post Office Department cooperated in the effort to bring employers
and employees together. 7 But these efforts were not always well considered
or the agencies well coordinated in this matter. The activities sometimes con-
flicted with the interests of local factories engaged upon Government contracts,
and skilled workmen were lost through such measures. In May, 1918, com-
plaint was received from a factory in Erie, Pa., that special efforts were being
made to engage the skilled mechanics in that vicinity, where the bulk of pro-
duction was on Government contracts, for employment in other cities on other
Government contracts. 8 Prompt representation was made to the Labor Admin-
istration of this state of affairs with request that the condition be remedied.

Just as the Railroad, Food, and Fuel Administrations were brought into
being to conserve and the more effectively distribute transportation, food, and
fuel, so the United States Employment Service was established early in January
to conserve and distribute the existing supply of labor. This service consisted
of a labor administrator with an able advisory council in Washington and
a labor administrator in every State. 9 Its continuing effort was to reduce the
labor turnover, to prevent competition in the employment of labor, and to
assist industries engaged upon Government contracts in securing needed work-
men. Near the end of May, 1918, a complaint was received by the Surgeon
General from a manufacturer in Boston, Mass., to the effect that sufficient

PROCUREMENT 135

labor could not be had locally to make possible the production of the quanti-
ties stipulated in his contract. 10 This complaint was promptly referred to the
United States Employment Service by the Surgeon General, with request for
assistance and relief. 11 So far as is known the shortage was relieved through
the efforts of this service. 12

Just as priorities were esta' dished in industry to provide munitions and
the industries were arranged on a preference list, so measures were institued
to control the flow and supply of labor. The classifications of industries and
automatic ratings applied by the priorities commissioner came, in the fall of
1918, to be the rules observed in guiding the flow of labor. 13

FUEL

Production during the greater part of the year 1917 was uneventful save
for the dislocation incident to labor changes and transportation. Fuel was
had in sufficient quantities and with reasonable dispatch. The winter of
1917-18 set in early and was unusually severe throughout the entire United
States. Heavy snows interfered with the mining of coal and greatly impeded
railway traffic. Seaboard terminals and junction points of the railways were
congested with east bound overseas traffic. The distribution of supplies,
including coal, was in a fair way to be paralyzed. By the end of December
conditions east of the Mississippi River were such that a fuel famine impended.
To prevent this, prompt and vigorous action was necessary. Fuel was placed
entirely under Federal control. The agency set up for this purpose was
designated the Fuel Administration, under a chief called the Fuel Administra-
tor, located at Washington, D. C. Local fuel administrators were appointed in
various large cities and particular districts assigned to each of them. Stringent
regulations were promulgated concerning the conservation and use of coal and
other fuel. Certain mines or groups of mines were designated to supply similar
designated areas. Soon the control became absolute. Fuel was placed on an
allowance or ration basis. Only a limited quantity was allowed to any con-
sumer. Orders issued by the Fuel Administrator on January 16 required the
closing of industrial establishments on Monday of each week during January,
February, and March. 14

Since certain supplies for the Army were of such vital importance that any
cessation of production would interfere with the military program, arrangements
were made to exempt the manufacturers of such articles from the closing order.
The number of these articles, however, was limited. To obtain this exemption
for any factory it was necessary for the chief of the supply bureau to make
application therefor and to submit a certificate as to the urgency of the need
for the articles manufactured at the particular factory. The Secretary of War
directed the fuel and forage division of the Quartermaster General's Office to
handle all matters relating to fuel for the Military Establishment and War
Department and to assist the contractors of the various supply bureaus to
secure their fuel requirements in cases of emergency. 15 The procedure for
obtaining fuel and closing exemption for contractors is indicated in the follow-
ing copy of the blank form provided for the purpose:

136 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

No. .

Office of

Washington, D.C., , 1918.

Memorandum for the Secretary of War:

I certify that in my opinion the contractors set forth in the list annexed hereto are
engaged upon the production of supplies for the war emergency, of such immediate import-
ance that any delay in the continuity of such production would seriously interrupt the
program of this department:

Names of contractors: Articles manufactured:

(Signature)

(Kank)

(Certificate to be signed in duplicate by Chief of Bureau, and transmitted to the fuel and
forage division, Q. M. G. O., Room 490, War Department)

Office of the Quartermaster General
Fuel and Forage Division,

Washington, D. C, 1918.

Respectfully transmitted to the Secretary of War, for his action.

Lieut. Colonel, Q. M. Corps.

Office of the Secretary of War,

Washington, D. C, 1918.

Respectfully transmitted to the Fuel Administration, recommending that firms above
named be exempted from the provisions of any orders which would interfere with the
continuity of production of articles set forth.

Authority was granted by the national Fuel Administrator in January, 1918,
for the exemption from the closing order of manufacturers of surgical instru-
ments, surgical dressings, biologicals, and medicines. The Secretary of War
declined to consider exemption for other manufacturers of supplies for the
Medical Department. While these manufacturers were placed in the exempted
class by the national Fuel Administrator, the actual exemptions were obtained
through the local fuel administrators. As frequently happens in a newly formed
organization, there was a material difference of opinion between different admin-
istrators over the granting of these exemptions. Some of the administrators
granted the exemption upon the request of the medical supply officer, while
others refused to grant exemption without direct instructions from the Chief
Fuel Administrator. 16 Adjustments finally were made, and by judicious use of
the quantities of fuel allowed production went on with very little diminution
or inconvenience.

The following instructions were received by the Surgeon General, January
19, 1918, to guide in the preparation of requests for assistance in securing fuel
for contractors: 17

In cases of necessity, contractors and subcontractors having contracts for furnishing
supplies for the War Department should make application to the Armv officer with whom
they have a contract, or with whom their principal has a contract, for the necessary fuel

PROCUREMENT 137

for the running of their establishment, stating the quantity needed. They should also state
the percentage of their output covered by Army contracts.

The Army officer concerned will check up these requests and satisfy himself of the
necessity for same. Having done so, he will transmit the requests promptly to the chief of
his corps or department especially designated to handle fuel matters, who will examine the
requests and see that they are not duplicated within his corps or department. This officer
will, each day, transmit the requests to the chief of the fuel and forage division of the
Quartermaster General's Office, indicating their relative order of emergency.

The chief of the fuel and forage division, Quartermaster General's Office, will examine
these requests, with a view to seeing that there is no duplication among the several depart-
ments, and will have an officer of his division especially detailed for the purpose, present
them personally to the proper official of the Fuel Administration and cooperate with the
transportation division with a view to having cars provided for this fuel.

This will avoid the present confusion resulting from having a large number of different
officers from different bureaus all dealing independently with the Fuel Administration.

Information should be sent to all contracting officers of the War Department, giving
them the information, and they should be instructed to notify all their contractors
accordingly.

Additional instructions from the Quartermaster General's Office required
the following information with every application from a contractor for assist-
ance in securing fuel: Location of the plant; railroad connections at the plant;
kind of fuel required; quantity of fuel required, weekly, for production of War
Department supplies only; existing contracts, if any (state with whom); cur-
rent purchases (with whom placed); quantity of fuel on hand; quantity of fuel
in transit; percentage of production on War Department contracts.

ELECTRIC POWER

On January 15, 1918, the Surgeon General was advised by the Council of
National Defense that there had developed a shortage of electric power in the
State of New Jersey for manufacturing purposes. 18 Since current there could
be supplied for only the most urgent needs, some manufacturing industries must
do without. In order to distribute the available power to the most urgent
needs of the various supply bureaus, lists of manufacturers were called for
showing the location of the plants engaged upon the most urgent war work in
New Jersey. 18 Only those plants were to be included in the lists whose products
were absolutely necessary and could not withstand a delay of a week or 10 days.
After a careful sifting of the applications for power the approved lists were
furnished the Power Co. of New Jersey by the Council of National Defense.

The Medical Department at that time had contracts with 35 manufacturers
in New Jersey. In the list submitted by the Surgeon General in compliance
with the instructions above referred to, these 35 factories were divided into 4
groups in accordance with the urgency of the need for the articles which they
respectively produced. 19 Group I included only the makers of gas-mask parts,
of whom there were 10. Group II included only glassware. There were four
firms in this group. Group III included 8 manufacturers, of whom 3 produced
medicines, 1 surgical instruments, 1 hypodermic syringes and thermometers,
2 surgical dressings, and 1 tin cans for containers. Group IV included manu-
facturers of splints, mattresses, gatch frames, blankets, duck, ophthalmoscopes,
and ambulance boxes. The products of the manufacturers not included in the

138 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

list were not considered of such urgency that the delay anticipated would
interfere with the military program.

A shortage of electric power developed in the district ahout Worcester,
Mass., at the end of January, 1918. This district extended into the near-by
parts of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Restrictive measures
similar to those applied to New Jersey were applied to this district also.
Fortunately the urgent needs of the Medical Department in this area were
limited to two firms in Providence, R. I. One of these firms made surgical
needles, the other caustic soda for the Gas Defense Service.

There was a chronic shortage of electric power throughout the "congested
area" until the end of the war. This area was bounded by the Atlantic Ocean
and a line drawn through the Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore, Harrisburg, Altoona,
Binghamton, Schenectady, the Hudson River, and the northeastern boundary
of New York State. Similar shortages persisted in the districts supplied by
power companies at Canton, Baltimore, Massillon, Alliance, Niagara Falls, Pitts-
burgh, Connellsville, Wheeling, Youngstown, and Akron. In these localities
clearance was required for all orders placed therein.

TRANSPORTATION

Difficulties in securing freight cars for the transportation of raw and semi-
finished materials to the contractors' factories and of the finished products to
destination began early and continued throughout the war. Requests for
assistance in securing transportation received in the Surgeon General's Office
were numerous. The efforts to provide the cars requested were generally
successful, but the delay in securing them was often irksome to the manufact-
urers, whose employees were often dependent upon the prompt delivery of the
material to the plant for a continuation of their employment. There was close
liaison between the transportation branch of the finance and supply division of
the Surgeon General's Office and various railway officials prior to the amalgama-
tion of all railroads under the Railroad Administration, and with the officials
of that administration after the consolidation. By reason of this liaison it
was possible to obtain cars with a minimum of difficulty.

RAW MATERIALS

The Medical Department was not seriously disturbed in the accomplish-
ment of its mission by shortages of raw materials. At times these materials
were scanty and difficult to secure. The Medical Department, in common
with other supply bureaus, experienced many inconveniences arising from a
supply of certain raw materials inadequate to the demand. The most promi-
nent among these materials were steel, wool, cotton linters, nonferrous metals,
and certain basic chemicals required in the manufacture of medicinal agents.
The term "raw materials" as used here includes all those materials, whether
the untreated products of nature or the semifinished products of other manu-
facturers, utilized within the factories of the makers of medical and hospital
supplies and equipment in the fabrication of the finished article. Delays
frequently were experienced by manufacturers in securing needed materials
from lack of suitable priorities. This was particularly true of steel plates for

PROCUREMENT 139

the manufacture of steam boilers for the hospital sterilizing sets and the porta-
ble disinfectors. Fortunately the delays and difficulties experienced in securing
raw materials did not at any time prevent the delivery of needed equipment
and supplies to the hospitals and in the field in time to meet the expected
need. Oftentimes the margin between supply and shortage was very narrow,
but somehow the supplies arrived before the need became acute. If it were
not practicable to obtain the exact articles desired, the nearest substitute was
accepted. In general the question of production depended far more upon
facilities and labor than upon the supply of raw materials.

Shortages in both basic raw materials and in manufacturing facilities for cer-
tain pharmaceuticals were noticeable during the early procurements of the war.
As the prices of these articles were very high, their purchase was discontinued
until the prices reached a level at which the articles could be purchased.
Meanwhile substitutes were provided. Thus phenacetin (acetphenetidinum)
was quoted at |16 per pound in the early part of 1917 and acetanilid was sub-
stituted. When manufacturing processes had become sufficiently available to
produce phenacetin at a reasonable price its purchase was resumed. Thymol
was displaced by oil of chenopodium in the treatment of hookworm. The
supply of atropine and homatropine was very scanty and the prices were almost
prohibitive during the early months of the war. 20 The alkaloids of stramonium
were substituted. Later, manufacturing processes were perfected whereby
atropine was obtained directly from stramonium seed. Novocaine, later termed
procaine in the United States, was unavailable for a time due to lack of
manufacturing facilities. These articles will be referred to again under
pharmaceuticals.

For a number of medicinal agents the raw materials or crude drugs are
obtained wholly or in part by importations from abroad. It was among this
■class of pharmaceuticals that the chief difficulties developed from the stand-
point of raw materials. Some of the most important remedies belong to this
group, notably opium and its alkaloids, quinine, camphor, and iodine. The
bulk of the opium, quinine, and native camphor comes from the Orient. Iodine
comes from the nitrate beds of Chile. The critical period for opium and quinine
occurred early during the war. The camphor and iodine situation became
acute near the end of the war.

Quinine comes mostly from the Dutch East Indies. Although a small
quantity comes from South America, the East Indies product is preferable.
The earliest purchases of quinine in 1917 were made without difficulty. Sub-
sequent purchases became more difficult because of the limited quantity of
cinchona bark which arrived in the United States. Through limiting the quan-
tities to be purchased and by cooperation with the firms importing cinchona
bark 21 the situation was tided over until better arrrangements could be made
with the Government of Holland for the export of that commodity. The
agreement with that Government became effective in April, 1918, and there-
after the quinine situation improved. 22 By autumn the importers were able to
advise the Surgeon General that all Army requirements could be met. 23

The requirements for opium, morphine, and codeine for the first purchase
of pharmaceuticals during the summer of 1917 were met without difficulty from

140 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

existing stocks. Thereafter it became increasingly difficult to obtain them at
reasonable prices. Arrangements were made with the Customs Bureau of the
Treasury Department for the transfer of approximately 4,000 pounds of smok-
ing opium 24 which had accumulated from seizures for attempted smuggling.
The contained alkaloids were extracted from this lot of opium and yielded 3,500
ounces of morphine and 1,470 ounces of codeine. 25 Orders were placed in Eng-
land in December, 1917, under instructions from the Surgeon General, for 5,000
ounces of codeine and 8,000 ounces of morphine. 26 Delivery of these supplies
was made to the New York medical supply depot, 2,000 ounces of codeine and
2,500 ounces of morphine in February, 1918, and the balance during July of
the same year. 27 With these supplies the opium-morphine-codeine situation
was satisfactorily met. The question of growing the poppy in the United States
and the extraction of the morphine from the dried pods was considered but was
abandoned in deference to popular prejudice.

The early requirements in camphor had easily been met, but with the
advent of the automatic supply table from France and the rapidly increasing
number of troops in the American Expeditionary Forces quantities in excess
of the supply began to become manifest. The automatic supply table called
for a monthly shipment of 500 pounds per month for every unit of 25,000
men. 28 Camphor was used largely in the preparation used to prevent "trench
foot." The estimates of May 27, 1918, called for 125,000 pounds of camphor
for the following six months. 29 By September the estimates had risen to
170,000 pounds for September and October alone.™ Those for the six months
ending with February amounted to 600,000 pounds. 31 Synthetic camphor
was not produced in the United States in sufficient quantities to meet the
needs of the celluloid industry, and dependance had to be placed upon the
imported natural product. Natural camphor is obtained almost exclusively
from Formosa. Its export from Japan is controlled by the Japanese Monopoly
Bureau, 31 which, for trade reasons, limits the quantity which can be exported
to any country. The requirements exceeded the import allowance and it
became necessary to take up with the Japanese ambassador the question of
increased import of crude camphor. 31 This was done in September, 1918.

The principal sources of supply of iodine, as already noted, are the nitrate
beds of Chili. Since, during the year 1917, more than 700,000 pounds of
iodine were shipped into the United States, 32 the requirements of the Medical
Department for this substance during 1917 were met without difficulty.
However, as more and more tonnage was diverted to the transportation of
men and supplies to the American Expeditionary Forces during 1918, less
tonnage was available for imports of nitrates. This limited materially the
quantity of iodine which could be shipped, and the probabilities of a shortage
became increasingly greater. The need for nitrates for munitions and fertilizers
had stimulated their production from seaweed on the California coast. Plants
were erected for the extraction of nitrates and iodine from the ash of the
seaweed, and gave promise of being a valuable adjunct to the supply of those
articles. The market situation on iodine eased off before the armistice was
signed and the threatened shortage did not develop.

PROCUREMENT 141

IRON, STEEL, AND THEIR PRODUCTS

It was manifestly impossible for all industries using steel and iron in
their activities to obtain their normal supply. It accordingly became necessary
to curtail the consumption of iron and steel by the various industries and to
limit the output so far as practicable to essential uses without destroying or
seriously injuring any industry. Much was done to conserve the supply by
reducing the needless lines, varieties, and sizes of products. This resulted in
economy in manufacture and reduced the volume of stocks to be carried.
Wasteful styles, models, and methods were eliminated. Substitutes in prod-
ucts and materials were provided wherever practicable for those needed in
war work which conserved the latter and did not reduce production. Meas-
ures were taken, therefore, for the rationing of industry. 33 The manner in
which this was accomplished is described in the following chapter. Marked
reduction in the quantities consumed by nonwar industries was required,
amounting in many cases to 50 per cent or more. The allowance to some
industries was practically nil. To those considered more or less essential,
allowances were made in proportion to their estimated importance to the
public welfare.

The allowances to industries supplying articles required for war purposes
were covered by priorities as already described. Therein lay the only difficulty
experienced by the Medical Department in the production of equipment for its
personnel and the performance of its mission. Probably because of the kind
of steel, the comparatively small quantity required for the purpose, and the
urgency of the need, so far as can be learned there was never any difficulty in
securing steel for surgical and dental instruments and appliances. Clearances
were promptly granted and satisfactory priorities given. Deliveries were made
without delay. Nor did there arise material difficulty in securing an adequate
supply of steel for operating-room furniture and enamel ware, for cooking and
serving food. When it came to steel plates for boilers for portable disinfec-
tors and sterilizing apparatus for hospitals quite a different situation obtained.
Here delay followed delay and the priorities granted did not seem to be suffi-
ciently high to provide deliveries in a reasonable time. 34 The first difficulty in
securing boiler plate occurred on the contracts of December, 1917. These
contracts were placed before the priorities regulations had become fully
effective. Nor did the situation improve greatly after the priority system was
in full swing. 34

A material delay was experienced in the autumn of 1918 in securing hos-
pital beds at a time when the hospital situation both in the United States and
in France was critical. The estimates were for 300,000 beds. The interbureau
procurement requisition system was in force. Because of the emergency, a
contract for 100,000 bedsteads was placed fairly promptly by the procuring
bureau and deliveries were made within a satisfactory period. The procure-
ment of the remaining 200,000 did not proceed rapidly or smoothly. A
controversy arose over the type of finish, the contractor, and the priority on
them. These beds were of a type in which the head and foot pieces folded
under the body of the bedstead for shipment. The white-enamel finish had
been tried out and found unsatisfactory due to the readiness with which it

142 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

chipped in handling. An electro-galvanized finish, which did not have this
undesirable quality, was adopted instead of the white enamel. It could be had
at practically the same price and was very much more durable. The director
of purchases and supplies, however, disapproved the finish on the grounds that
beds with that finish could be made by only two manufacturers, and directed
that an aluminum paint finish be substituted for it. 34 The Surgeon General
protested against this ruling, but in vain. 35 When it came to place the contract
for the 200,000 beds the manufacturer who had already produced a great num-
ber of them offered to make the entire amount and to make deliveries at the
rate of 100,000 per month. A controversy arose over the price to be paid for
the beds. The procuring bureau thereupon placed a mandatory order against
the manufacturer for them. When it came to securing a priority for the steel
tubing the War Industries Board decided that the manufacturer had exceeded
the 50 per cent civilian business allowed under a priorities ruling and refused
to grant the priority. A meeting of all the bedstead manufacturers was then
called and the matter discussed at length. 36 The final result was that the
manufacturer who had offered to make the entire lot was granted the priority,
and production started more than two months after the interbureau requisition
was placed.

Clearance was requested on August 24, 1918, for the purchase of 3,000
wheeled hospital fitter carriers. These carriers were made entirely of steel
except the rubber tires of the wheels. In the manufacture of that number of
carriers 120,750 pounds of steel were required. The request was put forward
at a time when the prospective need of this device in France was becoming
daily more urgent. These carriers were designed to receive the patient on the
litter as he came from the ambulance or train, to utilize the litter as an operating
table, to finish the operation or dressing upon it, and finally to transfer the
patient to the ward without removing him from the litter or the litter from the
carrier during the entire process. Clearance was at first refused in the effort
to conserve steel. A wooden model was proposed by the clearance committee
of the War Industries Board. The representatives of the Surgeon General in
conferences with the committee refused to accept the substitute for structural
and sanitary reasons. A tentative clearance on 1,500 carriers was granted by
the committee. The representatives of the Surgeon General considered that
3,000 was the minimum requirement and request for that number was renewed.
The request was finally granted by the committee, after a forcible presentation
by the chief of the finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office, of the
results and complaints which would ensue from a failure to provide the required
number of carriers. 37

NONFERROUS METALS

Of this group, the metals which were of importance to the Medical Depart-
ment were aluminum, antimony, copper, manganese, mercury, nickel, platinum,
potassium, silver, tin, and zinc. No large quantities of any of them were
required. Probably the largest requirements were in aluminum, copper, nickel,
tin, and zinc.

Aluminum was used extensively for large-sized cooking utensils and for
mess equipment. In the field equipment aluminum bowls, plates, and saucers

PROCUREMENT 143

originally were provided for the chests of tableware. Since experience proved
that enamel ware could be substituted for the aluminum ware in these articles
to advantage and at a considerable saving in cost, later procurements of these
chests were provided with enamel ware instead of aluminum ware. 38 For the
very large pots (coffee boilers and stock pots of 36 to 40 size), hotel sauce pans,
trays, etc., where they were subjected to rather hard usage aluminum ware was
found the more satisfactory. The total purchases of aluminum vessels during
the six months ending July, 1918, contained approximately 40,000 pounds of
aluminum. 39 The estimate for the succeeding six months was 55,000 pounds. 40

Antimony was used only in the official antimony and potassium tartrate of
the standard supply table. Of this preparation, however, only 11,500 bottles
containing one-half ounce each were purchased. So little of it was used that it
never became a problem to procure the needed quantity.

Copper was required for the shells of the sterilizers and water tanks of the
standard sterilizer outfits for hospitals. Alloyed with zinc, it appeared in the
manufacture of the hollow instruments used in surgery. Alloyed with zinc and
nickel, it appeared as nickel silver in the tableware supplied for hospital purposes,
knives, forks, tablespoons, and teaspoons. Much of the tableware was silver
plated and thereby involved four metals in the finished product. While difficulty
was experienced in the earlier purchases by the manufacturers of sterilizer sets,
in securing the shells for the dressing sterilizers and water sterilizers from the
firms which drew them, no difficulty appears to have been experienced in securing
a sufficient quantity of copper sheets for the instrument and utensil sterilizers.
The difficulty was one of production of the semifinished product rather than of
raw materials.

Manganese appeared only in the potassium permanganate of the supply
table, of which, because of excessive cost, only 10,050 pounds were purchased.

Mercury finds a more extended use in medicine and hospital practice. It
appears among the medicinal agents on the supply table in the forms of the
corrosive chloride, calomel, yellow iodide, yellow oxide, and the salicylate. It
appears as an article of dental use in the redistilled mercury, of which 11,100
pounds were purchased. It is required also in the manufacture of clinical
thermometers, bath thermometers, and mirrors. While the prices for this
substance were high, there was never any shortage, due to domestic production
and imports. 41

The chief use of nickel in medical and hospital practice is as a protective
agent to prevent the rusting of instruments and as a plating for copper utensils.
Its use in tableware has already been mentioned. Inasmuch as the bulk of
nickel ore comes from Canada, the question was one of transportation rather
than of production. No actual shortage was experienced.

Platinum finds its chief place in the medical science in the form of crucibles
and wire for laboratory work, and wire for X-ray tubes. 42 It also appeared
in the breaker points of magnetos in the ambulances and motor cycles pur-
chased. The quantity actually required was comparatively small. Small as
it was, great conservation was necessary to provide the quantity needed. A
substitute wire, called nichrome, was utilized in laboratory work to save
platinum.

144 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Tin was required by the Medical Department only as tin plate for con-
tainers for medicines and canned foodstuffs, and for certain kitchen utensils.
While the supply was limited, due to insufficient water transportation to bring
it from the Federated Malay States, no real shortage developed.

Zinc finds its use in medicine in the form of the sulphate and to a lesser
extent in other medicinal compounds. It is used in the making of brass, and
as a protective agent for metals, such as galvanized buckets, electro-galvanized
bedsteads, etc. Domestic production was adequate to the needs, and no
shortage arose therein.

While there was no acute shortage of these metals, except platinum, it was
only by conservation that a shortage was avoided.

WOOL

The only articles on the standard medical supply table into which wool
enters as a basic raw material are blankets and woolen bandages. During 1916
the specifications for these articles had required that they be all wool. Con-
siderable difficulty had been experienced for a number of years in securing a
flannel of sufficient quality to meet the specifications and as a result the prices
had been steadily increased. By 1917 the prices of this grade of flannel had
increased to such an extent that their purchase was discontinued throughout
the war.

The United States produces usually about one-third of its wool requirements.
For the remainder it must depend upon imports from Australia and South
America. 43 Because of lack of ships during the latter part of 1916 and 1917
imports of wool fell off considerably and the market was unsettled. The
requirements of the Government for clothing and blankets for the soldiers were
enormous and the supply threatened to be inadequate and the prices high.
Measures were taken very early to secure an adequate quantity of wool for the
Army. Conservation of the supply became urgently necessary. Practically
the entire stock in the country was secured by the Quartermaster's Depart-
ment, the supply bureau charged with providing clothing for the soldiers. 43
The Medical Department accordingly revised its specifications for blankets and
permitted the admixture of cotton with the wool. The blankets for field equip-
ment were required to be more nearly all wool than those for ordinary hospital
use. The majority of the blankets purchased for field use were all wool, but
contained an increased amount of shoddy, approximately 35 per cent. The
specifications adopted for the hospital blanket which, prior thereto had been
white and all wool of not lower grade than quarter bred, were changed to the
following : 44

Specifications — Blankets

medical department, united states army

(1) Composition. — Warp to be white No. 6 cotton, 2,400 ends. Filling, not less than
20 per cent of new fleece wool, quarter blood or finer; 20 per cent wool noils, or reworked
wool of good quality; 60 per cent cotton (China).

(2) Color. — A bright silver gray, as per sample of these specifications filed in the office
of the New York medical depot, New York City. Mixture is composed of 7 per cent
colored black wool, balance white stock.

PROCUREMENT 145

(3) Border. — The finished blanket to have a border 3 inches wide, color medium
Oxford gray, as per sample; woven across each end of the blanket 7 inches from the finished
end.

(4) Construction. — The finished blanket shall have not less than 36-37 threads per inch
in the warp, and the filling 5-4 to 56 picks per inch (double weave).

(5) Weave. — Blanket to be double weave.

(6) Size and weight. — The blanket shall be 66 by 84 inches, and shall weigh not less
than 4 pounds.

(7) Finish. — Like sample.

To be a strong and serviceable blanket equal in every respect to the standard sample.
The ends shall be secured from raveling by a whipped overlock stitch, equal to the
standard sample. (Use white thread.)

The prices paid for blankets for field use varied between $4.25 and $6.33.
Of the 848,750 such blankets purchased during 1917, 100,000 were purchased
at $4.25 each; 10,000 at $4.50; 266,100 at $6.04; 253,500 at $6.10; 2,650 at
$6.14; 26,000 at $6.20; and 100,000 at $6.32. 45 The prices paid for hospital
blankets during the same period, of which the purchases amounted to 757,085,
varied between $4 each and $5,975 each. The average price for the lot was
$5.25. 44 During 1918 the prices rose somewhat, due to the increasing military
demands and shortage of wool.

COTTON AND LINTERS

Although the prices of cotton steadily advanced during the years 1917-18,
there was never any shortage. The difficulties in securing the required amount
of cotton fabrics was due to the magnitude of the demand for fabrics of special
weave for which the machinery of the mills was not adapted. A readjustment
of weaving processes was necessary. Mills that had been accustomed to weave
one kind of cloth were converted to weave some other kind such as was required
for Government use. The quantities of duck and canvas and of surgical gauze
were enormous.

Besides surgical dressings in great quantities, the Medical Department
required sheeting, towels, pajamas, bath robes, mattress covers, ticking for
mattresses, muslin, tape, and canvas.

Prior to 1917 the standard mattress of the Medical Department was made
of pure South American hair. This grade, which is the soft mane hair of the
horse, makes a very soft and comfortable mattress especially suited to the sick.
Because of the lack of ships, the quantity of hair available in 1917 was hope-
lessly inadequate and the prices asked for mattresses were very high.
Consequently it became necessary to adopt some other substance for the
purpose. Since cotton mattresses were in common use and promised to be
materially less expensive than hair mattresses, it was decided to purchase them
instead of the hair mattress. The early specifications for these mattresses
called for a mixture of upland cotton and linters. 46

During the year 1917 no difficulty was experienced, so far as known, in
securing linters in such quantities as was needed. But the Ordnance Depart-
ment required linters for the manufacture of explosives and ammunition, con-
sequently, as the production of explosives increased the supply of linters dimin-
ished. The grade of linters for explosives was, ordinarily, lower than that for
30663—28 10

146 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

mattresses, but both were equally suitable. By the summer of 1918 the supply
of linters had become so short that a linters pool was formed to take the entire
output of linters. 47 In addition to this there was formed a mattress linter pool
to handle the mattress grade of linters. The Du Pont American Industries
(Inc.) was designated as the purchasing agent. This pool included the mat-
tress linters cut prior to May, 1918. In all, 9,888 bales of linters appear to
have been purchased for this pool. 47 The demand for mattresses became very
heavy in the summer and fall of 1918 and the stock of linters was inadequate,
so that a further variation in the specification became necessary. The Medi-
cal Department was in the market at the time for 250,000 mattresses for the
standard hospital bed and for 400,000 mattress pads for a smaller sized cot
used at evacuation and base hospitals for expansion purposes. 48 This cot was
but 30 inches wide instead of 36 inches, the width of the standard hospital bed.
Several modifications of the specifications were suggested by the bedding sec-
tion of the War Industries Board as being equally efficient, less expensive, and
using less "middling upland cotton," than required for other purposes. The
three combinations most frequently recommended were, with estimated costs,
as follows: 49

One-third No. 1 strips, white; one-third No. 1 peeler comber; one-third good cleaned
cotton mill picker or fly; $11.61.

One-third No. 1 peeler comber; one-third good clean cotton mill picker or fly; one-third
grade A linters; $10.66.

One-third No. 1 strips; one-third good cleaned picker or fly; one-third grade A linters;
$10.26.

Adequate stocks of all these mixtures were available and purchases were
made accordingly.

REFERENCES

(1) American Industry in the War. A Report of the War Industries Board. Government

Printing Office, Washington, 1921, 82.

(2) Letter from Reuben A. Bogley, superintendent, Tophams, Washington, D. C, to Col.

C. R. Darnall, M. S. D., U. S. A., Washington, D. C, June 22, 1917. On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^ :

(3) Letter from Col. H. C. Fisher, M.C., S. G. O., to J. E. Hall, American Sterilizer Co.,

Erie, Pa., June 2, 1917, relative to enlisting of personnel employed by that company.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — '- — t — — '■

(4) Telegram from the Surgeon General to Mr. Charles J. Pilling, Philadelphia, Pa., August

3, 1917, relative to exemptions. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
14636-91.

(5) Letter from the Surgeon General to Mr. Charles J. Pilling, Philadelphia, Pa., August 6,

1917, relative to exemptions. On file, Finance and Suppplv Division, S. G. O.,
14636-91.

(6) First indorsement, Surgeon General's Office, to the officer in charge, Medical Supply

Depot, New York, February 8, 1918, relative to exemption from the draft of surgical

71Vi19
instrument makers. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — -r~ — '■

(7) American Industry in the War, 83.

PROCUREMENT 147

(8) Letter, Medical Supply Officer, U. S. Army, New York, to the Surgeon General's Office

(Attention Col. C. R. Darnall), May 24, 1918. Subject: Contracts No. 1534 and No.

2945, American Sterilizer Co., Erie, Pa. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

„ „ „ 713-529 N. Y.
S.G.O., - - m

(9) American Industry in the War, 85.

{10) Letter from American Felt Co, Boston, Mass., to the Medical Supply Depot, New

York, May 27, 1918, relative to delay in deliveries of blankets. On file, Finance and

713-539 N. Y. D.
Supply Division, S. G. O., ^ys

(11) Letter from the Surgeon General to U. S. Employment Service, Department of Labor,

June 11, 1918, relative to supplying labor for American Felt Co. On file, Finance

, a , t.. • • a n n 713-539 N. Y. P.
and Supply Division, 8. U. ()., »vs •

(12) Letter from Acting Assistant Director General, U. S. Employment Service, Department

of Labor, Washington, D. C, to Col. C. R. Darnall, M. C, S. G. O., June 21, 1918,
relative to supplying labor. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-539 N. Y. P.
743

(13) American Industry in the War, 89.

(14) Memorandum from the Assistant Secretary of War to the Surgeon General, January

21, 1918, relative to closing of certain industrial plants. On file, Finance and Supply

„. . . _ „ - 750-660 Sec. War.
Division, S. G. O., ^r

(15) G. O. No. 8, War Department, January 19, 1918.

(16) Letter from the Medical Supply Depot, New York, to the Surgeon General, January

22, 1918. Subject: A request for information as to what classes of manufactures
should be exempted from the Fuel Administrator's Monday closing order; and also
requesting information as to how to obtain such exemptions. On file, Finance and

q i T-.- • • a /-> n 713-M isc.
Supply Division, S. O. O., ^r

(17) Letter from the Acting Quartermaster General to the Surgeon General, January 19,

1918. Subject: Procurement of coal for contractors. On file, Finance and Supply

_. . . „ „ _ 750 -594 Q. M. G.
Division, S. G. O., o<? •

(18) Memorandum from the coordinating member of the Printers Committee, Council of

National Defense, to the Surgeon General, January 15, 1918. Subject: List of
urgent war products being manufactured in the State of New Jersey. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., jV — : -

(19) Letter from the Surgeon General to War Industries Board, Council of National Defense,

January 16, 1918, submitting list of contractors in New Jersey supplying material to
Medical Department that is urgently needed. On file, Finance and Supply Division

B. G . 0., 533 * D - .

(20) First indorsement, Surgeon General's Office, to the division surgeon, Camp Taylor, Ivy.,

December 16, 1917, relative to supplies for eye department. On file, Finance and

a i tv • • a n r> 531-13 9 Tavlor
Supply Division, S. G. O. ?= — "

(21) Correspondence between the President of the American Drug Manufacturers' Associ-

ation and the Surgeon General's Office, during November, 1917, relative to quinine.

422 C J L
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — — ^ '• Also: Correspondence

between Powers-Wrightman-Rosengarten Co. and the Surgeon General's Office,
November 24, 1917, to February 10, 1918, relative to supply of quinine. On file,

„. . _ . _.. . , _ _ _ 589 P. W. R. Co.

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^Za

148 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(22) Letter from War Trades Board to the Surgeon General, April 27, 1918, relative to the

export of cinchona bark from Dutch East Indies. On file, Finance and Supply

_,. . . „ „ „ 75 9 W. T. B.
Division, S. G. O., sq

(23) Letter from Powers-Wrightman-Rosengarten Co. to the Surgeon General (Colonel

Darnall), September 10, 1918, relative to quinine situation. On file, Finance and

a , r,- • • a n n 589 P. W. R. Co.
Supply Division, S. G. O., .-^

(24) Letter from Frank G. Ryan, Council of National Defense, to Col. Carl R. Darnall, M. C,

S. G. O., September 20, 1917, relative to purchase of pharmaceuticals. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^^ — '•

(25) Contracts of October 13, 1917, and November 4, 1918, between Lieut. Col. M. A.

Reasoner, M. C, Field Medical Supply Depot, Washington, and Merck & Co., of
New York, N. Y., for the extraction of morphine and codeine from crude opium.
On file, Medical Section, New York General Intermediate Depot, Brooklyn, N. Y.

(26) Cablegram from the Surgeon General's Office to chief surgeon, A. E. F., France,

December 12, 1917, relative to purchase of morphine and codeine.

(27) Letter from the medical supply officer, New York, N. Y., to the Surgeon General, July

22,1918. Subject: Whiffen & Sons (Ltd.), morphine-codeine. On file, Finance and

a i ™- • • a n r\ 250 France
Supply Division, S. G. O., Tjn

(28) Letter from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., France, to the Surgeon General, April 2, 1918.

Subject: Automatic supply. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,

713-250

~~ 15

(29) Memorandum for Director of Supplies and Purchases from the Surgeon General, May

27, 1918. Subject: Camphor. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
750-198 P. P.
45

(30) Memorandum from Capt. Frank L. McCartney, S. C, in charge General Purchasing

Office, Medical Department, to Lieutenant Bradley, August 27, 1918. Subject:

VJ/?Q O P O

Camphor. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^ — ' — '■

(31) Letter from the Surgeon General to Purchase and Supply Branch, Department of

Purchase, Storage and Traffic, August 30, 1918. Subject: Imports from Japan.

(32) American Industry in the War, 380.

(33) War Industries Board, Priorities Division, Circular No. 5, July 22, 1918. Policies and

Regulations Governing Distribution of Steel and Steel Products. Government
Printing Office, Washington, 1918, 2-3.

(34) Report of liaison officer, Medical Department, to the Surgeon General, October 29, 1918,

on the status of interbureau procurement requisition M-36, of August 28, 1918, for
300,000 bedsteads. On file, Record Room, S. G. O.

(35) First indorsement, Surgeon General's Office, to the War Industries Board, October 8,

1918, relative to finish of hospital beds. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

S. G. O., !™*

(36) Report of liaison officer, Medical department, to the Surgeon General, November 4,

1918, relative to status of interbureau procurement requisitions. On file, Record
Room, S. G. O.

(37) Letters from the Surgeon General's Office to the War Industries Board, Clearance

Committee, August 31, 1918, and September 26, 1918. Subject: Clearance on
contract for 3,000 hospital litter carriers. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
H „ 5 33 N. P.

8. G. O., Jgg

PBOCUBEMENT 149

(38) Report of Lieut. Col. AI. A. Reasoner, M. C, on the Field Medical Supply Depot,

August 3, 1926. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-75 F. M. S. P .
x

(39) Letters from the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depots, New York and Washington,

to the Surgeon General, July 26, 1918. Subject: Aluminum required June 30, 1918,

t.. ■ • c r, ^ 713-750 Wash.
to June 30,1919. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — t^

(40) Memorandum, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, Purchase and Supply Branch,

from Surgeon General's Office, undated, 1918, relative to aluminum requirements.

713—750 Wash.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 5™ '-

(41) American Industry in the War, 153.

(42) Letter from Maj. George C. Johnston, M. R. C, to Maj. F. F. Simpson, Council of

National Defense, March 19, 1918, relative to the quantity of platinum used in X-ray

533 N. D.
tubes. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — - gjr - "•

(43) American Industry in the War, 231-233.

(44) Taken from contracts for blankets made in 1917. On file, Medical Section, New York

General Intermediate Depot, Brooklyn, N. Y.

(45) Prices and quantities obtained from Field Medical Supply contracts made during

April-December, 1917. On file, Medical Section, New York General Intermediate
Depot, Brooklyn, N. Y.

(46) Letter from medical supply officer, New York, to the Surgeon General, May 23, 1917.

Subject: Specifications for pillows and mattresses. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 14039-52-1.

(47) American Industry in the War, 173-4.

(48) Memorandum, Surgeon General's Office, to Director, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic

Division, Purchase and Storage Branch, July 29, 1918. On file, Finance and

a , tv • • a n r, 750-198 P. of P.
Supply Division, S. G. O., t^

(49) Minutes of meeting of the bedding section of the Textile Division, War Industries

Board, held on Thursday, July 25, 1918, 8.30 p. m. On file, Finance and Supply

tv ■ • a n r> 750-198 D. P.
Division, S. G. O., - „„„

CHAPTER VIII
CLEARANCE AND PRIORITY OF MATERIALS TORE MANUFACTURED

Under the advisory commission of the Council of National Defense there
was formed, February 28, 1917, a munitions standards board, which merged a
month later into the General Munitions Board, 1 charged with the duty of
coordinating the buying of munitions by the War and Navy Departments
and with assisting those departments in acquiring raw materials and manufac-
turing plants to meet their requirements. The General Munitions Board was
composed of technically competent persons selected from civil life by the Advis-
ory Commission of the Council of National Defense and representatives from
the several supply bureaus of the War and Navy Departments. It was the
function of this board to supervise the distribution of Government orders and
to prevent competition among the several purchasing agencies of the two
departments. 1

The Secretary of War in orders of April 12, 1917, directed: 2

Where time will permit, information will be given to the Munitions Board constituted
by the Council of National Defense, through the supply bureaus' representative, of orders
to be made for supplies, with the view of assistance from the board in placing the orders
and in order that the supplies of the War Department may be coordinated with those of the
Navy and other executive departments and secured at prices not in excess of those paid by
other departments.

The functions of the General Munitions Board were largely advisory. It

received statements of immediate requirements only as they were brought to

it and joined in the effort to supply them. It considered whether the proposed

order involved a conflict with other necessary orders and whether emergency

action were required to provide material or determine prices. It then attempted

to discover the best available sources of supply. 3 The earlier orders were

placed with little or no reference to this board, except for certain articles on

which a shortage was feared. For such articles, clearance was required. A

list of articles was promulgated which required clearance, and Government

agencies were requested to place no order for articles on that list without first

having such orders cleared by the committee. This was to prevent orders from

being placed in congested areas and where they were liable to interfere with

other orders of equal or greater importance, to adjust the relative importance

of deliveries, and to prevent abnormal rise in prices. The buying department

read its proposed orders before the committee in full. If no objection were

made by another department because of conflict with its program or by an

agency of the board because of curtailment, or substitution, or because another

plan of conservation was being hindered, clearance was delayed until the matter

could be adjusted. 4

151

152 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Clearance showed very few results in the control of prices, and new
agencies for that purpose were created in the priorities and price-fixing
committees. 4

The development of the priorities system of control had its heginning in
the priority committee of the General Munitions Board created May 3, 1917,
with the following provisions: 5

Exercise full power in the determination of priority of delivery of materials and finished
products whenever there is a conflict in delivery in accordance with the general policy of
the Government. It is further understood that at present the priority committee of
the General Munitions Board has no power in regard to the determination of priority in
regard to civilian needs in which the Army and Navy requirements are not involved. It is
further understood that as between the needs of ovir allies and our civilian population, the
priority committee of the General Munitions Board for the present has no authority to act.
In this connection, however, the priority committee should keep full information as to such
cases or instances as come to its attention, in order that plans may further be developed for
properly handling the matter.

The Munitions Standards Board and the General Munitions Board were
officially disbanded July 28, 1917, and a new body, under the title of War
Industries Board, created in their place. 6 The functions of the War Industries
Board as defined by the Council of National Defense in the order creating it
were in general terms as follows: 6

The board will act as a clearing house for the war industry needs of the Government,
determine the most effective ways of meeting them and the best means and methods of
increasing production, including the creation or extension of industries demanded by the
emergency, the sequence and relative urgency of the needs of the different Government
services, and consider price factors, and in the first instance the industrial and labor aspects
of the problems involved and the general questions affecting the purchase of commodities.

With the establishment of the War Industries Board there was created the
office of priorities commissioner. 7 Under him was the priorities committee,
transferred bodily from the old munitions board. This committee had a
chairman and representatives from industry and the Army and Navy. It
rapidly developed and became the priorities division of the War Industries
Board. The functions of the priorities division were to formulate general plans
for the coordination of the military program as presented by the military author-
ities and the industrial program in so far as such programs required priorities.
It determined policies and designated agencies to carry them out. It defined
the activities that were to be accorded preferential treatment because of their
war or civilian importance and certified its classifications to the Fuel Adminis-
tration, Railroad Administration, Employment Service, and industrial advisers
of the district draft boards for their respective use in distributing fuel, furnishing
transportation and labor, and in passing on cases of industrial and occupational
deferment. 8 The priorities division exercised its control through a system of
priorities and of preferential treatment of essential industries. By means of
this system it indicated the sequence in which materials should be manufactured
and orders filled. This sequence was determined in accordance with its best
judgment and conceptions of the importance of the various parts of the military
program. The priorities division promulgated its rules and regulations through

PROCUREMENT 153

a series of priority circulars, clearance lists, and preferential treatment lists, of
which the circulars were the most important. There were 60 such circulars
issued beginning with September 21, 1917, and ending December 20, 1918, with
the recision of all circulars. 9 Circulars Nos. 1 and 2 were issued September 21,
1917. No. 1 prescribed the classes of priority, defined their order of precedence,
specified the materials classified, classified existing and future orders, and fixed
the form of priority certificate. This circular was modified and amplified by
Circulars No. 3 of January 1, 1918, and No. 4 of July 1, 1918. Circular No. 1
applied particularly to iron and steel and their manufactured products. Circular
No. 3 extended the application to chemicals, cotton duck, woolen cloth, and
such raw materials and manufactured products as might be deemed necessary
from time to time by the priorities committee. Circular No. 4 extended the
application to all commodities except food, feeds, and fuels, and to all manufac-
turers except those concerned with these products. Circular No. 1 provided
for three classes of priority, A, B, C. Circular No. 3 added a fourth, known as
class AA. Circular No. 4 added a fifth, designated class D, and provided for
automatic classifications. Prior to July, 1918, all priorities had been granted
upon applications made to the priorities division. After that date applications
were received for classifications higher than those included in the automatic
ratings.

In its application of the provision of Circular No. 4 to industry the
priorities division of the War Industries Board placed medicines, medical and
surgical supplies in class C priority, and accorded to the manufacturers of
those supplies preference in accordance with that priority. 9 Instructions to
those manufacturers on the subject were issued by the medical industry section
of the War Industries Board on August 9, 1918, in the following letter from

the chief of that section:

War Industries Board,

Washington.
From: Lieut. Col. F. F. Simpson, M. C, N. A.

To: Manufacturers of drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical supplies.
Subject: Preferential rating.

1. You will find inclosed copy of a letter from Judge E. B. Parker, priorities com-
missioner, stating that drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical supplies have been
certified by the priorities board as embraced within the schedule of purposes entitled to
preferential treatment, and will, therefore, receive a class C priority classification, in accord
with the bulletin of July 3.

2. The foregoing language is general, and includes such commodities for civil as well as
military use. It also includes supplies for dental medicine and surgery.

3. In placing your orders for steel and other restricted commodities, file a copy of
Judge Parker's letter with your order and also a copy of your preferential rating for coal
and coke.

4. These communications will be prima facie evidence that the Government recognizes
your plant as at present entitled to preferential treatment in the matter of materials, etc.,
for the making of medical and surgical supplies. The manufacturers will, in most instances,
be able to honor your orders without the need for priority certificates.

5. In the event that a priority certificate is demanded by the manufacturer from whom
you secure your machinery or raw materials, fill out a priorities blank and make application
for a priority certificate for the specific order in the regular way.

154 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

6. If you desire, you may advise me that you have made such application, and I will
assist the priorities division in obtaining such information as it may need for passing on
the application.

7. It would be desirable for you to have on hand constantly a few blank priority
application forms for emergency use.

Chief of Section of Medical Industry.
PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT

To simplify procedure and to provide a clearly defined basis for action,
all industry was divided by the War Industries Board into two general
groups. The one represented industries which were regarded as of prime
importance in winning the war and classed as "essential industries." The
other represented industries which, while useful in time of peace, contributed
very little if at all to the success of the war, and were classed as "nonessen-
tial industries." The essential industries were of different degrees of impor-
tance. Since the more important, essential industries were entitled to and
should receive preferential treatment in all matters relating to production, a
general classification of the activities demanding preferential treatment was
promulgated in March, 1918, by the War Industries Board. Seven well-
defined classes were described in this classification. It was followed on April
6 by preference list No. 1, which increased the number of classes to 45. Pref-
erence list No. 2 was issued September 3, 1918, and still more widely extended
the principle of preferential treatment to industry. The purpose of this list
appeared to be to make the operation thereof as nearly automatic as possible.
The object and method of operation of the preferment system was fully out-
lined in the foreword to this preference list.

In this classification plants engaged principally in the manufacture of medi-
cines and medical and surgical supplies were placed in Class IV. Many of them,
however, secured their materials and semifinished products from classes having
higher ratings. The maintenance and operation of public buildings used as
hospitals were placed in Class I.

Preference list No. 2 was soon followed by supplement No. 1 to preference
list No. 2, in which were listed the names and addresses of the manufacturers
to whom preference treatment had been accorded. Among those so listed were
many makers of medical and surgical supplies.

HANDLING PRIORITIES

The Director of Purchase, Storage, and Traffic informed the Surgeon General
on June 10, 1918, that the War Department was not securing the maximum
benefit from the system of priorities of the War Industries Board because of
lack of sufficient information on the subject and from lack of a proper organi-
zation within that department. 10 Since the avowed purpose of the priority
system was to assist contract deliveries to the purchasing bureaus by providing
the contractors with raw materials, fuel, transportation, and power in time to
insure such deliveries, new and higher priorities were obtainable whenever an
urgent war necessity made such changes necessary. It was considered essential
by the director of purchase, storage, and traffic that dates of deliveries be

PROCUREMENT 155

analyzed and priority requests synchronized with the required dates of delivery.
To accomplish this result and to assist in presenting the needs of the War
Department to the War Industries Board with demonstrable proof on each
request, the following directions were given by him : 10

To the end that the War Department organization may be consistent within itself and
with the organization of the War Industries Board and for the purpose of a more effectual
control of War Department priorities, it is directed that each bureau of the War Department
charged with the procurement of supplies shall organize a priority section within itself, which
shall consist of an officer designated by the chief of bureau, who shall preside and who must
be familiar with the production program and material needs of his bureau. In addition at
least one purchasing and one production officer shall be members of the priority section of
each bureau, with such additional officers and such clerical force as the chief of the supply
bureau shall direct.

In compliance with the above-quoted instructions a priority section, con-
sisting of three officers, was established in the Surgeon General's Office for the
Medical Department. 11 The various depots were informed on June 21, 1918,
of the appointment of this section and instructed to mail all requests for priority
to the Surgeon General's Office. 12 They were directed to notify contractors
to discontinue the practice of sending such applications direct to the War
Industries Board.

The following rules governing the activities and procedures of priority
sections of the supply bureaus were promulgated by the director of purchase,
storage, and traffic July 17, 1918, and remained in force until the end of
the war: 13

6. The purchasing organization of each bureau shall inquire of prospective contractors —
(a) A definite date or dates of delivery.

(6) Adequacy of present plant facilities for the manufacture and delivery within the
time stated.

(c) Whether he will require aid to secure new equipment.

(d) Whether a higher rating than A-5 is necessary.

(e) If answer to question (d) is " yes," what rating is necessary to satisfy delivery dates
given in (a)?

(/) If answer to question (d) is "yes," if that is due to other priority certificates held
by him.

(g) State numbers and rating of such priority certificates (set forth in (/)), with the
name of the department or bureaus to which articles are to be delivered.

7. (a) All applications for priority on behalf of a bureau or of a contractor or subcon-
tractor of such bureau shall first be considered by the bureau's priority committee, in
accordance with the rules laid down by the priorities committee of the War Industries
Board in Circular No. 4, and determine the classification and rating that should be requested.
It shall then be forwarded with the committee's recommendation to the priority office of the
purchase and supply branch, division of purchase, storage, and traffic, Council of National
Defense Building, Eighteenth and D Streets.

(6) All priority applications on behalf of a bureau, contractor, or subcontractor of such
bureau shall be made out in duplicate on the forms prescribed by the priorities committee of
the War Industries Board (making sure that all questions asked therein are fully and clearly
answered) and shall be submitted to the bureau's priorities committee.

(c) Where procurement has been consolidated, the procuring bureau will handle the
application after ascertaining from the issuing bureau the desired date of delivery.

(d) The bureau's priority committee will retain the duplicate application.

156 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

8. (a) The priorities officer will ascertain whether the application interferes with the
work of any other bureau, adjust the conflict, if any, and present the application to the
priorities committee of the War Industries Board.

(6) The priorities committee of the War Industries Board will not issue a certificate
covering an order placed in the restricted area unless the War Industries Board has
granted permission for the placing of said orders in such restricted area.

9. (a) After final action by the priorities committee of the War Industries Board the
original certificates issued by such committee will be forwarded by that committee direct
to the applicant.

(6) A duplicate will be returned, through the office of the Director of Purchase and
Supply, to the originating bureau for filing with the duplicate application, thus advising
the bureau of the issuing of the original certificate.

10. (a) To change a priority rating, made necessary by changes in the military program
or situation, the bureau priority committee should prepare and forward to the priority
officer of the purchase and supply branch a supplemental emergency memorandum, setting
forth the conditions and a recommendation for rerating.

(6) The application will then be handled by the priority officer of the purchase and
supply branch in the same manner as an original application.

(r) Rerating should not be requested except in emergency cases.
*******

CLEARANCES

The clearance activities of the munitions board were continued under the
War Industries Board as an indispensable adjunct of its priority system.
Clearance lists were published to the supply bureaus from time to time and
extended as additional shortages threatened. The first list of articles on
which clearance was required was issued under date of August 7, 1917, and
included the following commodities: The metals group, iron, steel, and their
products; lead and tin; textiles, chemicals; motortrucks; optical glass; rubber
and rubber goods; lumber; explosives; and gasoline and motor oils. The
board requested that these items be brought to its attention before orders for
them were placed. 14

On December 31, 1916, a revised and greatly amplified clearance list was
published and the requirements relative to clearance were defined with greater
precision. By that time the clearance committee of the War Industries Board
was well organized and fully established. It was the channel of communica-
tion between the purchasing bureaus and the War Industries Board, and as
such directed communications to their proper destination. 15

The function of the clearance committee was to assist the War Industries
Board, to consider the placing of orders or contracts by the various depart-
ments desiring to purchase material on the clearance list, to consider price
and sources of supply, to adjust any obvious conflict with the supply of the
same material for any other department, and to approve the placing of minor
orders when satisfied of the propriety of the action desired. The clearance
committee informed the interested division whenever shortage occurred or was
imminent that action might be taken toward arranging for a satisfactory sub-
stitute. 15

The following instructions appeared on the clearance list of December
31, 1917: 16

PROCUREMENT 157

There is presented herewith a list of items which should not be ordered without first
consulting with the clearance committee of the War Industries Board and having clearance
granted thereon (with a few exceptions).

Clearance is necessary either because of a shortage winch exists or is probable on
certain items, or because prices have been arranged on others, and the allocation of the
various items is necessary through a central agency to obtain adequate production, or to
receive the benefit of such prices as have been arranged or fixed.

In the letting of general contracts where subcontractors are required to furnish
any of the items, the subcontractors' requirements should also be brought to the
committee's attention by the department interested, in the same manner as the department's
requirements.

The above action does not apply to contracts already awarded.

The above action relates only to orders in quantity, which point, when the question
arises, should be determined by the department representative on the committee.

The list of items will be modified as occasion arises.

A new clearance list appeared on February 25, 1918. The clearance
committee was reorganized following the reorganization of the War Industries
Board in March, 1918. The organization and functions of that committee as
projected in May, 1918, by the board were as follows: "

The clearance committee shall consist of a chairman and secretary, a representative
from each of the supply departments of the Government, and representatives from the
principal commodity sections of the War Industries Board. This clearance committee
is to concern itself with schedules of prospective purchases and not with orders actually
negotiated.

There will be published a clearance list of articles for which there is a shortage or for
which the price is fixed, etc. This will not be a shortage list since certain articles
will be on the clearance list, although there may be no shortage involved. An order will be
issued to the effect that no orders shall be negotiated for articles on the clearance list before
such schedule of prospective purchases have been cleared.

The schedules of prospective purchases will be presented and will be cleared forthwith
by the committee wherever possible.

In other cases, the schedules will be referred to the commodity sections for consideration
and results reported back to the secretary of the committee for transmission to the supply
department.

With the promulgation of this definition of its function the clearance
committee called for a statement from all the supply bureaus of the orders in
immediate contemplation, showing: (1) Specifications of the article to be
purchased, (2) quantity to be purchased, (3) delivery required.

The requirements of the clearance committee were transmitted to the
various purchasing officers of the Medical Department under date of May 10,
1918, by the Surgeon General, and a strict observance of these requirements
was enjoined. 17 Prior to that date it had been the custom to request clearance
at any time before the contract was actually signed or the purchase order issued.
Beginning that date it was required that clearance be obtained before negotia-
tions for the purchase of any article on the clearance list had begun. An
officer in the Surgeon General's Office was designated to receive and transmit
through the prescribed agency to the clearance committee all requests for
clearance.

A new clearance list promulgated June 24, 1918, prescribed the following
requirements for the purchase of supplies: 18

158

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Before negotiations arc instituted clearance must be obtained on proposed purchases
of articles or commodities in the four following general classifications:

1. All schedules of prospective purchases involving articles or commodities on the list
given below, entitled " Clearance schedule."

2. All schedules of prospective purchases involving orders for any articles or commod-
ities, to be placed in the congested district, which orders call for or involve the creation or
use of additional fuel, power, or transportation facilities. The boundaries of the congested
district will be defined from time to time by the Railroad Administration, Fuel Administra-
tion, and War Industries Board and will be published by the latter. This congested-
district now is included between the Atlantic Ocean and a line drawn through Chespeake
Bay to Baltimore, north to Harrisburg, west to Altoona, northeast through Williamsport,
Binghamton, and Schenectady to the Hudson River, and thence north to the northeastern
boundary of the State of New York. The districts served by the electrical power companies
of Canton, Baltimore, Massilon, Alliance, Niagara Falls, Pittsburgh, Connellsville, Wheeling,
Youngstown, and Akron are also prohibited centers due to lack of power.

3. All schedules of prospective purchases involving the creation of new or additional
facilities wherever placed and however created; that is, either direct or indirect Government
business.

4. The orders for production in Government plants do not require clearance so far as the
actual order itself is concerned, though the materials required for rilling the order will
require clearance if on the clearance list. At the same time requirements are presented,
statement must be made as to whether the Government department at interest is in.
position to handle all or any part of the order within its own plants.

The clearance schedule which accompanied these instructions included 44
groups of articles, materials, and commodities. Of these groups the Medical
Department was interested more or less vitally in 27. The articles and com-
modities with which the Medical Department was concerned are quoted below:

Acids.

Ambulance bodies.

Ambulance chassis.

Boxes, containers, crates, etc.

Brass and copper rods, tubing and sheets.

Cordage, hemps and fibers: Rope, coco mats,
linoleum, oakum, burlap.

Cork.

Cotton lintcrs (for mattresses) .

Cotton goods: Gauze, muslins, and bleached
print goods, duck and webbing.

Cylinders and container (pressure) foroxygen,
nitrous oxide, and chlorine gas.

Electric equipment: Generators, transform-
ers, motors, and electrical supplies.

Electric wire and cable for X-ray machines
and other medical electric equipment.

Felts.

Fire extinguishers, hand.

Hardware.

Iron and steel: Boiler tubes, boiler plates,,
steel rods (instrument steel), seamless tub-
ing (sterilizers, etc.), sheets (enamel ware,
etc.), tin plate (cans for ether and other
medicines).

Leather and leather goods.

Linen and linen thread.

Lumber (for crating, etc.).

Mica (for X-ray apparatus).

Needles.

Nonferrous metals : Aluminum (cooking uten-
sils), copper (shells for sterilizers), Mercury .

Oils: Castor oil, linseed oil (green soap).

Optical glass and optical instruments.

Paper, sulphate, Kraft (wrapping paper).

Rubber goods.

Small tools.

Tool chests.

Woolen goods: Blankets, material for conva-
lescent suits.

While the reorganization of the War Industries Board and its various com-
mittees and the extension of their regulatory functions were in progress, a new
regulatory body was developing in the War Department in the purchase and
supply branch of the purchase, storage, and traffic division of the General
Staff. 19 This body required that all requests for clearance for articles on the
clearance list which had not been consolidated with a single supply bureau for

PROCUREMENT 159

purchase should be forwarded to it for consideration by the interested com-
modity section of the War Department to determine whether the purchase would
conflict with the program of another supply bureau, before such clearances went
to the War Industries Board for final action. 20 This routing became effective
near the end of May, 1918. These instructions were amplified the middle of
July, 21 when clearance was required on (a) articles enumerated in the clearance
list issued by the War Industries Board, (6) orders placed within the congested
district, and (c) the creation of new facilities and the conversion of existing
facilities wherever located. Clearance was to be handled by the War Industries
Board in one of the six ways:

1. Clear forthwith without comment.

2. Clear, subject to restrictions as to congested area.

3. Clear, subject to restrictions as to placing orders in centers short of power.

4. Clear, subject to restrictions as to congested plants.

5. Clear, subject to restrictions as to new plant facilities, or with suggestions as to exist-
ing plant capacity available for that class of work.

6. Return the papers with clearance disapproved.

Clearance granted remained effective for 60 days after date of clearance.
If not used within that time new clearance had to be requested. The officer
requesting clearance was free to begin his negotiations for the article immedi-
ately after he received the clearance but not before. Requests for clearance
received a preliminary consideration by the Army clearance committee, after
which they went to the War Industries Board. 22 The following routine method
of handling clearances was prescribed July 17, 1918. 23

Schedules of immediate prospective purchases shall be submitted through the liaison
officers to the purchase and supply branch for clearance, and in no case direct to the War
Industries Board.

In cases where consolidations of procurement have oeen effected, the designated procur-
ing bureau shall submit the requests for clearance, and not the issuing bureau.

Requests for clearance will be submitted on standard forms, the initial supply of
which will be furnished by the War Industries Board; thereafter the purchase and Supply
branch will furnish the forms. Five copies, the original and four carbons (in different
colors) will be submitted to the purchase and supply branch.

Requests for clearance may be dispatched at any time throughout the day and up to
10 p. m. to the office of the purchase and supply branch by special messenger, through the
liaison office. To be considered at the Army clearance committee meeting (described
below) on any day it generally will be necessary that the papers be delivered at the office
of the purchase and supply branch not later than 11 a. m. on that day.

Each day at noon, except Sundays, the accumulated requests for clearance will be
presented by the clearance officer of the Purchase and Supply Branch to the Army clearance
committee. If conflicts, not in the purview of the Army commodity committee or bureau
priority committee, are brought out between any of the bureaus the items in question will
be investigated by the clearance officer, who will refer the matter to the bureau from which
it emanates for further consideration or will clear it. Where no such conflict develops the
matter will be immediately cleared by the Army clearance committee.

The clearance officer of the purchase and supply branch will submit promptly to the
clearance secretary of the War Industries Board all clearance papers which have been passed
upon and cleared by the Army clearance committee. A record will be kept by the clearance
secretary of the War Industries Board of the action taken in each case presented. This
record will be returned to the Purchase and Supply Branch, and the interested bureau
informed by telephone wherever possible. In addition to telephonic reports of clearance,

160 FINANCE AND STJPPLY

the paper indicating the action of recommendation of the War Industries Board will be
submitted to the purchase and supply branch in duplicate. The original of this clearance
will be forwarded immediately to the bureau of the War Department which requested the
clearance.

If clearance by the War Industries Board is delayed beyond 48 hours after submission
to the War Industries Board of the request for clearance, the purchase and supply branch
will notify the bureau either to proceed on the assumption that the matter has been cleared,
or that the matter has been held up and additional time granted to the War Industries
Board. The 48-hour period shall be taken to include two full days following the day on
which the request is submitted to the War Industries Board, and the report to the bureaus
will be made on the morning of the third day following. For instance, a report will be
made Thursday morning on all matters submitted to the War Industries Board on the
preceding Monday. This rule will not cover the obtaining of allocations, since it is impos-
sible, generally speaking, to accomplish allocations in so short a time. The bureaus shall
not proceed at the end of the 48-hour period on the assumption that clearance on any
request has been obtained unless specific authority to so proceed has been given by this
office.

By the end of July the purchase and supply branch of the purchase and
storage division of the General Staff had duplicated practically all the organi-
zations and activities of the War Industries Board, as is evidenced by the
following extract from Supply Bulletin No. 4, of that branch, dated July 23,
1918:

Matters to be taken up with the War Industries Board must in every case be referred
up to the purchase and supply branch, and more specifically marked for the attention of
the divisions, sections, and committees of that branch charged with speci c duties and sub-
jects, as follows:

I. Matters of general policy to be taken up with the War Industries Board proper, to
the director of purchases and supplies.

II. Matters of priority to the chief of the Army piiorities section.

III. Matters of requirement to the chief of the Army requirements division.

IV. Matte s of clearance to the chief of the Army clearance section.

V. Matters of price fixing to the chief of the Army price-fixing section.

VI. Business with any commodity committee of the War Industries Board to the chief
of the corresponding Army commodity committee.

The chiefs of the various divisions, sections, and committees specified above shall handle
matters between the divisions, sections, and committees of the War Industries Board and the
offices of the War Department from which the business arose, * * * keeping copies and
files of all correspondence and referring to the director of purchases and supplies, for infor-
mation or action, all matters of importance and well-established policy, and to other sections
of the purchase and supply branch all matters arising in the course of business which affect
such other sections.

REQUIREMENTS

The President, in his letter of March 4, 1918, to the chairman of the War
Industries Board, increased the scope of the board. 24 Among other things the
letter required of the chairman of the board that he "should be constantly
and systematically informed of all contracts, purchases, and deliveries, in order
that he might have always before him a schematized analysis of progress of
business in the several supply divisions of the Government in all departments,"
and "anticipate the prospective needs of the several supply departments of
the Government and their feasible adjustment to the industry of the country

PROCUREMENT 161

as far in advance as possible in order that as definite an outlook and oppor-
tunity for planning as possible may be afforded the business men of the
country."

To carry out the broader mission imposed upon it by this letter the War
Industries Board was reorganized in the spring of 1918. 25 To enable it to
"anticipate the prospective needs of the several supply departments of the
Government and their feasible adjustment to the industries of the country,"
a requirements division was organized in June, 1918. This division consisted of
a chairman, representatives of the Government purchasing agencies (Army and
Navy), the priorities commissioner, the commissioner of finished products,
chiefs of divisions, chiefs of sections, manager of the Allied Purchasing
Commission, representatives of the Food, Fuel, and Railroad Administrations,
the Capital Issues Committee, the Department of Commerce, the Red Cross,
the Shipping Board, and other departments and bureaus.

For the use of this division the Secretary of War directed that each of the
supply bureaus of the War Department take the necessary steps to accomplish
the following: 26

The determining of all important requirements, projected into the future as far as
practicable, these requirements to be accompanied by a translation of same into raw
materials.

The establishment of a continuous system of reports of impending important contracts
and purchases, which will give articles, quantities ordered, and dealers from whom ordered.

The director of purchases and supplies, purchase, storage, and traffic
division of the General Staff, ordered, April 2, 1918, that he be furnished with
those requirements and reports in triplicate at the earliest practicable date
and that no purchases of articles or materials on the clearance list established
by the War Industries Board be made until they had received the considera-
tion and approval of that board. 26 The statements of requirements of the
various supply bureaus after they had received general consideration by the
requirements division went to the appropriate commodity sections of the War
Industries Board where detailed studies were made and reports sent back to
the sources from which the statements came concerning the possibility and
means for meeting the requirements. 26

In compliance with the instruction of April 2, from the director of purchases
and supplies, a condensed statement of the requirements of the Medical Depart-
ment were submitted as soon as they could be compiled, but the exact date
has not been ascertained. This statement covered both requirements and the
raw materials required for the fabrication of the articles enumerated. It was
prepared in the following form and covered 11 general headings — fabrics and
textiles, surgical dressings, veterinary surgical dressings, automobile ambulances,
instruments and appliances, and medicines. Under medicines were included
ammonia products, mercurials, opium, morphine, cocaine, and castor oil. For
brevity, only textiles and surgical dressings are given under requirements, but
the entire list of raw materials is included under that head, except for the
materials in the motor ambulances, for which no information was available at
the time. 26

30663—28 11

162

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Important requirement of the Medical Department; estimated purchases to December 31, 1918

FABRICS AND TEXTILES SURGICAL DRESSINGS — Continued

Aprons, cook each..

Batli robes do

Blankets do

Caps for cooks do

Gowns, operating do

Muslin, unbleached yards. -

Pajamas suits__

Pillow cases, cotton each__

Sheets, cotton do

Towels:

Bath dozen..

Dish do

Hand do

SURGICAL DRESSINGS

Bandages, gauze:
Compressed,

Roller, 72 in

gross in
...boxes,.
...do

48,

000

98,

000

1, 000,

000

48,

000

36,

000

7, 360,

000

600,

000

750,

000

270,

000

30,

000

48,

000

180,

000

300,

000

150,

000

Cotton, absorbent, 1
Cotton, absorbent,

pound in

rolls.- 500,000

1 ounce in

..packages-. 13, 000, 000

Cotton bats pounds.- 35,000

Crinoline yards.- 120, 000

First-aid packets each.. 3,000,000

First-aid oackets, instruction

each.- 200, 000

First-aid packets for shell

wounds each,- 1,000,000

Gauze, plain yards,. 10,000,000

5-yard, rolls rolls.. 700, 000

1-yard to package.. 1, 200, 000

Gauze, sublimated, 1 yard to

package.. 34, 000, 000

Individual dressing packets

each.. 5, 000, 000

The following raw materials will be required to manufacture the several articles to be
purchased during the calendar year of 1918, which is a part of this report:

Fabrics, textiles, surgical dress-

ings:

Cotton pounds. _

Wool do

Instruments and appliances:

Brass pounds. .

Steel do

Platinum ounces—

Medicines:

Mercuric chloride.pounds..

Mercurous chloride. .do

Red iodide of mercury
pounds- -

58,402,000
3,150,000

1,800

320,000
600

200,000
16,000

3,000

Medicines — Continued

Metallic mercury.pounds.. 8,000
An h y drous a m m o n i a

pounds.. 27,067

Gum opium do 12,428

Cocainse hydrochloridum"

ounces. _ 3,065

Castor Beans pounds-. 757,896

Quinina ounces-- 417,483

Alcohol gallons. . 1,320,000

Beginnin g with June 1, 1918, monthly reports were required as of the first
of the month of requirements and supply, contract, schedules, and actual
deliveries of all important articles. 27

REFERENCES

(i)

American Industry in the War. A Report of the War Industries Board. Government
Printing Office, Washington, 1921, 21.

(2) G. O. No. 49, War Department, April 24, 1917.

(3) American Industry in the War, 32.

(4) Ibid., 24.

(5) Ibid., 48.

(6) Ibid., 23.

(7) Ibid., 22.

"To produce the above 3,065 ounces of cocaiaae hydrochloridum, it will require 38,313 pounds Erythroxylum coca
leaves. Cocainas hydrochloridum is not, as a rule, made from the leaves in this country, but imported as crude alkaloid
and refined here

PROCUREMENT 163

(8) Final Report of Priorities Division, War Industries Board. Manuscript eopy, Office

Assistant .Secretary of War, Munitions Building, Par. 4.

(9) Letter from the Priorities Commission to the chief of the section of Medical Industry,

War Industries Board, Washington, July 17, 1918. Subject: Drugs, medicines, and
medical and surgical supplies — preference list. Copy on file, Historical Division,
S. G. O.

(10) Letter from the Director of Purchase, Storage, and Traffic to Major General W. C.

Gorgas, the Surgeon General of the Army, June 10, 1918. Subject: Handling of

. ... _, _, „. , , , _. . . . „ - 750-198 D of P.

priorities. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. U. (J., .,

(11) Memorandum from the Surgeon General to the Director of Purchase, Storage, and

Traffic, June 13, 1918. Subject: Priority section. On file, Finance and Supply

™ . . r , ,, 750-198 D of P.
Division, S. G. O., ,, .

' 64

(12) Letter from the Surgeon General to officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New York,

N. Y., June 21, 1918. Subject: Priorities. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

,, „ „ 713-539 N. Y. D.
b. u. U., ^7-7^ ■

(13) Supply Circular No. 50, Purchase and Storage Branch, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic

Division, General Staff, War Department, July 17, 1918.

(14) Memorandum from H. P. Bingham, Secretary, War Industries Board, August 7, 1917.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ' — '—. -, '•

(15) War Industries Board, Clearance Committee, Clearance List, December 31, 1917.

Washington, Government Printing Office, 1918, p. 4.

(16) Ibid., 1.

(17) Letter from the Surgeon General to officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, May 10, 1918. Subject: Clearance. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

., „ ., 713 Misc.
ft. (j. (J., — .„

(18) War Industries Board, Clearance Committee, Clearance List, June 24, 1918. Mimeo-

713 Misc.
graph Copy. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., eqa -'•

(19) General Orders, No. 14, W. D., February 9, 1918, and No. 36, April 16, 1918.

(20) Supply Circular No. 15, Purchase and Supply Branch, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic

Division, General Staff, War Department, May 25, 1918.

(21) Supply Circular No. 48, Purchase and Supply Branch, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic

Division, General Staff, War Department, July 17, 1918, par. 1-2.

(22) Ibid., par. 3.

(23) Ibid., par. 6 (a) to (g).

(24) American Industry in the War, 25-26.

(25) Ibid., 35.

(26) Memorandum from the Director, Purchases and Supplies, for the Surgeon General of

the Army, April 2, 1918, relative to requirement. Also: Memorandum from the
Surgeon General attached thereto. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
750-714 S. G. O.
818 "

(27) Memorandum from Automotive Products Section, War Industries Board, to the Sur-

geon General's Office, Supply Section (attention Maj. W. T. Fishleigh), May 23,

1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., unli* — ■•

CHAPTER IX

THE PURCHASE OF SUPPLIES

BY SUPPLY DEPOTS

The supplies purchased by the Medical Department had been divided for
many years into two principal groups, hospital supplies, or post supplies as
they were commonly called, and field supplies. As a result of the creation of
the Veterinary Corps as a part of the Medical Department by the national
defense act of 191G a third group was added — veterinary supplies. Except for
such nonstandard articles on special requisitions as were authorized to be pur-
chased locally by other depots and emergency purchases wherever made, all pur-
chases of medical and hospital supplies were made at three medical supply
depots, New York City, N. Y.; St. Louis, Mo.; and Washington, D. C. The
greater part of the post supplies were purchased at the New York depot. A few of
these articles were purchased from time to time at the St. Louis depot when-
ever a better price could be obtained in the St. Louis market than in the New
York market. In the last few years preceding 1916 the articles purchased at
St. Louis had continued to become fewer from year to year until at the begin-
ning of 1916 it might well have been ignored as a purchasing point for medical
and hospital supplies. Some time prior to 1917 the St. Louis depot had been
used as a purchasing and assembling point for veterinary supplies purchased
by the Medical Department for the Quartermaster Corps under instructions
from the War Department. As already noted, the depot in Washington, D. C,
had been used exclusively for the purchase and assembling of field equipment
and supplies for medical units and for the medical supplies issued to all
military personnel.

The field of activities had narrowed, then, in the purchase of medical
supplies, to these three places. The trend of thought relative to such supplies
had come to associate the procurement of post or ordinary hospital supplies
with the New York depot and field supplies with the Washington or field med-
ical supply depot. It was inevitable, therefore, that these depots should have
been chosen to purchase the same commodities for the greatly augmented
military forces in 1917-18. The St. Louis medical supply depot not being
involved in the procurement of either hospital or field supplies and having an
organization experienced in the purchase of supplies was selected, very naturally,
to handle the purchase of veterinary supplies, with which it was already familiar. 1

The purchase of medical and hospital supplies at these depots had reached
considerable volume during the summer of 1916 as a result of the mobilzation
of the National Guard on the Mexican border and had given the personnel on
duty therein an inkling of the amount of work and the difficulties likely to be
encountered in providing such supplies for a large force. By the end of that

165

166 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

year the purchase of medical supplies had diminished to almost a peace-time
volume, although articles for which contracts had heen made continued to be
received in considerable quantities. The early part of 1917 was devoted to
routine purchases atid to the consideration of the sources and the possibilities
of an adequate supply in the event of the participation of the United States in
the World War, which grew every day more unavoidable. Many difficulties
and aggravating delays had been experienced in making the comparatively
small purchases in 1916, and the outlook for the emergency, should war be
declared, was far from bright. The situation as it presented itself at that time
to those charged with providing medical supplies is fairly well portrayed in the
following extract from a letter from the officer in charge of the New York
medical supply depot in January, 1917, to the officer in charge of the supply
division of the Surgeon General's Office: 2

I have carefully read your memorandum for Colonel Arthur and the statements made
therein are correct. I should say, however, that three months is entirely too short a time
to get the articles of even ordinary commercial stock, when desired in such quantities as we
have to obtain some of them for armies of the magnitude contemplated. I am inclosing
herewith a memorandum made about January 10, for me, by the chief clerk, giving the
status of many of the contracts now in force, and from it you can judge how difficult it is
to get deliveries from even the largest and most reliable firms doing business in our country,
when taxed beyond their ordinary capacities. I have used all sorts of argument and coercion,
but without avail.

In one instance I even gave orders against the firm in open market, only to find out
later that those to whom I gave the order were more unreliable than those who had the
contract, with the result that I had to cancel the attempted open-market purchase against
the firm.

The question of standards is one that is perpetually before us, and I have come to the
conclusion that for the convenience of the business men from whom purchase is made we
must have some sort of a guide so that when they come to look at the article we desire they
may be able to form some opinion. In the case of medicines, the standard of U. S. P. is
certainly necessary. * * * The variety of different textiles, etc., upon the market, is
infinite. Take the common article of sheets, for instance. As you know from recent corre-
spondence, the question of length alone may vary within considerable limits. Then add to
this the question of quality, which is equally variable, and you can get some idea of how
necessary it is to have some sort of a standard when you go to purchase this item.

I have come to the conclusion that delay in purchase is not so often due to standards
as forms pursued in purchasing as required by the accounting officers. There is one way in
which rapid work can be done; about as follows:

A requisition comes here with authority to purchase in emergency, thus eliminating the
advertising in toto. The supply officer goes out on the open market, visits the large mercan-
tile establishments, picks out articles from stock on hand, as many as possible, and as close
as possible to the standard article he desires for immediate delivery. He then goes to another
commercial house and does the same; so on, until the item is complete. This is the way a
business firm, put up against the same proposition, would do, and which, unfortunately,
we can only resort to in great emergency. The standard is still kept in view and purchases
made as near to it as possible.

You would be astonished to know how comparatively few articles of a kind are kept on
hand by any large commercial firm in this city. Space is too valuable to occupy for storage
purposes. Everything is done by samples, and this is all right providing the matter of time
enters into the transaction. I do not believe that I could buy 24 of our standard office desks
in this whole city. To be sure, I could gather up 24 desks of different patterns in a very
short time, but of the one variety, it is doubtful.

PROCUREMENT 167

I am now speaking of the so-ealled items that can lie purchased from commercial
institutions in the open market. Coming down to items of field property, cases and
containers, instruments and appliances, these are not in existence in sufficient quantities to
count. They must all be made to order, and months must elapse. The items of rubber
goods that are always supposed to be purchased as needed and no stock kept on hand belong
to this category. Large quantities are not kept in storage by the firms, but are made to
order, for reasons that you will readily apprehend.

The conclusion of the Dodge Commission is absolutely correct. Supplies of everything
that could possibly be used and not deteriorate, in large amounts, should be kept on hand
for immediate issue, while the machinery of purchase is being set in motion.

While the Medical Department has been able, during peace time, to obtain
all the supplies it required, these supplies were obtained, as a rule, from jobbers
or commission men. Very few manufacturers were willing to submit bids upon
circulars of advertisement issued by the purchasing depots. In the few instances
where bids were received from manufacturers of other than medical and hospital
specialities the bids were usually higher than those from the jobber or commission
man and the award usually went to the low bid. As a result the manufacturers
declined to bid. Their failure to bid was frequently due to a misapprehension
of the requirements, manner of purchase, and the time of making payments.
The hostility of jobbers and professional Government contractors to such bids
doubtless played an important part in keeping manufacturers from bidding
direct. The quantities usually purchased by the Medical Department were
small when compared with those handled by the jobbers and contractors and
were accordingly of less interest to the manufacturer. To overcome this diffi-
culty, interest the manufacturers in Medical Department supplies, and find new
sources of supply the plan quoted below was suggested. 3 Before this policy
could be put into effect, however, we entered the war and other methods of
obtaining supplies were adopted.

1. This office should be furnished, at the earliest practicable date, with a list of impor-
tant medical supplies purchased at your depot which, in the opinion of the supply officer, it
would be difficult to obtain in large quantities on reasonably short notice.

2. While the circular advertisements are sent out to a great many firms, it is believed
that only a comparatively few firms have actually manufactured the items which we have
difficulty in obtaining. When this list of difficult items is tabulated, it is believed that it
would be expedient to furnish the specifications for these items to all of the reputable manu-
facturers and invite their attention to the desirability of becoming acquainted with our
standads and placing their factories in a position to manufacture our supplies in large
quantities on short notice.

3. This office should be furnished with a list of manufacturers who ha* e furnished these
difficult items to the Medical Department during the past three years, together with lists
showing the firms that are not now manufacturing these products, but who, in the opinion
of the supply officer, could furnish them on short notice in reasonably large quantities if they
were fully informed as to our standards and given a preliminary trial order.

4. In this connection attention is invited to the recent difficulty in obtaining dental
engines from the S. S.White Dental Manufacturng Co. It is understood from the statement
made in your letter of September 27 that the extra parts manufactured by one dental firm
will not fit the engines manufactured by any other firm. This being the case, it seems
apparent that the purchase of dental supplies is practically confined to one firm. If the
dental manufacturing companies are patriotic and desire to cooperate with the War Depart-
ment, it is believed that they should be given an opportunity to so standardize their equip-
ment'as to make it interchangeable so that in event of war the Medical Department will be
able to obtain equipment from a number of firms. If the dental manufacturing companies

168

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

have a particular reason for continuing the manufacture of special hand pieces and extra
parts which will fit only their own engines, it is possible that they will be willing to make
the above concession with the understanding that the interchangeable parts are to be man-
ufactured only in time of war.

5. The rem rks and recommendations of the supply officer are desired.

1. Replying to your letter of the 10th ultimo, 14039-W, the following is a list of the
most imortant supplies which are only obtainable after considerable delay:

Chloroform and ether.

Emetine hydrochloride tablets (hypodermic.)

Guaiacole carbonate.

Naphthalene.

Potassium permanganate.

Hydrargyri salicylas.

Ipecac.

Salvarsan and neosalvarsan.

Quinine sulphate.

Thymol.

Thymol iodide.

Opium pulvis.

Tincture opium.

Tincture opium camphorata.

Unguentum hydrargyri.

Veronal.

Zinc oxide.

Binders, loose leaf.

Files, Shannon.

Papers, all kinds

Needles of all kinds.

Mosquito bars.
Bedsteads.
Blankets, white.
Delft ware.
Razors.

Glassware of all kinds.
Hand grenades.
Litters.

Scales and weights.
Water coolers.

Stains and other laboratory supplies.
Mercury, redistilled.
Trays, photographic.
Screen, intensifying.
Novocain suprarenum tablets.
Dental chests.
Crown removers, Dalton's.
Dental engines.

Instruments, instrument cases and surgical
appliances.

2. Difficulty in obtaining chloroform and ether promptly is due to the trouble
experienced in meeting the specifications.

3. All mercurial salts and preparations are rather difficult to obtain. Same remarks
apply to all the potash salts.

4. Considerable time is required to obtain all textiles, owing to the fact that the
articles desired have to be made up.

5. In the summer months it is always difficult to obtain glassware in large quantities,
owing to the fact that the factories close down.

6. Considerable time is required in obtaining dental engines and in fact all dental
supplies in large quantities.

During the first three months of 1917 few purchases of any magnitude
were considered. Authority had been granted the field medical supply depot,
Washington, to purchase 50,000 shell-wound packets, 10,000 litters, 10,000 sets
of contents for enlisted men's web belts, and a lot of miscellaneous articles. 4
The officer in charge of the New York medical supply depot had been directed
to purchase 200 emergency recruiting outfits, later increased to 500, and other
miscellaneous articles. 5 Except for routine purchases, the procurement of sup-
plies was practically at a standstill.

It was foreseen early in the year that more definite standardization of
sanitary supplies would be necessary, in the event of war, for the joint use of
the Army, Navy, and Public Health Service. A joint board was designated for

PROCUREMENT 169

this purpose which included representatives from those services, eminent sur-
geons, and representatives from the surgical instrument and surgical dressings
manufacturers. 6 The work laid out for this board was the. selection of the most
suitable articles required by modern practice for the care and treatment of the
sick and wounded in the field and in hospital. Mass production in the quantities
required could only be effected by keeping the number of types of instruments
and apparatus at the minimum and by the selection of the simpler and more
easily fabricated models. With the limited facilities available, the task at best
was a gigantic one. The work of the board was completed in April, 1917, and
its selections were published in pamphlet form by the medical section of the
Council of National Defense in May of that year. 7 The articles selected by
this board became the standards for purchase and, for the most part, purchases
during the war were limited to them. The list of laboratory apparatus prepared
by the board was materially modified and augmented in February, 1918, by the
laboratory division of the Surgeon General's Office. 8

EARLY PLANS FOR PURCHASES

As soon as the President's message recommending the declaration of war
against the Imperial German Government had been submitted to Congress, the
Surgeon General began intensive consideration of the plans for the purchase of
medical supplies. In these plans he had the help of the medical section, Council
of National Defense, and of the munitions committee. The Surgeon General
was represented on the latter committee by the officer who had charge of the
supply division of his office. 9 This officer participated in the formulation of
general plans by that committee for the procurement of supplies. The officers
in charge of the several purchasing depots were kept informed of these plans,
in so far as they affected the Medical Department, and of the requirements, in
order that there would be no avoidable delay in the delivery of the supplies.
As soon as it became evident that Congress would vote to declare war, instruc-
tions were sent to the medical supply depots at New York City and Washington
to initiate the purchase of the supplies allocated to them. The instructions to
both depots were practically the same. Those to the New York depot are
quoted below to show the general plan intended to be followed : 10

1. You are authorized to issue 10-day circular advertisements covering all post supplies
(except surgical instruments) needed for an Army of 500,000 men in addition to supplies
already on hand, and including 500 portable dental outfits. X-ray supplies should be
omitted. Provision should be made for 50 per cent increase. If standard articles are not
obtainable, the nearest satisfactory substitute would be acceptable. A board is now revising
the instrument cases and will submit its report in a few days, after which instructions will
be given for the purchase of these items.

2. Bids should also be requested for 12 combination sterilizing sets arranged with
satisfactory boiler for producing steam heat in the manner suggested by the American Co.,
which can give you details. Similar sterilizing outfits are now being made by them for
the American Red Cross. Bids should be forwarded to this office for consideration.

3. The officer in charge of the field medical supply depot, Washington, D. C, has
been instructed to send you a requisition covering all of the post medical supplies which
will be needed at his depot.

170 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

4. The above mentioned circular advertisements should call for deliveries at either New
York, St. Louis, Washington, or some other place within the territory east of the Missis-
sippi River and north of the latitude of St. Louis. This will be necessary as it is probable
that a number of subsidiary medical supply depots must necessarily be established in the
territory indicated, the exact locations of which arc indeterminate at this time. The atten-
tion of the bidders should be called, however, to the fact that all places to which
deliveries are to be made by the contractors will be located on the main railroad lines,
which will facilitate handling and reduce the cost of transportation to a minimum.

5. Attention is invited to the fact that the circular advertisement should call for
deliver} - at Washington only of all items required by the field medical supply depot in the
quantities indicated on requisition to be forwarded to New York as above indicated.
Request for bids for sterilizing sets and portable dental outfits should call for delivery at
New York only.

6. Instructions arc given to issue these circular advertisements at the present time as
it is the desire of this office to be in a position to promptly contract for these supplies as
soon as money is available. By this method the manufacturers will be fully informed as
to our immediate needs and it will be possible for the Medical Department to ascertain how
long it will take to secure the supplies.

7. Twenty-five copies of each circular advertisement should be forwarded to this office
as soon as it is printed. When the bids are opened they should be abstracted at the New
York depot and the supply officer should recommend awards for each item by the usual
red-ink check or otherwise, after which the abstract will be promptly forwarded to this
office for consideration. One item may be recommended for award to several bidders in
case the supply officer believes it would facilitate delivery to split the award in this manner

The early relationship of the munitions committee of the Council of
National Defense and the purchase of medical supplies for the Army is shown
in the following extract of a letter from the representative of the Surgeon
General on that committee to the officer in charge of the medical supply depot,
New York, April 5, 1917: 9

I am a member of the munitions committee of the National Defense Council. This
committee is attempting to coordinate the needs of the various branches of the Government
in order to regulate the distribution of the raw materials to manufacturers who are working
upon supplies for the Government. It is believed that they will be able to secure the
delivery of raw materials when necessary for the production of needed articles, so that this
complaint need no longer be an acceptable excuse for failure to produce the goods. I believe
I am in a position to say that Government assistance will be given if necessary in order to
force the production of raw materials, but bidders should exhaust their own resources first
and not depend upon Government aid. For this reason it is not desirable to inform them
regarding this Government aid until it becomes necessary to do so.

An official communication is being forwarded to you to-day directing the issue of
circular advertisements covering post medical supplies for 500,000 men. While the time of
delivery quoted by the bidders will be a consideration in recommending the award, the
Council of National Defense will take appropriate steps (as above indicated), so that raw
materials may be available and the manufacturers will be able to furnish the articles most
necessary for the Medical Department in the shortest possible time.

In case you come across a problem where bidders can not obtain necessary materials,
if you will submit the proposition to me I will take it up with the munitions committee,
who are convinced that they will be able to regulate this matter satisfactorily. The com-
mittee is working upon the principle of interfering as little as possible with the commercial
interests, and thus far the patriotic offers of business firms seems to have been sufficient,
with some little assistance, for the delivery of needed supplies. There is in back of it all,
however, the authorization to take over plants and compel the furnishing of supplies for
Government use, but this is not being put into prominence at this time. I feel very much
encouraged to believe that we can get what we need promptly with the assistance of the
committee as previously mentioned.

12

PROCUREMENT 171

LACK OF FUNDS

Iii issuing the instructions referred to in the above-quoted letter, at this
early date it was assumed that the declaration of war would he followed
immediately by appropriations sufficient to provide all needed supplies and to
make them available in adequate quantities by the time of actual call of the
troops to the colors. The assumption was natural and was justified by past
history. In 1898, before a state of war had been declared to exist between the
United States and Spain, an appropriation of $50,000,000 for the national
defense had been placed at the disposal of the President to be expended at his
discretion. 11 Of this sum the Medical Department received liberal grants as it
made its wants known. It was expected that a similar procedure would
obtain following the declaration of war with Germany. An appropriation for
the national defense was made April 17, 1917, in the sum of $100,000,000 and
placed at the disposal of the President for disbursement at his discretion.
For some reason, best known to those in authority, it was decided not to
include therein items that could be purchased from ordinary appropriations,
and the Secretary of War decided not to ask the President for allotments of
that fund except for extraordinary objects not embraced in estimates submitted
to Congress. 13

This left the Medical Department, as well as the other supply bureaus of
the War Department, with only the available balances of existing appropri-
ations for the initiation of its war-time purchases. Purchasing officers accord-
ingly were informed on April 9 that the instructions of April 5, above quoted,
were issued with a view of securing bids and making awards, and that
purchases were not to be made until specifically authorized, as appropriations
for the purchase had not become available. 14 This shortage of funds, for a
time, wholly inhibited purchases and procurement was at a standstill. I nder
existing law, except for a few purposes, purchases could not be made unless
there was an appropriation adequate to their fulfillment. April passed without
funds being made available. On May 1 authority was received from the
Secretary of War to purchase in advance of appropriations medical supplies in
the amount of $3, 421, 500. 15 The purchase of medical supplies is one of the
few purchases which, under the statutes, can be made in the absence of
appropriation when the exigency of the service demands it. The following
articles were embraced in this authorization:

Mosquito bars, 100,000, at $4.80 $ 4 8°> 00 °

Canvas cases for bedding:

Large, 25,000, at $6 150,000

Small, 7,000, at $4 28,000

Blankets, field, gray, 250,000, at $5.50 1, 375,000

Litters with slings, 60,000, at $6 360 > 0()0

Pack saddles, 2,000, at $63 _. . 126,000

Cots, canvas, folding, 120,000, at $4 480,000

Chairs, folding, 34,000, at $0.75 25,500

Tables, bedside, folding, at $0.90 27,000

Vials, assorted 35, 000

Books for instruction -■ 335, 000

172 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Copies of this authority to incur a deficiency were furnished the purchasing
officers at the New York and Washington depots, May 2, 1917, with instruc-
tions to proceed at once with the purchase of the supplies enumerated therein. 16

EMERGENCY MEASURES USED TO OBTAIN SUPPLIES

On May 2 the Surgeon General obtained verbal permission from the Secre-
tary of War to incur additional obligations amounting to $5,000,000," in the
absence of appropriations, but this and the sums mentioned above were all too
small for the purpose. The embarrassment due to lack of appropriation was
made known to the manufacturers, by whom the situation was understood.
Many of them indicated a willingness to proceed with production in advance
of a formal order provided they had reasonable assurance from the purchasing
officers that a contract would be forthcoming as soon as the appropriation bill
had passed. Some of the manufacturers had proceeded with commitments for
materials without awaiting this assurance. In order that they might be pro-
tected and be definitely assured that contracts would be given them for the
articles which they had undertaken to supply, letters were sent them in the
following form: 18

I have been informed by you of the progress made by the committee of manufacturers
of surgical dressings in reference to the joint action in apportioning to the manufacturers
the surgical dressings, etc., required by all departments of the Army. I also understand
that these manufacturers, after the apportionment was made by your committee, proceeded
at once with their purchases and manufacturing witli the understanding that such appor-
tionments would be confirmed with contracts now in preparation by the munitions board.
This is to say, that the action taken by your committee and the manufacturers is entirely in
accord with the request of the Secretary of War and myself, and the obligations the manu-
facturers have entered into for the Government become a moral obligation to the United
States Government until such time as its acts are done under contract.

Please extend to eacli manufacturer and to the committee as a wliole my appreciation
of the promptness of action and the expression of my wish that work proceed with all pos-
sible dispatch.

In view of the attitude of many of the manufacturers to proceed at once
with the work of production and in order to save as much time as possible, the
following instructions were sent to the purchasing officers at the New York and
Washington medical supply depots on May 15: I9

1. You are directed to make plans for the purchase of supplies for an army of 1,000,000'
men. You will not place the actual orders until the pending deficiency appropriation bill
passes, but you should be prepared to go ahead promptly when this occurs.

2. Having determined upon the articles needed and from whom you will purchase
them, you may notify such persons that you will give the orders when the money is
available. It is believed most firms will proceed to manufacture the articles upon such
notification. We shall urgently need their products and we must cooperate with the
manufacturers to this extent, which will morally bind us to make the contracts later on.

3. Just how you will place the orders is left to your judgment, as the result of your
knowledge of the business situation and of conversations witli the various manufacturing
committees which have been in cooperation with the Council of National Defense. It
appears that some of these firms prefer that they should be informed at once regarding the
complete needs for a year, while other committees working witli the Government (as for
instance the pharmaceutical committee) suggest that orders be placed in smaller amounts,
and repeated at intervals.

PROCUREMENT 173

4. Our latest information indicates that 32 divisions will be formed and that these will
assemble in divisional camps as far as practicable. It is contemplated that a thousand-bed
hospital shall be provided at each such camp. It may be that some hospitals will be
formed in connection with the hospitals at existing posts. On the other hand, it is probable
that several separate brigade camps may be formed.

5. It is believed you can safely state that you will give an order for at least 25
combination sterilizing outfits. It is probable that more will be needed later.

6. The X-ray outfits will be managed from Washington by Captain Christie.

7. The Secretary of War has directed that no books or other material from which an
Army officer will derive financial benefit shall be purchased during the war. This, of course,
prevents the purchase for the present of such standard books as Mason's Handbook for the
Sanitary Troops, LaGarde's Surgery, and Havard's Hygiene. Major Ashburn has given
up his claim of royalty upon Ashburn's Hygiene, and it is expected that the other authors
will do the same, in which case the publishers' prices to us should be correspondingly
reduced.

8. This letter supersedes any previous directions that conflict with it.

Since a number of prospective contractors seemed unwilling; to incur obli-
gations for raw materials and semifinished parts without a formal order, and
in view of the probable early passage of the pending appropriation bill, the
following instructions were issued to the officers in charge of the purchasing
depots at New York and Washington on May 25 : 20

1. You are authorized to proceed with the purchase of supplies for an army of 1,000,000
men in addition to those now on hand, along the lines previously agreed upon in conferences
with this office.

2. The contract for the surgical dressings is not yet prepared by the munitions board
working with the manufacturers, and this purchase must be delayed till later authorized:
also the order for the revised cases of surgical instruments, the catalogue for which will be
furnished by the board in a few days. It is understood that the manufacturers have been
informed of our needs and are preparing to make prompt deliveries.

3. Thirty combination sets of sterilizers for operating rooms should be obtained. It is
probable that this number may be duplicated in the near future. Thirty X-rays outfits
should be purchased with similiar expectations of later increases. Major Christie will give
expert advice regarding the X-ray apparatus.

4. Five hundred sets of portable dental apparatus should be purchased, and it is also
probable that this order will be doubled later.

5. In the near future three or more distributing depots will be designated, and you will
be furnished a list of supplies which you may ship for their stock. These retailing depots
will carry post, field, and dental supplies.

6. It is to be understood that orders for a three months' supply of pharmaceuticals and
chemicals will be submitted as recommended by the committee of manufacturers of these
articles, working with the Council of National Defense. The subsequent orders will be given
by you after the first lot is well under way, in accordance with the advice of the committee.

7. You have been furnished the requisitions of the St. Louis depot, which may be filled
as they were modified, one-fourth of the pharmaceuticals and chemicals being furnished, and
the remaining amounts as you can purchase them.

8. As previously informed, where standard articles are not obtainable, a satisfactory
substitute may be accepted. As a guiding rule, all possible effort should be made to
combine economy with efficiency. Ornamentation may be omitted and plainer furnishings
substituted, provided they are good and serviceable.

9. A too strict insistence upon nonessential requirements of the specifications that
were desirable during peace times can not be demanded in the present emergency. It is,
however, expected that thoroughly practical articles may be obtained that will meet all
reasonable requirements.

174 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

10. An estimate of the approximate cost of the above supplies should he furnished to
this office as soon as practicable.

11. The original copy of each contract covering the above purchases should be stamped:

Deficiency (RS 3732),

Authority Secretary of War.

April 30, 1917.

12. The above should also be stamped in the upper left-hand corner of memorandum
vouchers covering these purchases. The other copies of the contract and the original orders
should not be stamped as indicated above.

The urgent deficiency appropriation bill became a law on June 15, 1917, 21
and funds became available for the purchase of supplies and to enable the
tentative agreements to be confirmed by contracts. By this time the machin-
ery of procurement was well in motion. By means of the foregoing instuctions,
the purchase of supplies proceeded at a satisfactory rate, and the delay in the
passage of that bill did not have as disastrous results as was anticipated. Pro-
duction went on at top speed, deliveries of most articles were made promptly,
and at sufficient quantity of supplies to permit the medical personnel to carry
on and to prevent suffering was at the several camps as soon as the troops
arrived.

EARLY PURCHASES IN 1917

The initial war purchases during 1917 were based on the requirements of
1 ,000,000 men for one year and followed the general plan outlined above. The
additional needs of the Medical Department, as they arose during that year,
were allotted among the members of the various commodity associations in
much the same manner as the initial purchases. Congress, however, did not
approve this plan and by legislation made it illegal for persons interested in the
sale of supplies to the Government to act in any capacity as procuring agents. 22
The various committees whose services had been of such help to the Medical
Department were disbanded in the latter part of the year as agents or represen-
tatives of the Council of National Defense 2i and were reorganized as war
service committees acting wholly as representatives of the manufacturers of
commodity associations of which they were members. 24

It was decided by the Surgeon General in June, 1917, that hospital accommo-
dations be provided for 25 per cent of the troops in France. It was under-
stood by the officer in charge of the supply division of the Surgeon General's
Office that the troop movements contemplated the early dispatch of all Regular
Army and National Guard troops to France. On account of the time required
to manufacture sufficient hospital beds for the American Expeditionary Forces,
instructions were given the officer in charge of the New York medical supply
depot, on August. 12, 1917, to purchase 3,000 additional ward units (beds,
bedding, and linen for 1 50,000) . 25 Had troops been dispatched to France accord-
ing to this understanding the ward units would have been required by the
time they were ready for shipment. Conditions which arose within the United
States as a result of the epidemics of the winter of 1917-18 required the dis-
tribution of many of these beds to the training camps. The warehouse space
in the new depots was able to take care of the remainder and no slowing of
production on account of lack of storage space became necessary.

PROCUREMENT

175

The laboratory equipment listed in the standard supply table and included
among the articles in the original instructions for the purchase of supplies for
1,000,000 men was very meager. Although the list had been revised by the
committee on standardization, decision concerning the articles to be supplied
to the base hospitals at the training camps was delayed. Instructions to pur-
chase the laboratory equipment, except electrical apparatus, for the 32 train-
ing camps were issued June 30. 26 Purchase of the electrical apparatus was
authorized July 17 and instructions for the purchase of a large lot of laboratory
apparatus, 27 stains, and supplies, not included in former authorizations, were
given July 20. 28

LATE PURCHASES IN 1917

Contracts for the major part of the articles required for the million men
were placed during the months from May to August, 1917, inclusive. The
August contracts were, for the most part, those for surgical dressings. The
actual placing of these contracts had been delayed awaiting the perfection of
the special form of contract which was being developed for that purpose by the
munitions committee of the Council of National Defense collaborating with the
Surgical Dressings Manufacturers' Association and the Surgeon General's
Office. 29

The demand for field equipment and stipplies was very great, and it was
necessary to increase from time to time the quantities authorized to be pur-
chased. On August 7, 1917, instructions for the purchase of the following
articles were given the purchasing officer at the field medical supply depot; the
estimates of cost were based on latest contracts for those articles: 30

Article

Hod sacks

Brassards ___

Cases, bedding:

Large

Small

Pillow sacks

Chairs:

Folding

Medical ami surgical

Quantity

Esti-
mated
cost

140, (XX)
150,000

25, 000

7,000

100,000

34,000
3.600

Article

$280. 000
16, 000

145, 000
29,000
55, 000

20.000
25.000

Quant it v

Tables -

Bedside, folding.-- 30,000

Mess 6,000

Litters 60,000

Canvas for litter yards.. 135,000

Tags, diagnosis, books of 250.000

Chests, tool. No. 2. .-- 300

Esti-
mated
cost

$30, 000
36, 000

360, 000
67,000
50, 000
13.000

Total -- 1,126,01X1

These purchases were augmented on August 28 by instructions to purchase
350,000 blankets and 60,000 more litters. 31 On September 6, the following
instructions for the purchase of field supplies were issued to the office in charge
of the field medical supply depot. 32

1. You are authorized and directed to make purchases of field supplies as follows:
Fabrics and textiles. — Duplicate orders placed as per Schedule 329, with the following
exceptions:

Bed sacks.

Blankets.

Brassards.

Case, bedding, large.

Of the excepted articles buy none at present.

Case, bedding, small.
Covers for cots.
Covers for litters.
Mosquito bars.

176

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Duplicate Schedule 330, with the following exceptions:

Desk, field, No. 1.

Mosquito bar frames.

Spreaders for mosquito bar frames.

Tables, bedside, folding.

Tables, mess, folding.

Wooden articles:

Boxes, standard packing.

Chairs, folding.

Chest, medical and surgical

Cots, folding.

Cots, and sticks for.

Buy none of the excepted articles at the present time.

Miscellaneous supplies. — Duplicate Schedule 331, with the following exceptions: Bottles,
flint, 8-ounce, wide mouth, ground-glass stoppers; litters; packsaddles and all packsaddle
parts.

Buy none of the excepted articles. Buy bottles, flint, 8-ounce, wide mouth, and corks
for same, in lieu of the ground-glass stoppered bottles. Buy 10, 000 litter slings, as shown
on schedule, with the new-style hardware.

Hardware and metal articles. — Duplicate Schedule 332, except as indicated below:

Scissors, bent trimmers, 7, 000.

Spreaders for pack saddles, none.
Stoves, alcohol, none.

Stoves, coal oil, blue frame, single burner,
4, 000.

Cargo frames, none.

Chest, tool No. 2, none.

Collars for flagstaff, 800 sets.

Flagstaffs, 800 sets (1, 600 poles).

Packsaddle frames, none.

Scissors, blunt point, steel, 125, 000 (these

should be bought through the surgical

instruments committee).

Table ware and cooking vlensils. — Duplicate Schedule 333.

Instruments and appliances. — Duplicate Schedule 334, except as indicated below:

Cases, hemostatic forceps, none.

Cases for enlisted men's belts, none.

Cases for officers' belts, none.

Cases, instrument, for emergency case, none

Cases, tooth extracting, none.

Rubber goods. — Duplicate Schedule 335, with the following exception
Martin's, 15,000 instead of 5,000.

Stationery. — Duplicate Schedule 336, except as indicated below:

Forceps, artery, Tape's, none.
Needles, surgical, none.
Specula, ear, none.
Specula, rectal, none.
Tourniquets, field, web, 250, 000

Bandages, rubber,

Books, note, manifolding fillers
Erasers, steel

250, 000
3, 000

with the following [exception: Tins, square,

Books, blank:

Crown, cap, 250 pages. . 5, 000

8vo, 150 pages 30, 000

Tin containers. — Duplicate Schedule 33
round corner, i}4 by 4% by %M inches, body height, 150,000 (instead]of 100,000).

Surgical dressings. — Duplicate Circular 338 in so far as it applies to ligatures and sutures,
but buy no dressings at this time.

In addition to the above purchases you are directed to double your requisition on New
York, dated April 7, 1917, except as indicated below:

200, 000
600, 000

Ether tins..

Foot powder do

Quininse, hydrochlorosulphas,

hypodermic tablets tubes.- 60, 000

Books, blank:

Crown, cap 250 pages None.

8vo, 850 pages None.

Files, Shannon None.

Apparatus, restraint 200

Boxes, folding for tablets .gross.. 200, 000

Cases:

General operating _ _

Operating, small

Post-mortem

Crutches

Rubber tips for crutches.

Chest, tool, No. 1

Dishes, Petri

Medicine droppers

Pails, commode

700
3,000

150
2,000
4,000

150

None.

200, 000

1,500

PROCtTKEMEXT 177

Thermometers, clinical 100,000

Towels, dish 360,000

Tubing, drainage yards- _ 200, 000

Urinomcters 400

Books, medical sets-- 120

Pajama coats 500, 000

Pajama trousers _ 500, 000

Pins --papers.- 150,000

Pins, safety do 1, 500,000

Scales and weights None.

Shears None.

Syringe, hypodermic, extra

needles 200,000

The instructions covering the purchase of surgical instruments were elab-
orated in the following letter sent to the medical supply depot at New York
and the field medical supply depot at Washington, the letters being identical : n

1. You are authorized and directed to purchase surgical instruments as follows:
Duplicate the present contracts, making them out exactly like those now in effect with the
different firms, quantity to be the same. Send the contracts to the several firms with a
letter requesting them to sign the same and return, if they are willing to undertake the work
at the prices stated.

2. It is believed that the majority of the manufacturers will accept the terms and sign
the contracts. Those who do not you will report to this office. This procedure is followed
on the advice of the chairman of the committee on surgical instruments, Council of National
Defense. However, you need not mention this in your letter to the manufacturers.

Authorization to the officer in charge, New York medical supply depot, for
the purchase of Hodgen's splints in large quantities was granted October 24,
1917, 34 and, on November 7, 1917, for the purchase of stock of assorted instru-
ments according to the list in the standard catalogue in such quantities as
indicated on requisitions received. 35

PURCHASES DURING 1918

The purchase of laboratory supplies was transferred from the New York
depot to the field medical supply depot in Washington at the end of 1917. 36
By this time, the standard supply table of laboratory supplies had been fully
completed and the list was extensive. Also, the requirements in all classes of
supplies had become better known, and a change in the mode of stating the
requirements was made. This method is described in detail below under
"Hospital supplies, Schedule 1." Because of the urgent need for laboratory
supplies and the difficulties which had been experienced in securing them,
these instructions directed that orders for them be placed without delay. The
list included 130 articles.

With the rapid expansion of the Army, the changing environment, and the
morbidity rate, it was continually necessary to add new articles of equipment
to the armamentarium of the hospitals. Specialties sprang up overnight
almost, and equipment had to be selected, standardized, and provided as the
needs required. New types of morbidity were developing from changed condi-
tions and weapons of combat. As each new condition arose, apparatus and
supplies were developed and provided to cope with it. Advances in equipment
were rapid. As these articles of new equipment were needed, instructions for
their purchase were issued, while purchases of standard articles were made at
fairly regular intervals.
30663—28 12

178 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The strength of the Army was constantly increasing, likewise the demand
for medical supplies. By the end of 1917 the troops called to the colors had
reached a million and a half, and further augmentation was being considered. 37
More supplies must be purchased. Plans for the early purchases in 1918 were
perfected during the latter part of December, 1917. Instructions for the pur-
chase of post supplies were sent to the officer in charge of the New York med-
ical supply depot under date of January 10, 1918, as "Part I, hospital supplies,
schedule of medical supplies required by the United States Army." 38 The letter
of instructions directing these purchases is quoted here in full because, in
several respects, it marks a departure from the method which previously had
been followed in compliance with the instructions of the Secretary of War of
April 13, 1917, already quoted. The letter is followed by sufficient extracts
from Schedule 1 which accompanied it for a better understanding of the plan.

January 10, 1918.
From: The Surgeon General.

To: The officer in charge, medical supply depot, 628 Greenwich Street, New York.
Subject: Purchase of post supplies.

1. I send herewith Part I of schedule of medical supplies required by the Army. This
list includes practically all items listed in the Manual for the Medical Department under
the title " Post supplies. " X-ray supplies are also listed, as are certain foods, beverages,
and condiments pertaining to the field supply table. The latter are included for the reason
that it will frequently be advisable for your depot to purchase these for shipment to France.

2. You are advised that the officer in charge, field medical supply depot, will be
instructed to send no more requisitions to your depot for the purpose of replenishing his
stock, but will, in future, purchase the articles heretofore drawn from your depot on

requisition. These articles include alcohol, hypodermic tablets, cases of instruments, pajamas
towels, etc. You will, however, fill all unfilled requisitions from that depot now on hand
as soon as possible.

3. The following instructions will govern in making purchases under this schedule:
(a) Invite quotations on all items of a class at the same time, whenever possible, and

for the full quantity to be purchased quarterly. If this is done the number of contracts to

be made will be materially reduced.

(')) In all invitations for quotations the following statement should appear:

"Bidders may submit quotations for one or more of the items and for the whole or any

portion of the total quantities called for of any item. Bidders must also state the rate of

delivery and the total quantity they will deliver without fail within 90 days from date of

award."

This requirement is very important, as it will enable the purchasing officer to so make

the awards that in the majority of cases deliveries of the supply will be assured during the

quarter covered by the purchase.

(c) As a rule, from 10 to 20 days should be given bidders in which to submit quota-
tions. The date and hour of opening should be stated in the imitation.

(d) The invitations for quotations on the several classes of supplies should be sent out
in such a way as to insure an even distribution of the clerical work involved in correspon-
dence with bidders, drawing up contracts, etc. If this rule is followed, contracts can be
executed promptly after awards are made.

(e) In future you will not purchase any articles pertaining solely to the field supply
table unless directed to do so by this office. This applies to such articles as folding chairs,
folding tables, etc. Should such items appear on requisitions referred to your depot for
issue, you should advise this office at once.

(/) Until further notice from this office you are directed to proceed as follows:

PROCUREMEXT 179

Class I. Medicines, Antiseptics, and Disinfectants

LISTS A AND B

1. Purchase enough of each item to bring the total quantity purchased since June 1,
1917, up to the figures given in first column (for 1, 000, 000 men one year) plus the quantity
required to till requisitions from the field medical supply depot since April 1, 1917. If
there are indications that the quantity of any item given is not sufficient, it is directed that
you advise this office without delay.

2. The regular quarterly purchases of both lists will be made by the general purchasing
office, Medical Department, United .States Army, now being organized. The first quarterly
purchase will be made a 1 out March 1, 1918.

Class II. Instruments and Appliances

1. Purchase enough of each item to bring the total purchased since June 1, 1917, up to
the figures given in the first column, plus the quantity required to fill requisitions from the
field medical supply depot since April 1, 1917. If a probable shortage is indicated notify this
office.

2. The regular quarterly purchase indicated should be made by you, including in the
first quarter those purchases to be made under paragraph 1, list A.

1. Submit a statement to this office showing total purchases of each item made since
June 1, 1917.

2. In future purchases of items on this list will be made by the general purchasing office.

3. Submit a list of the "reserve" instruments you have purchased under authorization
from this office dated November 7, 1917, with recommendations as to quantities that, in your
opinion, should be purchased quarterly.

Class III. Surgical Dressings

Submit a statement showing total quantity of each item purchased since May 1, 1917.
In future the items of this class will be purchased by the general purchasing office, Med-
ical Department.

Class IV. Sutures

Submit statement showing total purchases since June 1, 1917.

In future the items of this class will be purchased by the general purchasing office, Med-
ical Department.

Class V. Hospital Equipment and Fuhniture

1. Purchase enough of eacli item to bring the total quantity purchased since June 1,
1917, up to the figures given in first column plus the quantity required to fill requisitions
from the field medical supply depot since April 1, 1917. If there are indications that the
quantity of any item as given therein is not sufficient, advise this office without delay.

2. The regular quarterly purchases of the items of this list will be made by you. Include
in the first quarter those purchases to be made under paragraph 1, list A.

Submit statement to this office showing total purchases of each item made since May
1, 1917. Also submit recommendations as to purchases, bearing in mind those items
marked *, against which the commander in chief, American Expeditionary Force, has sent stop
orders.

180 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Class VI. Fabrics and Textiles

Submit statement to this office showing total purchases of each item since June 1,
1917, and the quantities requisitioned by the field medical supply depot since April 1, 1917.

Future purchases of items on this list will be made by the general purchasing office,
Medical Department.

Class VII. Rubber Goods

1. Purchase enough of each item to bring the total quantity purchased since June 1,
1917, up to the figure given in first column, plus the quantity required to fill requisitions
from the field medical supply depot since April 1, 1917. If there are indications that the
quantity of any item as given therein is not sufficient, advise this office without delay.

2. The regular quarterly purchases of the items of this class will be made by you. Include
in the first quarter those purchases to be made under paragraph 1.

Class VIII. Kitchen Utensils and Tableware

1. Purchase enough of each item to bring the total quantity purchased since June 1,
1917, up to the figure given in first column. If, in your opinion, the quantity given of any
item is too low, advise this office without delay.

2. The quarterly purchases will be made by you. Include in the first quarter those
purchases to be made under paragraph 1.

Class IX. Stationery

LISTS A AND B

1. Purchase enough of each item to bring the total quantity purchased since June 1,
1917, up to the figure given in first column plus the quantity required to fill requisitions
from the field medical supply depot since April 1, 1917. If, in your opinion, the quantity
given, of any item, is too low advise this office without delay.

2. The quarterly purchases will be made by you. Include in the first quarter the pur-
chases to be made under paragraph 1.

Class X. Miscellaneous

1. Purchase enough of each item to bring the total quantity purchased since June 1,
1917, up to the figure given in first column plus the quantity required to fill requisitions
from the field medical supply depot, since April 1, 1917. If, in your opinion, the quantity
given of any item is too low, advise this office without delay.

2. The quarterly purchases will be made by you. Include in the first quarter the pur-
chases to be made under paragraph 1.

Class XI. X-Ray Supplies

1. Purchase enough of each item to bring the total quantity purchased since June 1,
1917, up to the figure given in first column. If, in your opinion, the quantity given of any
item is too low, advise this office without delay.

2. The quarterly purchases will be made by you. Include in the first quarter the pur-
chases to be made under paragraph 1.

list b

Report to this office the total quantity of each item purchased since June 1, 1917, and
whether, in your opinion, the quantity given of any item is too low.

Class XII. Foods, Beverages and Condiments

To be purchased by you as required to fill requisitions and overseas orders.
(g) Special apparatus, instruments, etc., will be purchased by you on special authoriza-
tion from this office as heretofore.

PROCUREMENT

181

(h) Laboratory equipment and supplies will be issued from the field medical supply
depot. Requisitions for these supplies will, however, be referred to you until the supply
now on hand or under contract shall have been issued.

(i) A schedule of dental supplies is now being prepared and will be sent to you at an
early date.

It is requested that you acknowledge receipt of these instructions.

SCHEDULE OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES REQUIRED BY THE UNITED STATES

ARMY

Part I. Hospital Supplies

CONTENTS

Class 1. Medicines, antiseptics, and disin-
fectants.
Class 2. Instruments and appliances.
Class 3. Surgical dressings.
Class 4. Sutures.

Class 5. Hospital equipment and furniture.
Class 6. Fabrics and textiles.

Class 7. Rubber goods.

Class 8. Kitchen utensils and tableware.

Class 9. Stationery.

Class 10. Miscellaneous supplies.

Class 11. X-ray supplies.

Class 12. Foods, beverages, and condiments.

Note.
General.

List B. Class 1.
List B. Class 2.
All of Class 3.

-The following are to be purchased only on special authorization of the Surgeon

List B. Class 5.
List B. Class 6.
List B. Class 11.

Class 1. Medicines, Antiteptics, and Disinfectants
list a

To be purchased as indicated.

Items

Articles

Quantity

required for

1, (100,000

men for 1

year

Quantity
to be pur-
chased
every 3
months

1
4

8

17

Acacia, powder, 1 pound, in bottle _ _.

Acidum nitricum, M pound, in bottle . ..

. ._ bottles. .

do....

__.do.-_

12.000

6,000

12,000

1,000,000

5,000

2,500

5,000

400,000

*****
Class 2. Instruments and Appliances
list a

To be purchased as indicated.

Items

Articles

Quantity

required for

1,000,000

men for 1

year

Quantity
to be pur-
chased
every 3
months

1
8

Applicators for throat, metal... .

... number..

— do____

4,000
2,000
2,000
4,000

500

500

12

20

■era

500
1,000

182

FINAXCK AND SUPPLY

LIST K

To be purchased as required by special authority of the Surgeon General.

Items

Cases, ear, nose, and throat (par. 912' number. .

Cases, forceps, hemostatic (par. 915) do

Cases, general operating (par. 9 Pi) do

Quantity

required for

1,000,000

men for 1

year

Quantity
to be pur-
chased
every 3
months

1 000

4 000

2.000

Class 3. Surgical Dklssinus
To be purchased only on special authorization of the Surgeon General.

Items

Articles

Bandages, gauze, roller, assorted, dozens in box.. boxes..

Cotton bats -. pounds..

Gauzes, absorbent, plain ...yards-

Quantity

required for

1,000.000

men for 1

year

Quantity
to be pur-
chased
every 3
months

000, 000 250, 000

400,000 ; 150,000

50, 000. 000 20. 000. 000

Class 4. Sutubes

To be purchased as indicated.

Items

1 Sutures, catgut, plain, sterilized, 18 inches in tube, assorted sizes .

5 Sutures, silk, braided, sterilized, IS inches each. 3 sizes in package.

6 | Sutures, silkworm gut, 100 in coil

tubes..

.packages..

coils..

Quantity

required for

1,000,000

men for 1

year

1100, (KM
240, 000

30, 000

Quantity
to be pur-
chased
every 3
months

225, 0I»
90,000
12, 000

******

Class 5. Hospital Equipment and Furniture
list a
To be purchased as indicated.

Articles

Basins for sponges, white enamel number

8 Bottles, 4-quart, glass stopper, for antiseptic solutions do..

19 j Funnels, glass, 250 c. c do

40 Medicine glasses do

Quantity

required for

1,000,000

men for 1

year

Quanity
to be pur-
chased
every 3
months

20, 000
(>. 0IX)
3, 000

48,000

5,000

1,500

800

12,000

PROCUREMENT
Class 6. Fabrics and Textiles

LIST A

To be purchased as indicated.

Articles

183

4 Gowns, operating number

7 Pajamas, suits - - suits

5 Pillow cases, cotton- ... _.. number

9 Sheets, cotton --- .. do—

*****

Class 7. Rubber Goods
To be purchased as indicated.

Quantity Quantity

required for to be puf-

1.000,000 , chased

men for 1 every 3

year months

2 Bags, rubber, hot water _ _„ number..

5 | Catheters, flexible, assorted sizes do

10 I Gloves, rubber pairs..

16 ' Tubes, drainage, rubber, ;s sizes, one yard lengths, of each size yards..

30,000
1)0,000
200,000
100,000

12,000
24,000
80,000
40,000

******

Class 8. Kitchen Utensils and Tableware
To be purchased as indicated.

Items

Articles

Quantity Quantity

required for to be pur-

1,000,000 chased

men for 1 every

year 3 months

Boilers, coffee, ll 1 2-quart, enamel or tin _ number.. 4,000 1,600

Boilers, double, for cooking, 11-quart _ _ .do 4,000 | 1,600

Boilers, double, for cooking, 4-quart do 8,000 ' 3,200

Forks, table, silver tor nickel) plated do 200,000 72,000

* * *

Class 9. Stationery

list A

To be purchased as indicated.

Ink, black (powder or tablets), sufficient in box for 1 quart of fluid boxes..

Labels, for vials _ gross.

Pads, prescription dozen..

Paper, manifolding, letter, 500 sheets in package packages..

Paper, typewriter, letter, 500 sheets in package do

Quantity

Quantity

required for

to be pur-

1,000,000

chased

men for 1

every

year

3 months

4,000

1,000

80,000

20,000

40,000

8,000

13,000

4,000

14,000

3,500

184 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Class 10. Miscellaneous Supplies
To be purchased as indicated.

Items

Articles

Quantity

required for

1,000,000

men for 1

year

Quantity
to be pur-
chased
every 3
months

3

Boxes, folding, for tablets..

125, 000
90,000
48,000
36, 000

650, 000

36, 000
24,000
12,000
12,000
165, 000

7

Brooms, corn

13

Brushes, scrubbing _ .

24

Lye, concentrated, 1 pound in can. .

35

Soap, Ivory, or equal ._

Class 11. X-ray Supplies
list a

To be purchased as indicated.

Articles

Films, dental, 1*2 by 2 l 4 inches... .dozen

Preservers, negative, for 14 by 17 plates

Plates, X-ray, 14 by 17 inches __ '.'..'....'.'.". ".""dozen

Screens, intensifying, detachable, 14 by 17 inches, without cassettes, furnished" in card

board folder _

Hydroquinone -~-7-7.7_pounds'

Quantity Quantity

required for to be pur-

1,000,000 chased

men for 1 every 3

year months

5,000
20,000
20,000

500
1.250

2,000
X.000
8,000

200

500

******

Class 12. Foods, Beverages, and Condiments
To be purchased as required.

Items

Articles

Cocoa, in 8-ounce tins tms

Milk, condensed, unsweetened, 1-pound tins, Borden's tail can, or equal" 7" — — - """""£„
Soup, assorted, equal quantities of oxtail and mock turtle, Campbell's or equal- io'"i ounces net"

in tins " ™ tins ''

Sugar, granulated, in bulk pounds "

Quantity

required for

1, 000, 000

men for 1

year

4, 000, 000
1,000,000

1,000,000
500,000

Schedule 2, field supplies, was transmitted to the field medical supply depot
on February 7, 1918, and accompanied by instructions similar to those to the
New York depot just quoted. 39 The general purchasing office, Medical Depart-
ment, having been established in Washington, D. C, the purchase of medicines,
antiseptics, disinfectants, certain surgical instruments, surgical dressings, fab-
rics, and textiles were reserved to that office for procurement. Schedule 2 was.

PROCTJKEMENT 185

prepared in the same manner and with appropriate classifications as Schedule

I. It will not be quoted.

The schedule for dental supplies 40 and the schedule for veterinary supplies 41
were prepared during the latter part of January. They correspond in form
with that of Schedule 1 above quoted. The schedule of dental supplies was
transmitted, with appropriate instructions similar to those with Schedule 1, to
the New York medical supply depot for procurement under date of February

II. The schedule for veterinary supplies conformed in general classification
and arrangement to those already mentioned. Its basis of computation was,
however, 250,000 animals. This schedule, with appropriate instructions, was
sent to the medical supply depot at St. Louis, Mo., on February 12, 1918.

This method of stating requirements and issuing instructions to purchase
continued in force until June, 1918, when it was modified to adapt it to the
automatic supply schedule received from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., France,
on May 10. 42 This automatic supply schedule stated, for every article on the
authorized supply list, the quantity required monthly for a mixed force of
25,000 men from front to rear, without regard to organization or whether in
the combat zone or in the rest or training areas. Initial equipment for med-
ical units was to accompany them or to arrive before them in accordance with
the sailing schedule of such units.

In order to make procurements conform to the automatic supply schedule,
mimeographed sheets were prepared showing the articles to be purchased by
each of the three purchasing agencies of the Medical Department. On these
sheets were listed the articles, the quantities required for one base or general
hospital, and those on the automatic schedule for the particular articles. In
issuing instructions to purchase or to procure articles it was necessary only to
specify the number of times the quantities entered on these sheets was to be
provided. As the strength of the Army was being augmented rapidly, this
method proved a great convenience in meeting the changing conditions. The

letter and a specimen sheet follow: 43

November 2, 1918.
From: The Surgeon General.

To: The officer in charge, general purchasing office, Medical Department.
Subject: Procurement schedule.

1. I send herewith procurement schedule of articles to be purchased by the general
purchasing office. This list covers the estimated requirements from January 1 to June
30, 1919.

2. It is directed that you purchase one thousand one hundred and fifty times the
quantity of each item listed in the last column, " Automatic supply for each 25,000 men,"
and seventy-five times the quantity listed in the column " Initial equipment for base hospi-
tals," except for those items for which the figures are indicated in the left-hand margin of
each page. In these cases you should buy the quantities stated.

3. Contracts should specify deliveries from December 1, 1918, to May, 1919, in approx-
imately equal monthly installments.

By direction of the Surgeon General:

C. R. Darnall,
Colonel, Medical Corps.
One inclosure.

186

FIXAXCE AND SUPPLY

Procurement schedule, Medical Department, United States Army
[To be purchased by general purchasing office]

Monthly
Initial auto-
equip- inatic
ment supply

for base
hospitals

1(10,000

70. (KIO

HO, 000

None.
None.
None.
L'5,000

7, (KIO
00, 000
50, 000

'.10,0011

Hi, (XXI

10. 000

300

MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES

Atomizers, hand number.

Bags, rubber, hot water do...

Hags, rubber, ice, for head do...

Bandages, gauze, compressed, 1 gross in box, 3 sizes boxes .

Bandages, gauze roller, assorted, 6 dozen in box. ._ do...

Bandages, plaster of Paris, 3-inch, in individual packets dozen.

Bandages, rubber, Martin number.

Bandages, suspensory dozen.

Bandages, winders number.

Basins, for sponges, etc., while enamei do...

Basins, white enamel, for operating room do...

Bedpans, white enamel ...do...

Bells, call .do...

Boilers, instrument do.—

Books, medical library, base hospital, sets do...

Bougies, flexible. Nos. 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, French scale do—

Capsules, gelatin, 100 in box:

Size 00 __ boxes.

Size do...

Size 1 do-
Size 2... .- do...

Cases, aspirating (par. 910) number.

-,.',1
864
300

for each

25,000

men

720

216

288

96

is

31)0

132

840

216

144

6

COO
000
000
900
12

50

100

20

2,000

600

500

20

30

5

30

30

60

10

100
100
500
500

This method of stating requirements was used also in giving instructions for
the placing of interhureau requisitions after the consolidation of procurement
had become fully effective in the summer of 1918. The same method continued
in use until the Surgeon General was divested of the procurement activities of
his office November 15, 1918, by the general consolidation of all procurement
activities under the control of the director of purchase and storage, purchase,
storage, and traffic division, General Staff. 44

While general procurement schedules and instructions for purchase were
issued at fairly regular and stated intervals, issue of purchase instructions by
the Surgeon General's Office was of practically daily occurence. These instruc-
tions were issued by indorsements on requisitions authorizing the purchase of
articles entered thereon which were not in stock or due on contract, by approvals
of requests from the various medical supply officers to purchase supplies of
of which they were out of stock, and in letters directing the purchase of various
articles in specified quantities.

BY THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT GENERAL PURCHASING OFFICE

Very early in production, prospective shortages of various commodities
appeared, and the War Industries Board began to exercise increasing control
over raw materials through its system of priorities. This control was effected
largely through conferences with representatives of the various industries and
by securing their cooperation. These conferences were generally held in
Washington in the offices of the War Industries Board. Washington came to
be the common meeting place of representatives of industry and the point of
contact between them and the Government supply bureaus.

PROCUREMENT 187

As the year 1917 drew to a close, the tendency toward centralization
of activities in Washington became manifest, and indicated the expediency of
establishing a central agency in the Medical Department at Washington for
the purchase of medical and hospital supplies. It seemed a logical step.
Representatives of the various war service committees of manufacturers were
more or less continuously in Washington; contact with them could be made
quickly and business transacted with greater promptness.

A centralized purchasing department was organized early in January, 1918,
under the title, "general purchasing office, Medical Department, United States
Army." 45 Office space was given it at first in the Premier Apartment Building,
718 Eighteenth Street NW., Washington, D.C.. and later in Unit F, Seventh and B
Streets NW., Washington, D. C. Personnel was assigned to it and an intensive
study was made of methods of purchase, production, and inspection in effect
at the several supply depots. 46 At first but a few articles were consolidated for
purchase by this organization. 45 By the middle of April, 175 contracts had
been placed by it. 47 As its organization improved and the experience of its
personnel increased other articles and commodities were consolidated for pro-
curement by it. The assignment of articles to this office for purchase were, in
older, medicines, surgical dressings, textiles, certain field items, surgical instru-
ments, 47 until finally the greater part of all articles on the supply table, as well
as special articles, were being procured. The organization developed slowly.
Experts were called in to handle the various commodities assigned to it for pro-
curement. The commissioned personnel, all officers of the Sanitary Corps,
gradually increased, until at the time of signing the armistice they numbered
12. The office force, composed of limited-service men and civilian employees,
had grown correspondingly. The personnel was grouped into sections in con-
formity with the various classes of duty to be performed, and into commodity
sections for purchases. In this it followed commercial practice.

The general purchasing office maintained no depot for the storage and issue
of the supplies it purchased. It had no property accountability or responsi-
hility, other than for the office equipment in its office. It exercised a purely
purchase function, negotiated purchases and placed contracts or purchase orders.
It maintained records of purchases and production. It received its requirements
from the Surgeon General's Office in the form of instructions to purchase. It
was always in close liaison with that office with which its contact was direct and
immediate. Conferences between the two offices were of almost daily occurence.

In conformity with existing instructions, all purchases were made after
advertising. Circulars of advertisement were issued; bids were opened,
abstracted; awards were made; and contracts placed in routine manner in
accordance with the regulations of the War Department. New sources of
supply were investigated and new facilities sought. All payments for supplies
purchased by the general purchasing office were made by the disbursing officer
in the Surgeon General's Office. Consequently it was not the custodian of any
public funds.

In its procurement the general purchasing office functioned in a manner
similar to the purchasing division of the supply depots. Having no storage

188 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

and issue function, it was relieved of property accountability and rendered no
return of property. This injected a new problem into the procurement of
supplies. How to avoid this accountability and the rendering of the prescribed
return was a difficult question for a time. It was finally solved by requiring
the officer who received the supplies to take them up on his returns in much
the same manner as was done by purchasing officers at the depots. The
responsibility of the general purchasing office terminated with the placing of
the articles purchased on board cars at the contractor's plant. All contracts
called for delivery f. o. b. factory. The purchasing office followed production
and arranged for the inspection of the supplies at the factory where they were
made or at one of the chemical laboratories. From there on all details were
handled by agencies within the finance and supply division of the Surgeon
General's Office. Shipments were handled by the transportation section,
vouchers and payments by the disbursing branch of the finance section, and
property accountability by the property accounts section.

As noted elsewhere (p. 7f ), property received by purchase for many years
had been taken up and reported to the Surgeon General through the use of a form
known as Form 12. This form listed the articles and quantities received and bore
the certificate of the purchasing officer that he had taken them up on his return
of property. In solving the problem of purchases made by an agency which
did not receive the property purchased or assume responsibility for
it this form was not appropriate. A different procedure became necessary,
for which new forms were devised. The revised purchase procedure
contemplated that the supplies would be shipped from the contractor
direct to a medical supply depot or other consignee and taken up by the latter.
When the contractor had supplies ready for delivery, a formal order was sent
him to make shipment; this order bore a serial number, the name of the con-
tractor, the name and address of the consignee, and the articles and quantities
to be shipped. The order was duly signed by an officer designated for that
purpose. A printed form was used and the details filled in by typewriter.
As it was typed, several copies of a similar form were prepared with it by the
carbon process. The copies of this form were of different colors — pink, yellow,
green, and white. The shipping order was blue. Each colored sheet had a dif-
ferent purpose, although all bore the same information. The purpose and
distribution of these two forms are shown below:

Application of Shipping Order and Invoice Receipt

blue sheet 1

This is the original shipping order and goes to the shipper; it does not have the receipt
portion at the bottom; it should specify definitely, commodity, unit, amount to be shipped,
consignee, bill of lading numbers, etc.

PINK SHEET 2

This copy is filed by the transportation branch, alphabetically, and attached to the
contract papers.

i This does not show unit price, 'These all show unit price.

PROCUREMENT 189

YELLOW SHEET '

Tliis copy is forwarded by the transportation branch for the information of the
tabulation, statistical, and finance sections.

THREE GREEN SHEETS 2

These are mailed directly to the consignee by the transportation branch and in turn
filled out by the consignee as to the receipt portion and disposed of as follows:

First green sheet is mailed by the consignee direct to the transportation branch, Medical
Department, and is then passed on to the purchasing officer, who attaches the same to his
•contract papers to show final disposition.

Second green sheet is mailed to the disbursing officer, finance section, and is passed on
from him to returns section to be taken up on the property return.

Third green sheet is filed by the consignee as his permanent record of the property, unit
price of same, and to show the property taken up on his return.

WHITE SHEET 2

This filed numerically by the transportation branch in order to quickly connect up
information which may refer only to shipping order or bill of lading numbers.

Note. — When shipping orders are issued in blank to either of the field agents at Fall
River, Mass., or Spartanburg, S. C, there will be furnished with each set the following:

Second white sheet to be filed by either of the above alphabetically with their papers.

Third white sheet to be filed by either of the above numerically.

The shipping order, when mailed to the contractor, was accompanied by a
Government bill of lading filled out, except for the details which could not be
entered until the shipment was made up, such as number of packages and
weight. The spaces to be filled in by the shipper were appropriately indicated.
The copies of the essential parts of the bill of lading, all containing the same
entries, except as to signature, were required. These copies included the
shipping order, the original bill of lading, and three memorandum bills of
lading. The shipping order was a formal request to the transportation com-
pany to make the shipment and bore the signature of an officer of the Army
duly authorized to sign it. The original and the three memorandum bills of
lading were to be authenticated by the agent of the transportation company.
Identical instructions and conditions were printed on the reverse side of the
shipping order and the original bill of lading. They recited the agreement
between the shipper and the transportation company and the conditions under
which the shipment was made.

The yellow copy of the form of invoice-receipt was lodged finally in the
finance section, finance and supply division, for the information and use of the
disbursing officer. The No. 2 copy of the memorandum bill of lading, when
received by the transportation branch, was routed to the disbursing officer,
thus informing him of the technical delivery of the supplies ordered. Upon
this evidence of delivery he was authorized to make payment. The second
green copy of the shipping order-invoice-receipt form, duly signed by the
■consignee, upon its receipt in the finance and supply division, went first to the
finance section to complete the chain of evidence of delivery and acceptance.
From the finance section it went to the property accounts section, where it

a These all show unit price.

190 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

was filed and served to charge the consignee with accountability for the articles
in the same manner as did the standard form of receipt. This completed the
cycle. The property had been duly contracted for, delivered, paid for, and
accountability for it established, without the purchasing officer having assumed
accountability for it.

The records kept by the general purchasing office were a correspondence
file, a contract file, a bid for proposal file, price records, production records,
and inspection reports. These were all very similar to those maintained by
the purchasing department described in the account of the New York medical
supply depot. They need not be further considered here. The same general
forms were used for circular advertisements and purchase orders. For con-
tracts and abstracts of bids standard official forms were used.

To establish uniformity in practice and the required quality on delivery,
instructions in the following form were sent to manufacturers of pharma-
ceuticals.

General Purchasing Office,
Medical Department United States Army,

Washington, D. C.

Sirs: Before making shipment on any article awarded yon on circular, preliminary
sample for examination must be submitted and approved by our chemist.

Whenever practicable submit an original container such as you propose to supply except
in case of bulk, then a quantity sufficient to make at least three determinations should be
submitted in a clean well-stoppered bottle. Sample must be plainly marked with your
name as manufacturer or dealer and the "name of the item and number as it appears in
the circular. It must also contain your identifying or control number; every lot separately
manufactured must bear such distinctive number for the purpose of identification, so that
in the event of nonacceptability of any lot or delivery or partial delivery, it may be readily
recognized without prejudice to other acceptable deliveries.

Samples of items whose number is preceded by the letter "P" are to be sent direct to:

Inspection Department,

Medical Supply Depot, United States Army,

Washington and Morton Streets,

New York, N. Y.

Samples of items whose number is preceded by letters " C " or " F " are to be sent direct to:

Chemist, Surgeon General's Office,

Army Medical Museum Building,

Seventh and B Streets SW., Washington, D. C.

These preliminary samples are requested with the view of preventing shipment and
subsequent return of items, which through error, lack of understanding of requirements,
or for other reasons, do not meet our standards. Later inspection as to packing, weight,
measure, count, and standard of contents will be made upon receipt of shipments.

Prompt compliance with this request is essential.

By authority of the officer in charge.

In view of the large number of surgical and dental instruments required,
the difficulty in securing a sufficient quantity of them, and the need for all infor-
mation concerning facilities for their production, it was found convenient to
maintain a file of manufacturers on data cards in the following form, which
were ruled on the reverse side for additional data.

PROCUREMENT 191

Manufacturers Data Card

General Purchasing Office, Medical Department

Unit F, Wing 5, Seventh and B Streets

Washington, D. C. 191

Name

Location

Number of employees, mechanics, skilled

Commercial rating (Bradst reef's)

Manufacturers of

Do drop forging

Do nickle plating

Kind of power used

How is power generated

Transportation, rail or water, and how near

Could manufacture surgical and dental instruments and equipment-

Previous dealings with government

List of machinery Reported by

The general purchasing ofliee continued to function as an agency of the
Medical Department until November 15, 1918, when it was transferred to and
became a part of the medical and hospital section of the office of the director
of purchase and storage. There it served as the agency for the termination
and adjustment of existing Medical Department contracts and the central advi-
sory agency for the purchase of medical supplies. The temporary commissioned
personnel were ultimately demobilized and the duties transferred to medical
officers of the regular establishment assigned to that duty. This personnel
handled matters relating to the disposal of surplus medical property.

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from Lieut. Col. H. C. Fisher, M. C, S. G. O., to Lieut. Col. 11. D. Snyder,

M. C, Medical Supply Depot, New York, April 25, 1917, relative to the purchase
of supplies. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. ()., 14039-20.9.

(2) Letter from Lieut. Col. H. D. Snyder, M. C, Medical Supply Depot, New York, to

Lieut. Col. H. C. Fisher, M. C, S. G. O., January 17, 1917, relative to difficulties
in procurement. Also: Letter from the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,
New York, to the Surgeon General, March 23, 1917. Subject: Medical Supplies
obtained with difficulty. Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14039. -I.

(3) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, February 10, 1917. Subject: List of important medical supplies. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14039-V.

(4) First indorsement, Surgeon General's Office, to the officer in charge, Field Medical

Supply Depot, March 7, 1917, relative to purchase of supplies. Also: Letter from
the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot, March
16, 1917. Subject: Field Medical Supplies. Also: First indorsement, Surgeon
General, to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot, January 19, 1917,
relative to purchase of supplies. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
14101-3; 14101-11; and 11101-L.

(5) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Officer in Charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, March 22, 1917. Subject: Emergency recruiting outfits, and telegram
from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

192 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

York, April 9, 1917, to assemble recruiting outfits. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. 0., 14101-7-3-8.

(6) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Secretary of War, January 9, 1917, relative to

standardization of supplies and ensuing correspondence On file, Record Room,
S. G. O., 164,108, A, B, et. seq. (Old Files).

(7) List of Staple Medical and Surgical Supplies selected to meet War Conditions by the

Committee on Standardization appointed by the Council of National Defense.
Washington, Government Printing Office, May, 1917.

(8) Laboratory apparatus and reagents: Proposed revision of par. 840, Manual for the

Medical Department, 1916. Published in pamphlet form, February 15, 1918, Sur-
geon General's Office, War Department.

(9) Letter from Lieut. Col. H. C. Fisher, M. C, S. G. O. to Lieut. Col. H. D. Snyder,

M. C. Medical Supply Depot, New York, April 5, 1917, relative to supplies. On
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14039-18.

(10) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, New York medical supply

depot, April 5, 1917. Subject: Post medical supplies for 500,000 men. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14039-20.

(11) Act of March 9, 1898 (30 Stats. 274)

(12) Act of April 17, 1917 (40 Stats. 28).

(13) First indorsement from the Adjutant General to the Surgeon General, May 10, 1917,

relative to use of national defense fund. On file, Record Room. S. G. O., 169966.

(14) First indorsement from the Surgeon General's Office, to the officer in charge, Medical

Supply Depot, New York, April 9, 1917, relative to the purchase of supplies. On
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14101.-15.-1.

(15) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Secretary of War, April 25, 1917. Subject:

Authority to incur a deficiency; and the approval of the Secretary indorsed thereon.
Received back from The Adjutant General, May 1, 1917. On file, Record Room,
S. G. O., 152,239.-6, (Old File).

(16) Indorsement, the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, and Field Medical Supply Depot, May 2, 1917, to purchase supplies.
On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 152,239.-6 (Old Files).

(17) Memorandum on Medical Department supplies prepared by Col. H. C. Fisher, M. C,

December 24, 1917. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 111.1 (f. y. 1918).

(18) Letter from the Surgeon General to Mr. Henry P. Kendall, secretary, Manufacturers

of Surgical Dressings, 70 Fifth Avenue, New York, N. Y., May 17, 1917. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14636.-22.

(19) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, May 15, 1917. Subject: Plans for the purchase of supplies for an
army of a million men. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14039-20.-12.

(20) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, May 25, 1917. Subject: Supplies for a million men. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 14039.-20.-14.

(21) Act of June 15, 1917 (40 Stats. 182).

(22) Act of Aug. 10, 1917 (40 Stats. 276).

(23) Letter from Dr. F. F. Simpson, Chief Medical Section, Council of National Defense,

to Col. C. R. Darnall, Office of the Surgeon General, December 7, 1917. Subject:
Dissolution of industrial committees of the Council of National Defense. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^^— ■•

(24) Letter from Mr. Charles J. Lynn, manager, Eli Lilley & Co., Indianapolis, Ind., to

Col. C. R. Darnall, War Department, Office of the Surgeon General, December 11,
1917, relative to pharmaceuticals. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.
442 C. J. L.

PROCUREMENT 193

(25) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, September 8, 1917. Subject: Purchase of beds. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., -g--

(26) Letter from the Surgeon General's Office, to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, June 30, 1917. Subject: Laboratory Supplies. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 14636.-53.-1.

(27) Letter from the Surgeon General's Office to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, July 17, 1917. Subject: Laboratory supplies for cantonments. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14636.-53.-1.

(28) Letter from the Surgeon General's Office to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, July 20, 1917. Subject: Laboratory supplies. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 14636.-53.-3.

(29) Letter from the Surgeon General's Office, to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, June 18, 1917. Subject: Printed copies of contracts for surgical dressings.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14039.-99.

(30) First indorsement, the Surgeon General's Office, August 7, 1917, on letter from officer

in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot, Washington, to the Surgeon General, August
3, 1917. Subject: Authority to purchase. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

S. G. O., 713 " 7 ^.

(31) Letter from the Surgeon General's Office to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply

Depot, August 28, 1917. Subject: Authorization purchase of field supplies. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — wfrj —

(32) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, September 6, 1917. Subject: Purchase of field supplies. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., .,. —

(33) Letters from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, and Field Medical Supply Depot, Washington, September 18, 1917. Subject:
Purchase of surgical instruments. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-539 713-750
126 ' 57

(34) First indorsement, the Surgeon General's Office, October 24, 1917, on letter of October

19, 1917, from the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New York. Subject:

t.. • • , ^ r, 713-539 X. Y.
Splints. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. (j. U., 19(T~248 " '

(35) First indorsement, the Surgeon General's Office, November 7, 1917, on letter of

November 5, 1917, from officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New York.

Subject: Instruments as per stock catalogue. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

a _, _ 713-539 N. Y.
S. G. O., 222

(36) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

December 31, 1917. Subject: Class I laboratory supplies. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., 1 „„ •

(37) Tentative Strength Table, for requirements and supply estimates only, corrected to

^. . . c „ ^ 750-714 S. G.
March 12, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - g _ 1() -

(38) Letter from the Surgeon General's Office to the officer in charge, Medical Supply

Depot, New York, January 10, 1918. Subject: Purchase of post supplies. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ^

30663—28 13

194 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(39) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, February 7, 1918. Subject: Part II, Schedule of Medical Supplies.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — '.„,, ■

(40) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, February 11, 1918. Subject: Schedule of Dental Supplies. On file, Finance

, a , tv • • Q r- n 713-539 N. Y. D.
and Supply Division, S. G. O., - - ,,,, — •

(41) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St.

Louis, Mo., February 2, 1918. Subject: Schedule of Veterinary Supplies. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -.„„.

(42) Letter from the Chief Surgeon A. E. F., to the Surgeon General, April 2, 1918. Sub-

ject: Automatic supply. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — .. —

(43) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, General Purchasing Office,

Medical Department, November 2, 1918. Subject: Procurement Schedule. Copy
on file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.

(44) Supply Circular No. 102, War Department, Purchase, Storage and Traffic Division,

General Staff, October 24, 1918.

(45) Office memorandum, Finance and Supply Division, January 9, 1918, relative to the

General Purchasing Office, Medical Department, U. S. A. On file, Finance and

a , tv • • a r, „ 490 Misc.
Supply Division, S. G. O., y^f

(46) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New-

York, January 14, 1918. Subject: Investigation of methods of purchasing supplies.

713—539
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — vfl~ '

(47) Memorandum for Colonel Wolfe from 1st Lieut. F. W. Lang, Sanitary Corps, N. A.,

April 18, 1918, relative to the work of the General Purchasing Office. On file,

„. , r, , t->. . . „ „ „ 490 Misc.

finance and Supply Division, 8. O. ()., — Trf~ '

CHAPTER X
INSPECTION OF SUPPLIES

Many elements enter into the inspection of supplies. Some of them can
be gauged by the skill of the inspector through the senses of sight and touch.
Color, texture, and finish can be so determined on the spot by the field inspector.
The quality of many raw materials can be so judged, particularly those entering
into textiles, brushes, brooms, and the like. For the more exact and scientific
tests, a suitably equipped laboratory is required. Whenever the inspection to
be made involves only the senses, a complete piece inspection is practicable.
If need be, every individual article may be examined. When laboratory tests
are required, inspection, as a rule, must be by sample. In many of the
laboratory tests the sample tested loses any further usefulness.

An efficient and satisfactory inspection of supplies requires a field force for
such inspections as can be made at the factory. This force will determine
color, construction, and finish. For the technical tests samples of raw materials,
semifinished products, and the finished article are sent to the laboratory. The
findings of both inspections are then consolidated and placed before the
purchasing officer.

Inspections of medical and hospital supplies involve a technical knowledge
of a wide range of articles and many commodities. A chemical analysis is
required for drugs and pharmaceuticals. Textiles, besides size, color, and finish,
call for thread count, weight, and tensile strength. Surgical dressings require,
in addition, a determination of the ash and extraneous materials, and the
absorbency. Surgical instruments require a determination of the quality and
carbon contents of the steel, the workmanship and finish. X-ray apparatus
must be given a performance test. Every other commodity or class of articles
included within the list of medical and hospital supplies has its own peculiar
requirements in the matter of inspection. Not a few of the articles require for
their complete inspection the knowledge and skill of the user as well as technical
knowledge of manufacture and test.

For many years prior to the World War, the inspection of all articles pur-
chased by the officers in charge of medical supply depots was made at the
depots, except drugs, chemicals, and reagents. Whenever medicines and
chemical agents were purchased in considerable quantities, samples were taken
at random from the deliveries and forwarded to the Surgeon General's Office.
There the labels were removed and a number attached to the container, after
which the sample was referred to the chemical laboratory at the Army Medical
School for analysis and an examination to determine whether it conformed to
the specifications under which purchased.

As the years passed and the strength of the Army increased, the analyti-
cal work devolving upon the laboratory reached such volume that it could not

195

196 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

be handled with the existing facilities. The question arose whether to enlarge
the laboratory or to establish another one. Because of the large purchases
being made at the New York medical supply depot it was decided, in 1911, to
establish a new laboratory there and to continue the one in Washington. 1
From that time on through the World War these two laboratories made exam-
inations of supplies bought by the Medical Department.

Prior to 1908 specifications for medical supplies were few and the person-
nel making the inspections were not well trained for the work, except those in
the chemical laboratory in Washington. Beginning in 1908 increasing interest
was taken in supplies and attention given to the character and quality of arti-
cles purchased. Primitive specifications or descriptions of requirements for
those articles were evolved as familiarity with them and knowledge of trade
practices increased. Practically all articles except pharmaceuticals and chemi-
cal agents were purchased according to standard sample. This method had
many advantages. Whenever an article of better quality was discovered, or
one more suitable for the purpose, it was an easy matter to substitute it as
standard sample. Subsequent purchases would conform to the new standard.
Bidders were familiar with the quality of the standard sample, knew what to
bid on, and where to secure the material. The quality required was evident
from an inspection of the article. The use of specifications in the trade for
commercial articles was then in its infancy.

The method of purchase by standard sample was satisfactory for all
articles received at the purchasing depot. Deliveries could readily be com-
pared with the standard sample or with the sample on which the purchase
was based. The method had also its disadvantages. It required of the
bidder that he see the standard sample upon which to bid. Information
concerning the size, type, and quality could not readily be transmitted to an
inspector at a distance from the depot. Even at the depot inconvenience
would arise from lack of ready access to the sample. The purchase of the
increased quantities of supplies required by the border mobilization of 1916
emphasized the disadvantages and led to increased effort in the preparation of
specifications. During those purchases the urgency of the need on the bor-
der, the large bulk of the supplies, and the scanty storage space at the
purchasing depots made necessary shipments direct from the factory to the
distributing depots and hospitals in the southern department.

With the increasing interest in supplies following 1908, it was the plan of
the Surgeon General to train medical officers of the Regular Army in the
purchase and inspection of medical and hospital supplies. The number of
officers in the whole Medical Department was so small and the demands for
their services so diverse and widespread that very few could be spared for
supply duty. One assistant each was assigned to the New York and St. Louis
depots. The other medical supply depots had none. As a result compar-
atively few officers had been so trained prior to April, 1917. Even the few
that had been trained were so urgently needed for administrative duties that
they could not be spared for inspections during the World War and other
assistance had to be found.

PROCUREMENT 197

The lack of storage and the increased cost of handling bulky materials at
the purchasing medical supply depots made it necessary that inspections be
made elsewhere, preferably at the point of manufacture. As stated above,
inspections at that point had many advantages; the raw materials and semi-
finished products could be followed through to the finished article. The
inspector would thereby be thoroughly familiar from all angles with the
articles whose qualities and conformity to contract stipulations he must judge.
Acceptances could be made on these inspections. Shipments could be made
from the factories in full confidence that the articles being forwarded wholly
met the requirements as to design, size, and quality. Only such quantities
need be received at the purchasing depot as its immediate requirements
demanded. The remainder would go direct from the factories to the camps,
distributing depots, and ports of embarkation.

The chief requirement, then, for factory inspection was a sufficient force
of technically trained inspectors. But the Medical Department did not have
such a force. Where to secure trained personnel in whose judgment and
integrity confidence could be placed was the question. Ample facilities could
be provided without difficulty for the examination of pharmaceuticals and allied
materials. It would only be necessary to expand the chemical laboratories of
the Surgeon General's Office and the New York medical supply depot. Space
was available at both places and trained personnel were not difficult to
secure.

For supplies other than pharmaceuticals an entirely different situation
presented itself. The Medical Department had no nucleus of personnel trained
in the inspection of such supplies which it could expand to meet requirements.
An entirely new inspection organization had to be built up and an efficient
inspection system developed. To locate the necessary trained personnel was
not an easy matter. It was at first thought that they could be secured from
the various industries manufacturing the classes of supplies to be purchased. 2
Inspections could be made by the job on a per diem basis. These agents could
act in the name of the supply officer, advising him whether the materials were
acceptable, and certify to the purchasing officer the quantities which conformed
to the specifications. The responsibility for the final acceptance of the mate-
rial devolved, however, upon the purchasing officer. To secure the necessary
personnel authority was granted by the Surgeon General to the three purchas-
ing depots, early in May, 1917, for the employment of personnel on a job
basis.

Meanwhile (April 11, 1917) the appraiser of the port of New York had
suggested to the Secretary of the Treasury that the services of the expert
merchandise examiners of his office might be utilized for the inspection of Army
and Navy supplies to be purchased. 3 The war in Europe had caused a marked
falling off in imports and had greatly reduced the volume of work of these
examiners. Men of all grades of the appraiser's force had volunteered for vari-
ous war activities. The appraiser was enabled thereby to retain his force and
utilize the services of his entire staff. These conditions prompted the sug-
gestion of April 11 for the use of their services in inspecting Army and Navy
supplies. 4 The Secretary of the Treasury concurred in the suggestion and

198 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

forwarded it to the Secretary of War. It came shortly afterward to the Surgeon
General, to whom the offer was most acceptable. The communication was
referred to the medical supply officer at New York for consideration, the result
of which is as follows: 5

Now the question of inspectors as referred to by you in the official comnuiciation. I
have made a provision which is absolutely fair and square, free from politics, and assuring
us the very highest class of service by the most-trained experts in the United States. If
you will recall, not very long ago, you sent me a communication addressed to your office by
the Secretary of the Treasury placing the services of the customs appraisers throughout
the United States at our disposal. This morning I interviewed the appraiser personally, and
submitted to him the whole plan of factory inspection by civilians. He is favorably inclined,
and his orgnization is not only in New York but from Los Angeles, Calif., to Portland, Me.,
and in all of the great cities. All that I will have to do is to notify him that a certain pro-
posed shipment of goods is now at a certain factory and send him the specifications of these
goods; he will then direct by telegraph the nearest expert in that particular line to proceed
to the factory and make the inspection, reporting to him by telegraph, so that the action
will be immediate. You can see for yourself what a mighty field this opens to us and will
give us the impartial judgment of Federal employees trained to the service, we to pay the
traveling expenses of these men, who are already under salary, at the rates allowed in accord-
ance with Army Regulations.

The appraiser will write me a letter and take it up at the same time with the Secretary
of the Treasury, and no doubt a most satisfactory arrangement can be made between the
Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of War, which will protect the Government.
I myself have observed in many dealings with these people that at the very mention of the
appraiser's office a great respect is produced and a fluctuation downward in prices indicated.

As I stated before, these men are the most expert in the United States, trained to con-
sider values and make adjustments and constantly called in legal matters when suits are
instituted to give a fair valuation.

When the time comes for making a contract, I would suggest to the appraiser that he
send me an expert in the line that I am dealing in, and I will take his advice in the matter
of what should be a just price for a certain article which would be in consideration with
what prices had already been previously paid and market conditions at the present time;
and I would then be able to furnish all the data thus collected to Washington for final
adjustment.

The chief of the comparative valuation report bureau in the appraiser's
office learned of the plan to call department-store buyers and executives from
civil life to serve as inspectors on Government contracts. He was convinced
that such work could be done more effectively and at less expense by examiners
from the offices of the various appraisers of merchandise. The comparative val-
uation reports bureau was to act as a central exchange and clearing house for all
such activities. 4 This led the appraiser on May 15, 1917, 3 to renew his sugges-
tion to the Secretary of the Treasury for the utilization of his force in the exam-
ination of Army supplies, applying the suggestion more particularly to the
Medical Department. This offer was transmitted May 24, 1917, to the Secre-
tary of War, approved by the Secretary of the Treasury, 6 and was formally
accepted by the Acting Secretary of War on June 9, 1917. 7

The plan proposed by the appraiser at New York contemplated that his
office would handle all matters relating to the inspection of Medical Depart-
ment supplies in all parts of the United States. The letter of the Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury to the appraiser approving the plan contained these
instructions: 8

PROCUREMENT 199

You are requested to inform Colonel Snyder that if he will cause this department to be
informed when he desires the assistance of appraising officers at other ports in passing upon
purchases in their respective vicinities such officers will be directed, so far as practicable,
to give such assistance, the expenses connected therewith to be borne by the Army.

After deliveries began to be made in considerable quantities it became diffi-
cult and inconvenient to obtain authority from the Secretary of the Treasury
each time that an inspection was desired at a point outside the port of New
York. To overcome this difficulty the Secretary of War, on June 15, 1917,
made the following proposition: 9

In view of the large quantities of medical supplies which are being purchased, it seems
probable that the Medical Department of the Army will desire to frequently avail itself of
the services of the appraisers, and information is desired as to whether it will be necessary
to take the matter up formally each time, as has been done in this instance, or whether
arrangements could be made whereby the medical officers of the Army could communicate
direct from time to time, as needed.

The Secretary of the Treasury acceded to the suggestion of the Secretary
of War and issued the following letter of instructions: 10

In view of the technical equipment of the several appraisers' offices and the peculiar
qualifications of the examiners for assisting the War and Navy Departments in passing
upon supplies which they may have to purchase, appraising officers are requested to render
such assistance to Army and Navy purchasing officers, upon their written request therefor,
as the appraising officers may be able to furnish without detriment to the usual customs
work of their respective offices.

The Secretary of War states that the extra expenses necessarily incurred in rendering
such assistance to the War Department will be borne by the proper Army appropriations
chargeable, through settlements by the respective auditors by transfers to adjust the appro-
priations involved. It is expected that a similar arrangement will be made by the Navy
Department when availing itself of the assistance of appraising officers.

Appraising officers and employees in their offices performing services hereunder will be
reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses from the customs appropriations upon
submission of proper vouchers to the collector of customs, the vouchers to have attached
thereto the letters of the Army and Navy officers requesting the services.

Upon submission of vouchers claiming reimbursement, collectors will transmit the same
to the department in the usual manner for approval. As soon as practicable after the 1st
of the month, a statement of the vouchers paid for such services during the preceding month
should be forwarded to the department, the statement to contain the voucher numbers,
name of payees, and the amounts paid.

The examiners of merchandise in making inspections of supplies for the
Medical Department incurred expenses for which they were entitled to reim-
bursement. Appropriations were available for the payment of these expenses.
To secure reimbursement the examiners at first submitted appropriate vouchers
therefor to the Surgeon General through the medical supply officer who had
requested their services. Under existing regulations these vouchers were
forwarded to the Treasury Department for payment direct to the examiner
out of the appropriation, " Medical and Hospital Department ." This procedure
resulted in prolonged delay in the receipt by the examiner of reimbursement
for the money paid out of his personal funds. It resulted in hardships and
some discontent. The procedure was soon changed so that reimbursements
were promptly made and all dissatisfaction removed."

200 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

On June 9, 1917, all purchasing medical supply depots were instructed to
avail themselves of the services of the appraiser's personnel whenever supplies
were to be accepted at point of manufacture. 12 It will be noted that the
instructions of the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury of June 29, 1917,
authorized any purchasing officer of the Army to apply directly to the nearest
appraiser for assistance in making inspections. The Assistant Secretary sug-
gested July 24, 1917, that inspections for medical supply depots be handled
through the appraiser at New York. 13 This procedure was observed thereafter
until the need for inspections ceased after the armistice was signed.

The medical supply officer and the appraiser at New York were the points
of contact and the channel of communication between the Medical Department
of the Army and the customs service of the Treasury on all matters relating to
cooperation between the two services in the inspection of supplies. An agree-
ment was reached between these two officials in the latter part of July, 1917,
for a deputy appraiser to take over the entire inspection service of the New
York medical supply depot. Under this agreement the deputy appraiser was
to establish an office in the supply depot, handle local and distant inspections,
and utilize the appraiser's force according to his best judgement. 14

As purchases of supplies and volume of deliveries increased, it became nec-
essary for the New York depot to organize a department of its own to handle
other matters relating to inspections. The deputy appraiser's office returned
to the appraiser's building in New York just across the street from the medical
supply depot. The officer in charge of the inspection department in the depot,
thereafter, arranged with the appraiser's service for the inspections.

In this manner there was placed at the disposal of the Medical Department
for the inspection of its supplies the services of a large body of highly trained
technical personnel. The services of this force were entirely satisfactory
throughout the period during which they were rendered and were of the high-
est value. This personnel had experts with special knowledge of the composi-
tion, values, and manufacturing processes of various commodities, an expert
for every commodity. In addition the appraisers' stores were equipped with
chemical laboratories, conditioning rooms, apparatus for determining the weights
of yarn, counts of yarn, number of threads to the inch in fabrics, and facilities
for making various examinations. There were also available analysts and
technical experts of various other lines. On notice from the depots and the
contractors, the chief appraiser at New York was able to send highly trained
examiners from the office of the appraisers nearest to the place of manufacture
to the factories. These men inspected the raw material, the process of manu-
facture under which the purchase was made, and the finished articles. As they
made their inspection they certified with a stamp or label such articles and
containers as conformed to the requirements of the contracts. They checked
deliveries and made reports of acceptance or rejections to guide the purchasing
officers in their final action. 4

The volume of inspection at first required was comparatively small; but
as deliveries began to increase in volume in the fall of 1917, the number of
examinations to be made rapidly increased. This called for a corresponding
increase in the number of appraisers assigned to duty as inspectors. The force

PROCTJBEMENT 20 1

of inspectors greatly increased until at the time the armistice was signed it
numbered about 150 men, of the appraisers' force, operating from nearly all the
ports. 4 Many of these men were on full duty on these inspections; others gave
only part time. The custom of selecting inspectors, as far as practicable, from
the port nearest the place of manufacture for the necessary examinations
continued throughout the war. Inspections were made in nearly every State.
They covered merchandise of a very wide range of articles. The inspections
included surgical instruments, clinical thermometers, operating-room equipment,
chemical glassware, artificial limbs, soaps, and foodstuffs. They also included
mattresses, beds and bedding, operating gowns, sutures, surgical dressings,
surgical and dental instruments, wooden and glass ware, paper, and a great
variety of other articles. 4

Such technical examinations as could not be made by the inspector in the
field were made at the laboratory at the appraiser's warehouse in New York,
where the chief chemist had charge of the work. There, specifications were
developed and methods of examinations standardized. Manufacturing processes
were studied and improvements suggested wherever practicable. 4

The services of the customs inspectors were utilized to the fullest extent in
all purchases made by the medioal supply depot at New York, from the very
beginning of the war. The purchasing officers at the other depots were author-
ized and instructed to avail themselves of the facilities of the Treasury Depart-
ment in the making of inspections on the articles being purchased by them.
For many months the other depots availed themselves to a very limited
extent of these facilities except in the inspections of surgical gauze. As the
number and extent of inspections required were swelled by the ever-rising vol-
ume of supplies being purchased, it was considered desirable to utilize the
services of the appraisers for all purchases except pharmaceuticals. Accord-
ingly instructions were issued to that effect August 17, 1918. 15 The purchasing
agencies of the Medical Department were instructed to forward to the Surgeon
General's Office an additional copy of all contracts placed by them. These
copies were then sent to the New York depot for use of the examiners of the
appraisers' service. 16 The inspection department of that depot, thereafter, had
charge of inspection made for other depots as well as its own. In a number of
contracts, purchase was made by sample, and inspections could not be made with-
out the sample or adequate specifications. Samples were sent to the appraisers'
laboratory, where specifications were prepared for them, upon which inspection
could be made at the place of production. By the time the armistice
was signed the appraisers' service had developed working specifications for
a majority of the articles purchased by the Medical Department. These
specifications, while many of them were not ideal, provided satisfactory mate-
rials for the period.

In the inspection of laboratory apparatus and instruments of precision a
somewhat different procedure obtained. During 1918 these were purchased
at the field medical supply depot, Washington. Because of the proximity of
that depot to the United States Bureau of Standards, final determination
of articles of these classes were made by the bureau. 17 The facilities of the

202 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

bureau were available, and its examinations were accepted as final in all dis-
putes. Its facilities were the most complete of any laboratory in the United
States and the Medical Department had for many years availed itself of them.
The officer in charge of the Washington depot also was thoroughly familiar
with apparatus of those types of supplies.

For the inspection of motor ambulances units of highly trained personnel
were developed and assigned to the establishments manufacturing the bodies
and assembling the chassis. These units followed the production through all the
manufacturing processes in the body factories and the assembling processes at
the chassis factory. The personnel of these units were utilized in the inspec-
tion of litters and held litter carriers manufactured at the same plants or in
their vicinity.

It has already been noted that the Aledical Department at the begin-
ning of 1917, had two chemical laboratories devoted to the examination of
drugs, medicines, and antiseptics. The facilities of these laboratories, while
limited, had been ample for all the examinations devolving upon them in time
of peace. It was expected, in making plans early in 1917, to expand these
facilities by the addition of such chemists, skilled in pharmaceutical analysis,
as might he necessary. The laboratory space was limited in both of them.
The expansion of personnel did not keep pace with the rising tide of supplies
to be examined. The work began to lag. Examinations fell behind the receipt
of supplies. Prolonged delays in the acceptance of supplies delivered were
common because of failure to receive reports from the laboratories.

The volume of work kept on increasing, and it became evident in the spring
of 1918 that measures must be taken to increase these facilities and to speed
up the examinations. Accordingly instructions were sent to the New York depot
in May to investigate the possibilities of having the examination of pharmaceu-
tical products made at the point of manufacture and elsewhere by the United
States appraisers. 18 If such examinations could be made at places of manufac-
ture some time might be saved in the acceptance of the supplies. While the
appraisers' laboratory at New York was equipped for chemical analysis, the
plan for inspections in the field was finally discarded in favor of expansion
of existing facilities. It appeared logical to take advantage of the knowledge
of the heads of the established Medical Department laboratories, and to increase
the number of assistants in them. The knowledge of the men in charge of those
laboratories was highly technical, had been gained by years of experience, and
could not be duplicated in any other establishment. 19

The average analytical chemist has little or no knowledge of pharmaceu-
ticals, and as this country has never been an importer of pharmaceuticals, it is
fair to assume that the United States appraisers' chemists have had little or no
experience in handling pharmaceuticals. They could assay straight chemicals,
of course, but when tablets, ointments, etc., were presented to them, they could
not possibly make an intelligent decision unless the chemist handling such items
had had special pharmaceutical training, either in the Government laboratories
or in the laboratories of some large pharmaceutical manufacturer. 19

Considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining drugs, chemicals, and
pharmaceuticals of a quality sufficient to pass the standard requirements.

PEOCUEEMENT 203

Inexperienced new manufacturers, lured by the immense quantities required
and the fancied profits in them, were undertaking to make various chemical
and pharmaceutical compounds. Old established firms were making products
with the processes with which they were unfamiliar. It was considered
necessary to call for preliminary samples from the successful bidders before
award was made in order to determine their abilities to produce articles of the
required standard. These preliminary samples, if found satisfactory, were
considered in comparison with samples taken from deliveries. These prelimi-
nary examinations added greatly to the amount of analytical work required at
the laboratories. 19

The testing of pharmaceuticals to he shipped direct to ports of embarkation
introduced another difficult problem. Here the time element was short because
of the urgency of the demand. The examination of preliminary samples
reduced the likelihood of unsuitable materials being shipped but could not
eliminate the need for other tests just before shipments were made. If unsat-
isfactory materials were delivered the mistake would be detected and the use
of the medicine could be prevented by cable to the medical supply depot
in France. 19

It was decided, therefore, to expand the existing laboratories at Washington
and New York and to employ additional chemists. Appropriate instructions
were issued. The officer in charge of the New York depot reported that there
would be no difficulty in enlarging the laboratory space and in providing clerical
personnel. 20 Five enlisted men, classified as analytical or pharmaceutical chem-
ists, were ordered to the laboratory at the New York depot and a corresponding
number to the laboratory in Washington in June, 1918. While nothing was
known of the technical abilities of these men, it was thought that from them a
sufficient number could be selected to handle the work in a satisfactory manner. 21

This expansion of existing laboratories gave relief and met the requirements
for a limited time. But the flood of examinations required kept steadily rising,
and the facilities failed to meet the demand with celerity. Delays in deliveries
of medicines, because of the inadequacy of laboratory facilities, began to
increase. 22 In August relief from this situation became necessary. It was
thought that colleges of pharmacy and other laboratories in various cities
might be able and willing to do this work. Instructions were sent August 7,
1918, to the officers in charge of the medical supply depots at Atlanta, Chicago,
Philadelphia, and St. Louis to communicate with reputable colleges of pharmacy
located in those cities and to arrange with one or more of them to examine
samples of pharmaceuticals. If satisfactory arrangements could be made with
such colleges, samples of medicines delivered at these depots were to be sent to
them. Reports of the examinations were to be sent directly to the depot
submitting the sample. 23 At this time all medicines were purchased by the
general purchasing office, Medical Department, in Washington, and all ship-
ments were made to distributing depots direct from the manufacturer without
examination. Examinations and acceptances were made after arrival of the
shipment at destination. The receiving depot accepted the articles if the
examinations warranted it, took up the property on the depot return, and for-
warded a formal acknowledgment to the Surgeon General's Office, which served

204 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

as the basis for payment. Hence the need for the receiving depot to receive
reports of examination as promptly as possible.

Favorable reports were received from Philadelphia, 24 Chicago, 26 and
St. Louis. 26 The college of pharmacy in Atlanta was unable to undertake the
work. 27 The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pa.; the
University of Illinois School of Pharmacy, Chicago, 111.; and the St. Louis
College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Mo., all readily agreed to undertake this
work. The former two colleges preferred to do the work gratuitously, while
the latter agreed to do it at a small flat rate. As none of the schools were in
session until September, the plan was not put into effect until the first of that
month. 2S In Chicago the local branch of the Bureau of Chemistry, Department
of Agriculture, was willing and rather anxious to assist in this work. 25 Authority
was given August 28, 1918, the medical supply depots at Chicago, Philadelphia,
and St. Louis to have examinations of medicines received on direct shipments
from the manufacturers made at the local institutions with which the arrange-
ments had been made. They were instructed, however, to send a sample to
the laboratory at New York or Washington for a confirmatory examination
when the local report rejected the sample. The findings of those laboratories
determined the final action in the premises.

In the matter of inspection of its supplies throughout the war the Medical
Department was exceedingly fortunate in having an adequate force of highly
efficient inspectors. While in many articles it was necessary to lower the
peace-time standards or to change them entirely, the articles received conformed
to the stipulations of the contracts under which they were purchased. The
wording of these stipulations, too, was improved and made more clear and
definite through the suggestion and cooperation of the inspectors. A high
standard of production was continually maintained. Much of the credit of
this is due to the system of inspection employed. The interests of the
Government were well protected.

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from Capt. D. W. Fetterolf, M. C, Army Medical School, Washington D. C,

to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, March 25, 1927. Subject: Establishment and oper-
ation of the medical laboratory at the New York Medical Supply Depot. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — .'„.,„ —

(2) Letters from the Surgeon General to the officers in charge, Medical Supply Depots,

Washington, St. Louis, and San Francisco, May 9, 1917. Subject: Inspection of
supplies. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 19374-38-A. B. C.

(3) Letter from the Appraiser of Merchandise, port of New York, N. Y., to the Secretary

of the Treasury, May 15, 1917, relative to cooperation between the merchandise
examiners of his office and the Army and Navy, in inspection of supplies. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 181-500-a.

(4) Report of the appraiser's activities, port of New York, during the war period, furnished

the Secretary of the Treasury, April 1917, by Henry F. Bush, Inspector of Customs,

New York, N. Y. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 7S3 ~^? t ' Y '

PROCUREMENT 205

(5) Letter from Lieut. Col. H. D. Snyder, M. C, New York, N. Y., to Lieut. Col. H. C.

Fisher, M. C, Surgeon General's Office, Washington, D. C, May 12, 1917, relative
to inspectors for medical and hospital supplies. On file, Finance and Supply Divi-
sion, S. G. ()., 14374.

(6) Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Secretary of War, May 24, 1917,

transmitting correspondence from the appraisers of merchandise, New York. On
file, Record Room, S. G. O., 181000 (Old Files).

(7) Letter from the Acting Secretary of War to the Secretary of the Treasury, June 9, 1917,

formally accepting the offer of assistance by the inspectors of merchandise in the
customs service. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 1S1000-C (Old Files).

(8) Letter from the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury to the appraisers of merchandise,

New York, N. Y., May 24, 1917, relative to assistance to be rendered to the Medical
Supply Depot, New York, by the merchandise examiners in the appraiser's office.
On file, Record Room, S. G. 6., 181000-b (Old Files).

(9) Letter from the Secretary of War to the Secretary of the Treasury, June 15, 1917,

relative to examination of medical and hospital supplies by examiners of the
appraisers' service. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 181000-h (Old Files).

(10) Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, June 29, 1917, to the collectors of customs

and appraisers of merchandise, relative to the assistance of merchandise examiners
of the appraisers' offices in inspecting supplies for the Medical Department. On
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 11640.

(11) Correspondence between the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New York, the

Surgeon General of the Army, and the Auditor for the War Department, September
18, 1917, to October 29, 1917, inclusive. Subject: Accounts for traveling expenses
of customs inspectors. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 181000-M to V, inch, (Old
Files).

(12) Letters from the Surgeon General to the officers in charge, Medical Supply Depots,

New York, Washington, St. Louis, and San Fransisco, June 9, 1917. Subject:
Inspection of supplies purchased. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 18100-E, F, G,
H (Old Files).

(13) Letter from the Assistant Secretary of the Treasurj- to the Secretary of War, July 24,

1917, relative to inspection of medical and hospital supplies by examiners of the
appraisers' service. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 181000 J-l (Old Files).

(14) Letter from the medical supply officer, Medical Supply Depot, New York, to the Sur-

geon General, July 30, 1917. Subject: Inspectors for the medical supply depot.
On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 181000-k (Old Files).

(15) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officers in charge, Medical Supply Depots, St.

Louis, Washington, August 15, 1918. Subject: Copies of contracts for inspection

713—539
system. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — _„.. —

(16) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, D. C, October 9, 1918. Subject: Specifications for mess and cooks'

chests. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ~ir)20 —

(17) Letter from the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot, Washington, D. C, to

the Surgeon General, October 31, 1918. Subject: Inspection of supplies. On

fi , T ,. , Q , tv ■ • a n n 713-7 50 Wash.
file, finance and Supply Division, S. Lr. O., vqtt

(18) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, May 11, 1918. Subject: Inspection of medical supplies by Treasury

713-539
inspectors. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ~ggg —

206 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(19) Memorandum for Colonel Darnall from Capt. Frank L. McCartney, S. C, General

Purchasing Office, Medical Department, May 29, 1918. Subject: Inspection of
drugs by the U. S. appraisers. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-539 N. Y.
656

(20) Letter from the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New York, to the Surgeon

General, June 7, 1918. Subject: Inspection of drugs. On file, Finance and Supply

t^. . . q „ „ 713-539 N. Y.

Division, S. G. O., w^s

606

(21) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New-

York, June 13, 1918. Subject: Inspection of drugs. On file, Finance and Supply

^. . . Q „ -. 713-539 N. Y.

Division, S. G. O., s -_„

bob

(22) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

St. Louis, August 7, 1918. Subject: Examination of medicines and antiseptics.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^.g— •

(23) Letters from the Surgeon General to the officers in charge, Medical Supply Depots,

Atlanta, Ga., Chicago, 111., Philadelphia, Pa., June 7, 1918. Subject: Examination

of drugs. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ''

69

(24) Letter from the medical supply officer, Philadelphia, Pa., to the Surgeon General,

August 12, 1918. Subject: Examination of drugs. On file, Finance and Supply

t-.. • • r, ,-, „ 713-Misc.

Division, S. G. O., wr,

09

(25) Letter from the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, Chicago, 111., to the Surgeon

General, August 24, 1918. Subject: Examination of drugs. On file, Finance and

c. i t->- • • c. /-i ^ 713-Misc.
Supply Division, S. G. O., r, q

(26) Letter from the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St. Louis, Mo., to the Surgeon

General, September 4, 1918. Subject: Examination of medicines and antiseptics.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 713 " 6 q I ' SC '

(27) Letter from the medical supply officer, Medical Supply Depot, Atlanta, Ga., to the

Surgeon General, August 15, 1918. Subject: Examination of drugs. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — T-q 1 — '•

(28) Letters from the Surgeon General to the officers in charge, Medical Supply Depots,

Philadelphia, Pa., and Chicago, III., August 28, 1918. Subject: Examination of

medicines. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Tl^Z^^L.

CHAPTER XI
CONSOLIDATION OF PROCUREMENT

At the declaration of war on April 6, 1917, there were live supply bureaus-
Ordnance, Quartermaster, Medical, Engineer, and Signal Corps. The last
bureau developed an aviation section which ultimately became independent
and had its own supply functions. 1 The aviation section later became the
Bureau of Military Aeronautics. As advances were made in the military and
its various allied sciences, the articles on the list furnisbed by each supply
bureau increased in number, variety, and complexity. Each supply bureau
was deeply concerned for the successful accomplishment of its mission, believing
that upon the success of all the supply bureaus taken together depended to no
small extent the ultimate success of the military operations. Each supply
bureau understood the responsibility placed upon it in the military program,
appreciated the authority accorded it for the performance of its mission, and
endeavored to administer its functions wisely and effectually. A century of
development and of experience had amply demonstrated the efficiency of this
principle and the wisdom of its application.

As the industry of the country developed, manufacture specialized more
and more upon particular articles and groups of articles, which came in the
course of events to be called commodities. These commodities were classified
in various ways. Some were classified according to the raw materials from
which the articles were made. Some derived their classification from the uses
for which the articles were intended. The finished product might involve in
the process of manufacture raw materials included in more than one classifica-
tion. All of the supply departments required iron and steel products, textiles,
wooden materials, and chemicals of some sort in varying quantities. Leather,
rubber, and the nonferrous metals were required to a lesser extent but were,
nevertheless, important commodities. Iron and steel and their products were
required in enormous quantities, whether for cannon, arms, shells, machines,
heating apparatus, plumbing supplies, cooking apparatus, hand tools, motor
vehicles, hospital equipment, surgical instruments, or wire for field telegraph
lines. Every phase of military activity demanded a share. Textiles were of only
slightly less importance. The Ordnance Department required cotton fabrics,
such as duck or canvas for the pack equipment of the soldier. The Quarter-
master Department required them for tents, paulins, wagon covers, and other
purposes, w r hile the Medical Department required duck for litters, for cases for
surgical instruments, and for cases for blankets and bedding. Sheets, pillow
cases, and blankets were required by both the Medical and the Quartermaster
Departments. Galvanized-iron buckets served such a variety of purposes that
they were supplied, in some measure, by practically every supply department.
Each such department had a particular use for this bucket and purchased
according to its particular needs. A similar condition obtained along many

207

208 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

other lines. Each supply bureau purchased, for the most part, all the articles
needed for the effectual performance of the function assigned to it by law and
regulations. This method of purchase was said to be by "function." Appro-
priations were made by Congress for the specific purposes stated in the language
of the grant. There were appropriations for the Quartermaster Department,
the Signal Corps, the Medical Department, the Ordnance Department, and the
Engineer Corps. Appropriations, therefore, were made according to function,
apparently on the assumption that with responsibility should go authority and
the means of accomplishment. Such an assumption seems logical and sound.

A rise in prices is inevitable under war conditions. Many factors influence
the rise, such as shortages of raw materials and labor, transportation difficul-
ties, financial conditions, the general uncertainty, the reorganization of industry.

As the year 1917 drew near to its close industry was everwhere hampered
by delinquencies in rail transportation and by shortages of fuel. Raw mate-
rials were received at the factories with increasing difficulty. Delays were
experienced in delivering the finished articles. Ships were not available to
transport to France the great mass of supplies intended for overseas shipment.
Storage space for those supplies was almost unobtainable. The congestion
along the Atlantic seaboard increased to such an extent that it was difficult to
get trains in and out of the ports. Conditions were rapidly reaching a climax.
Instructions were received by the supply bureaus to curtail production. Early
in January, 1918, the United States Railroad, Fuel, and Food Administrations
came into active being and were followed shortly by the Labor Administration. 2
The War Industries Board was rapidly extending its control to all industry. 3

The representatives of industry on the War Industries Board had been
accustomed, in civil life, to thinking of industry in terms of commodities. In
their control of industry they dealt with it on a commodity basis. They were
closely associated with the purchasing service created in the War Department
early in January, 1918, "to provide for the proper coordination of the procure-
ment activities of the several supply branches of the Army." 4 It was not long
before the conception that procurement of supplies for the Army should be
placed on a commodity basis gained general acceptance in that service. Under
this conception all purchases of a commodity would be made by a single agency.
If more than one supply bureau purchased the same or similar articles, the
requirements of all bureaus for that article would be consolidated and the
purchase of the total quantities made by one bureau. When the articles were
ready for delivery they were to be distributed to the several bureaus needing
them in accordance with their respective needs. The purchase by several
supply bureaus of the same or similar articles was not regarded as economical
or good business practice. Purchase "by function" came into disfavor.

On January 21, 1918, the director of purchases submitted to the several
supply bureaus a partial list of articles purchased by more than one supply
bureau of the War Department with the following statement: 5

It seems very advisable to concentrate the buying as much as possible within depart-
ments in order to avoid competition in Government purchases and to secure the most
efficient administration. This matter has been brought to the attention of the Secretary of
War and he approves the policy of centralizing the purchase in so far as practicable.

PROCUREMENT 209

Suggestions were requested concerning the articles which each supply
bureau thought it should purchase and those which should be procured by other
bureaus. To this request the Surgeon General replied, under date of January
23, as follows: 5

1. It is believed that the principle of centralizing purchases of the general departments
is sound and should be followed in all cases where its application does not interfere with the
efficient administration of the departments concerned.

2. On the other hand, if the methods employed are so complicated or the organization
so cumbersome as to cause delay in the procurement of supplies, centralization might para-
lyze the functions of the several departments and lead to disaster.

3. It is suggested that in these cases where one department undertakes to procure
supplies for another department it confine itself to negotiating the purchase; that it make
the preliminary arrangements, such as asking for quotations, recommending award, etc., but
that the actual placing of the order, making the contract, and paying for the supplies be
done by the department requesting the procurement.

For example: It having been agreed that all blankets for the use of the Army are to be
procured by the Quartermaster's Department, suppose the Medical Department requires
100,000 hospital blankets. A request would be sent to the Quartermaster's Department
to procure for the Medical Department 100,000 blankets of certain dimensions, weight,
composition, color, etc. The place of delivery, rate of delivery, method of packing, etc.,
would also be stated in the request.

The Quartermaster's Department wotdd invite quotations, analyze the proposals, and
recommend to the Medical Department that the order for the blankets be placed with the
Blank Woolen Mills at a certain price. The Medical Department would then make the
contract with the Blank Woolen Mills for the blankets and the Quartermaster's Department
would have nothing further to do with the transaction.

If the method suggested is adopted there need be no transfer of funds between depart-
ments, and the additional clerical work involved would be kept at a minimum.

4. As regards the list attached to this memorandum, it is presumed that it is given
merely as an exhibit showing certain articles now being purchased by two or more depart-
ments and not a complete list of such articles.

5. It is to be understood that the Medical Department would be opposed to having
any of its technical or professional equipment or supplies procured by or through any other
department or agency whatsoever.

For instance, in this list appears the item "electrical material," but the Medical
Department would not be willing to have its X-ray apparatus procured by the Signal Corps
or the Chief of Engineers.

The Surgeon General accepted centralization of procurement as an expe-
dient to meet a difficult situation. Already he had established a central
purchasing office for the Medical Department designed to take over the
purchase of all medical and hospital supplies as rapidly as the organization
and operative machinery could be developed. It was intended that this
central purchasing office take up, first, the purchase of drugs, medicines, and
chemicals; second, surgical dressings; third, surgical instruments; and after
that hospital supplies in an increasing number of articles.

The subject of consolidation of procurement was energetically pursued.
Frequent conferences were held at which various steps in the procedure were
discussed by representatives of the supply bureaus and others. Decision was
reached in April, 1918, to make procurement by commodity and to consolidate
the procurement of each commodity in some one of the supply bureaus. The
general principles of this consolidation by that time were fairly complete;
30663—28 14

210 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

only the details remained to be worked out. The general principles governing
the consolidation of procurement and the rules of procedure were published to
the Army in the following Supply Circular:

Supply Circular Xo. 2.

War Department,
Purchase, Storage and Traffic Division, General Staff,

Purchase and Supply Branch,

Washington, May 8, 1918.
Subject: Consolidation of procurement.

1. Whenever it shall be decided to consolidate tinder one bureau the procurement of
any article or material now being procured by more than one supply bureau of the War
Department, the following general instructions shall govern in such consolidation:

(a) Each supply bureau will continue to issue to the service the same articles as
heretofore, these articles being delivered to it by the procuring bureau for such issue.

(6) Each issuing bureau will continue to be responsible for the determination of
requirements for such articles.

(c) Each issuing bureau will continue to be responsible for the designs and specifications
for such articles.

(d) Where the issuing is not the procuring bureau, the former shall make procurement
requisition on the latter for its requirement, at the same time making transfer to the
procuring bureau of the estimated amount of funds required for the purpose.

(e) In accordance with such procurement requisition, the procuring bureau will be
solely responsible for making purchases, following production, conducting inspection, and
making acceptance of and payment for the articles placed in its charge.

(/) While the issuing bureau will be responsible for designs and specifications, the
procuring bureau will be charged with the duty of scrutinizing all such designs and
specifications for the purpose of effecting to the maximum extent possible or desirable
standardization of equipment, reductions in the number of types, adaptations of standard
articles for special purposes, interchangeability of parts, etc. The procuring bureau will
make recommendations to the issuing bureaus along these lines, or to the director of
purchase, storage, and traffic for his action when desirable or necessary; but the procuring
bureau shall not on its own initiative change plans or specifications or deviate therefrom
without the consent of the issuing bureau or of superior authority.

(g) By arrangement with the procuring bureau the issuing bureau may make examina-
tion of articles under production to satisfy itself that designs and specifications are being
satisfactorily complied with.

(h) The procuring bureau shall furnish estimates of cost upon request. It shall also
make periodical reports of purchases made, production accomplished, and of estimated
future production.

(i) Articles shall be delivered by the procuring bureau to the issuing bureau at the
point of completion or at a designated delivery point. The procuring bureau will retain
control of all shipments of components or materials until the completion of the article called
for by the procurement requisition. Other arragements as to delivery may be effected by
special agreement between the procuring and the issuing bureaus.

(j) Procurement requisitions shall give the number or quantity desired, required rates
and times of delivery, delivery point, amount of funds transferred, and appropriations
involved. They shall be accompanied by drawings and specifications sufficiently detailed
and complete to serve as a basis for the purchasing, production, and inspection work. The
procurement requisitions shall also set forth, if the drawings and specifications are not in
themselves sufficient, any pertinent and useful or necessary information, such as the serv-
ice requirements to be met, to enable the procurement work to be properly and efficiently
performed.

PISOCmEMEXT 211

(k) Existing contracts shall not be affected by any consolidation of procurement, except
in so far as can be worked out satisfactorily by mutual arrangement between the issuing
and the procuring bureaus. An endeavor should be made in all cases to transfer to the
designated procuring bureau as much of the production and inspection work on existing
contracts as can be satisfactorily taken over to minimize as much as possible the duplica-
tions of such work up to the time that existing contracts run out.

2. The procuring bureau for each article or class of articles which it may be decided
to consolidate under one bureau will be designated by the office of the director of purchase,
storage, and traffic in separate enacting supply circulars to be isssued hereafter. Such sup-
ply circulars will make reference to this supply circular, which prescribes the general
principles and instructions to be followed in these consolidations.

3. In special cases exceptions to specific provisions of this supply circular may be
made in enacting circulars in dealing with particular articles, and, in other special cases,
the consolidation effected may be partial and not include every supply bureau. In all such
cases the instructions of this circular shall govern all supply bureaus except where provisions
of this circular or particular bureaus are specifically excepted.

4. Upon the issuance of circulars designating procuring bureaus for given articles each
issuing bureau shall submit to the designated procuring bureau a list of personnel, if any,
engaged in the purchase, production, and inspection of such articles in order that proper
recommendations may be made by the procuring bureau for the necessary transfers of per-
sonnel to handle the consolidated work.

5. Nothing in this circular shall be construed to affect any orders or instructions issued
by the commanding general A. E. F., but otherwise provisions of this circular are for the
guidance of the supply bureaus of the War Department.

By authority of the Secretary of War:

Geo. W. Goethai.s,
Major General, Assistant Chief of Staff,
Director of Purchase, Storage and Traffic.

Following the publication of this circular the details of consolidation were
discussed. Consideration was given to the articles to be consolidated and to
the ways and means of effecting: that consolidation. Conferences on the pur-
chase of supplies became a matter of daily occurrence. 6 Commodity after
commodity was considered and the final decision published in supply circulars,
of which 58 dealt with consolidation of procurement. Of these particular cir-
culars, 12 were issued in May, 8 in June, 28 in July, 6 in August, and 4 in
September, 1918. 7 Ciretdars Nos. 3 and 44 are here quoted as examples. It
will be noted in these circulars that certain exceptions were permitted under
special conditions. The extent to which such "exceptions" could be used may
be gathered from Supply Circular No. 74, also quoted below.

Supply Circular No. 3.

War Department,
Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff,

Purchase and Supply Branch,

Washington, May 11, 1918.
Subject: Consolidation of procurement — Enacting circular — Burlap and jute, cotton goods,
woolen goods.

1. In accordance with the terms of Supply Circular No. 2, dated May 8, 1918, "Con-
solidation of procurement," except as modified herein, on and after June 10, 1918, the
Quartermaster Corps shall have sole charge for the Arm}' of making all purchases, fol-
lowing production, conducting inspection, and making acceptance of and payment for the
following:

212 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

2. All cotton yarns, all cotton fabrics, all scoured and unscoured wool, wool yarns and
woolen fabrics, all jute yarns and jute or burlap fabrics, all equipment fabricated from one
or more of the above materials together with metal parts, cotton and linen thread that are
used in connection with the manufacturer of the completed articles.

3. Exceptions to the above are:

(a) The Bureau of Aircraft Production shall continue, as heretofore, to have complete
charge of the procurement of airplane and balloon cloths.

(6) The Bureau of Aircraft Production shall continue, as heretofore, to have complete
charge of the procurement of aviators' clothing and component parts thereof until such
time as the specifications for these articles become standardized. When this point of
sufficient standardization shall have been reached, the procurement of these articles shall
be transferred to the Quartermaster Corps.

(c) The Medical Department shall have complete control of the distribution and fin-
ishing of all gray goods which go into the manufacture of surgical dressings, the gray goods
themselves to be procured by the Quartermaster Corps in accordance with Supply Circular
No. 2.

(d) The Gas Defense Service of the Medical Department shall continue, as heretofore, to
have complete charge of the procurement of the fine cotton fabric which is used in the
manufacture of gas masks.

4. With the exceptions described in paragraph 3 above, the Quartermaster Corps will
be charged with the responsibility of finishing, printing, bleaching, waterproofing, dyeing,
or otherwise treating all fabrics mentioned above.

5. It is the intent of this order to cover the procurement of all articles made of cotton,
wool, or jute, whether they are to be used as components or as articles of issue to the troops.
It is therefore directed that all components such as wagon covers, gun covers, paulins, etc.,
be procured by the Quartermaster Corps, except as may be modified by mutual agreement
between the issuing and procuring bureaus and approved by the director of purchase,
storage, and traffic.

By authority of the Secretary of War:

Geo. W. Goethals,
Major General, Assistant Chief of Staff,
Director of Purchase, Storage, and Traffic.

Supply Circular No. 44.

War Department,
Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff,

Purchase and Supply Branch,

Washington, July ft, 191S.
Subject: Consolidation of procurement — Thermometers, clocks, watches, gauges, barometers,
and compasses.

1. In accordance with the terms of Supply Circular No. 2, dated May 8, 1916,
"Consolidation of procurement," except as herein modified, on and after August 1, 1918, the
Bureau of Aircraft Production shall have sole charge for the Army of making all purchases,
following production, conducting inspection, and making acceptance of and payment for all
barometers, clocks, watches, gauges (oil, air, and gasoline), thermometers, and compasses,
except as may be modified by mutual agreement between the issuing and the procuring
bureaus and approved by the director of purchase, storage, and traffic.

2. The exceptions to the above are:

(a) The Medical Department shall continue, as heretofore, to have complete charge of
the procurement of the special thermometers used by them.

(6) The Ordnance Department shall continue, as heretofore, to have complete charge of
the procurement of time-interval recorders or stop watches.
By authority of the Secretary of War:

Geo. W. Goethals,
Major General, Assistant Chief of Staff,
Director of Purchase, Storage and Traffic.

PROCUREMENT 213

Supply Circular No. 74.

War Department,

Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff,

Purchase and Supply Branch,

Washington, August 9, 1918.
Subject: Exceptions to consolidations of procurement — Consultation with designated procur-
ing bureau in respect of proposed orders to manufacturers.

1. In working out the details of consolidation of procurement of articles and materials
or classes of articles and materials, it has been found impracticable and inexpedient to effect
immediately complete consolidations in certain cases, and therefore necessary to make in
these cases either permanent or temporary exceptions in enacting circulars or similar excep-
tions by properly approved arrangements by mutual agreement of the supply bureaus con-
cerned. However, the elimination of competition in the market between different War
Department agencies and the coordination of all the War Department's procurement of any
given class of articles or materials are so important that they must be secured also in those
cases where complete consolidation has been impracticable or inexpedient at the present time.

2. It is therefore directed that in all cases of consolidation of procurement the supply
bureau in whose favor an exception is made in an enacting circular or by approved mutual
agreement shall take up with the designated procuring bureau by written communication
or by telephone or personal conference confirmed by memorandum, before orders are placed,
each proposed purchase or schedule of purchases exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in
money value, of articles or materials covered in general by the consolidation, in respect of
the manufacturers with whom it is proposed to place such orders. If any disagreement
arises as to the advisability of placing such orders with particular manufacturers, the two
bureaus interested shall attempt to compose the disagreement and arrive at a mutually satis-
factory arrangement; if such disagreement can not be mutually composed, it shall be
promptly referred to the office of the director of purchase, storage, and traffic for decision.

3. The foregoing instructions supersede all previous instructions issued on this subject by
any bureau of the War Department.

By authority of the Secretary of War:

Geo. W. Goethals,
Major General, Assistant Chief of Staff,
Director of Purchase, Storage, and Traffic.

In preparing the supply circulars covering consolidation of procurement it
was customary for the representatives of the supply bureaus to meet in the
office of the director of purchases and supplies for consideration of the particular
commodity. At these conferences the commodities to be consolidated were
presented and considered. After discussion, a draft of the proposed circular
was submitted to the several supply bureaus for approval or comment. If any
bureau did not approve the consolidation, the chief thereof presented his
objections and the reasons for them in writing. After a consideration of
reports from the chiefs of the several supply bureaus, decision was reached
whether the consolidation would be effected. The objections by the chief of
a supply bureau to a proposed consolidation were not always sustained; for
example, the Medical Department strongly objected to the consolidation of
microscopes for procurement by another supply bureau, but the objection was
not sustained. 8 A similar fate met the protest against the purchase by another
bureau of oxygen and nitrous oxide for anesthesia and for the treatment of
the sick. 9 The gases required for such purposes must be exceptionally pure,
whereas those for commercial purposes may admit of a considerable amount
of impurities without interfering with the efficacy of the gas. The rules

214 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

promulgated for the guidance of these conferences on consolidation of procure-
ment appear below. Previous instructions along; similar lines promulgated
May 10, 1918, did not provide for the submission of the proposed circulars to
the chiefs of bureaus for consideration prior to their issue.

memorandum

June 14, 1918
To: All liaison officers.
From: Maj. C. F. Cook.
Subject: Consolidation of procurement.

1. On account of slight misunderstandings which seem to occur over both the general
and detail questions of consolidation of procurement of articles under the various "supply
bureaus," the following brief outline of the procedure followed in determining consolidations
is stated for the general information of the liaison officers, their assistants, and the represent-
atives of the various bureaus attending the consolidation of procurement meetings.

a. The commodities to be considered are determined by the director of purchases and
supplies.

b. Meetings are held in this office on the various commodities, or groups of commodi-
ties, at scheduled times, and each liaison officer is notified as far in advance as possible, of
the dates of these meetings. Each bureau is expected to have present the proper represen-
tation along technical, commodity, and other lines, as well as some one, if possible, who can
decide questions of policy and speak with authority. All of this may be combined in one
representative or in several. From the evidence presented by these representatives decision
is made at this meeting as to which bureau is best fitted through experience, quantity han-
dled, personnel, etc., to have charge for the Army of the procurement of the article. The
members present then draw up a tentative draft of a supply circular designating some one
bureau as the procurement bureau for the Army.

c. Copies of this tentative draft of supply circulars are submitted through the liaison
officers to the bureaus for discussion by the various sections interested. Written notification
should then be sent to this office of the approval or definite objection of the bureaus to the
draft in question.

d. These replies are tabulated in this office and when all are received the draft of the
supply circular is again submitted through the liaison officers to the procurement chief of
each bureau, together with a statement as to the approval or objection set forth by other
bureaus, and the recommendations of this office in regard to the same.

e. A meeting of the procurement chiefs of the various bureaus is then called at this office
where final decision of the drafted supply circular is reached, after which it is sent to the
director of purchase, storage, and traffic for signature and promulgation.

The usual procedure followed by this office at present is to issue these circulars in groups
of six or more at a time for approval or objection by the various bureaus.

Hugh S. Johnson,
Brigadier General, Director of Purchases anil Supplies.
By C. F. Cook,

Major, Ordnance, R. C.

The majority of the articles pertaining to the Medical Department which
were consolidated with other bureaus for procurement are contained in the

following list:

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,

Washington, D. C, August 28, 1918.
1. In accordance with the terms of Supply Circular No. 2, dated May S, 1918, issued
by the director of purchase, storage, and traffic, purchase and supply branch, the following
items of Medical Corps property have been consolidated under the bureaus as set forth in

PPiOCUEEMENT

215

column 3. All interbureau procurement requisitions will be made by this office. Recom-
mendations (based on your experience during the past year) as to quantities to be purchased
covering those items heretofore procured at your depot will be submitted by you without
delay. Specifications for all items purchased at your depot will be sent to this office at
once.

2. In addition to the items mentioned, other articles purchased from time to time come
under the provisions of consolidation circulars. Purchasing officers must familiarize them-
selves with all consolidation of procurement circulars and will be governed by them. When
in doubt, this office should be consulted.

Item

Hereto-
fore pur- Procurement

chased consolidated in-
by-

Aprons, cooks ___ Q. P.

Bars, mosquito G.P.O

Batteries, extra for elee- 1 W

trical equipment.

Bed sacks J O. P. O

Blankets ...
Caps, cooks.
Clocks

Clothesline, manila.

Cots, etc. (all cots and
bedsteads and bunks).
Chest:

Tool, No 1

Tool, No. 2

Cots, folding, Gold

Medal

Extra batteries for elec-
trical apparatus.
Flashlights, hand, elec-
tric.
Extra batteries for...
Gray gauze

Lamps, wicks for.
Lanterns:

Wicks for

Complete

Folding

Without wick
globe.

Lamps:

Hand

Stand _

Mattress covers

Mattress pads for cots
Mattresses

Mops, heads for

Muslin, unbleached..

Needles:

Common, assorted. _.

Sailmaker's

Upholsterer's

Packing material (all
burlap and Jute).

Paint, white, 1 gallon, in
tin.

Pillow cases

Pillow sacks

Pillows

Paper:

Tarred, in 30-yard
rolls.

Toilet, in rolls of 2,000
sheets.
Paper, wrapping:

White

Blue

Brown

G. P. O
G. P.
N. Y.._

N.Y...

G. P. O

N. Y___.
W

Quartermasl er

Corps.
do

Ordnance

Corps.
Quartermas ter
Corps.

do

do

Bureau of Air-
craft Produc-
tion.
Quartermaster
Corps.

do

do..

(}.P. O
N. Y— .

w

G.P.O.

N. Y.

N. Y___.
N.Y — .

G. P.

G. P. ().
G. P. O.
N. Y— .
G. P. O.

N. Y.

N. Y.
N. Y.
W ...

N. Y...
G. P. O

G. P. O
O. P. O

G. P. O
N.Y...

N. Y._.
N. Y—
N. Y-...

.do .
.do.

.....do..

Ordnance

Corps.
do

....do....

Quartermas t e r

Corps.
....do

....do

Ordnance
Corps.

do

....do..

do

do

Quartermaster
Corps

do

do

do —

do

do .

do.

do.

....do.

Engineer Corps

Quartermaster
Corps

do

do

do

do

....do ...
....do...
....do —

60

28
3

Textiles for:

Bags, laundry

Bandages-
Canton flannel
(all).

gauze ''all)

Bathrobes

Coats made of can-
vas

Canvas for belts

Canvas for litters

Cotton bats

Gowns, operating

Packets:

First-aid

Individual dress-
ing.

Pajamas, suits

Plaster, adhesive

Shirts, cotton

Sponges, gauze

Razors, strops for

Hope, cotton, H-inch

Refrigerators, large and
small.

Saddles, pack

Saddlebags, "veteri-
nary"

Sheets, cotton

Shirts, cotton

Slings, suspending, "vet-
erinary. "
Soap, washing, and

bleaching powders.
Soap:

Common _

Ivory

Scouring

Washing powder

Tape, cotton

Thread:

Cotton, assorted —
Linen, unbleached ..

Tourniquets, cotton

Towels:

Cotton (all kinds) ..
Linen (all kinds) ....
Twine:

Manila

Jute

Wallets:

Farrier's, empty

Veterinary, officer's,
empty.
Kitchen utensils and
tableware, hospital:
Boilers-
Coffee—

1 1 > 2 -q u a r t ,
enamel or
tin.
<>-quart en-
amel or tin.
Double, for cook-
ing—

11-quart

4-quart

Hereto-
fore pur-
chased

by—

Procurement
consolidated in -

-do .
.do .

N. Y .
G P. O.
N.Y

St. L ...
G. P. ().
G. P.O.

Sl.L .

.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.

.do.
.do.

-do.

.do.

-do.

.do.

.do.

.do

.do .

do....

do.._.

do....

do....

do-

cs-

N.Y, ..

do

X. Y

do

N.Y .

do

N.Y ...

a. p. o.

G. P. O.

do

do..__

do

G. P. O.
G. P.O.
W

do

do

do

G. P.O.

do

G. P. 0.

do

W

do

W

...do ._

St.L— -

St.L.—

do

N.Y....

do

N. Y-...

do

N. Y_...
N.Y'....

do

do

62
62

62
62

216

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Item

Hereto-
fore pur-
chased
by-

Procurement
consolidated in—

— .

3 -

''• =
>. E

~"C

62

62
62
62
62
62
62
62

62
62

62
62
62
62

62
62
62

62

62
62
62
62

62

62
62
62
62
62

62

62

62
62

62

62

62
62
62
62

62
62
62
62
62

62

62
62

Item

Hereto-
fore pur-
chased
by-

Procurement
consolidated in —

fi

Kitchen utensils— Con.
Boilers — Con.

N.Y

N. Y.

N.Y...

N.Y

N. Y.

N.Y..

N.Y

N. Y___.

N.Y

N.Y

N. Y.._.

N.Y

N.Y

N. Y.__.

N.Y....
N.Y

N.Y

N.Y

N. Y___.

N.Y
N. Y___.
N.Y....

N.Y

N.Y

N.Y

do

do

1 do

do...

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do..

Kitchen utensils— Con.

N. Y

do .

6?

Tin, copper

Saucers .

N. Y. _

.. do

6?

bottom.

Saws, butcher's

Scales and weights,
grocer's.

N. Y—

do

6?

Bowls-

N. Y...

. do

6?

Chopping .

Soup, delft

N. Y

do

6 15

Sugar, with lid...
Can openers.. . . .

Shakers-
Pepper, glass

Salt, glass

Sieves, (lour

N. Y__

N. Y

do

Collanders. .

N. Y_
X. Y.

do

do

6?

Cruets, vinegar and

Skimmers

Spoons —

Basting, tinned

iron.
Table, silver (or
nickel plated).

Steels, butcher's

Trays, butler's

Tumblers, glass
Kitchen u te nsi Is and
tableware, field:
Bowls, aluminum or
enamel ware.

Cake cutters

Cake turners
Can openers .

Cleavers, meat

Dippers, white
enamel.

Dishes, vegetable

F.gg beaters ..

Food choppers
Forks—

Flesh ....

Table, medium
Sponge or egg
beater.

Knives —
Fish

fi?

oil.
Cups (coffee)

N Y

do

6-

N. Y__

do

Dishes—

6?

-Meat, assorted..
Pickle

N Y

Vegetable _

N. Y

Egg beaters

N. Y____

do

<V>

Forks-
Carving..
Flesh

W

do

6?

Table, silver (or

W

. do ._ .

nickel plated).

do ..

fi?

(■raters-

w

do

62

Large .

w

Small

do...

do

w

62

Gravy boats...

\v

Gridirons. ..

do

do ....

do

w

w

do

.. do

Grindstone, kitchen,
complete, 10-inch.

62

Kettles, tea

w

w

do.... .

do

6?

Knives —

do ...

62

w

62
62

Butcher's _ ..

N.Y
N.Y
N.Y

N. Y
N.Y

N. Y
N. Y

N.Y

N.Y....

do

w

.. do

( arving

do

w

do

Table, silver (or

do _.

62

nickel plated).
Ladles _ _

... do

\v

do

Measures, metal, 1-

do

Table

\v .

w

w

\v

w

w

do

do -

do

do

do

do

62

pint. 1 quart, 2-
quart, and 4-quart.
Meat cutter

do

Ladles, soup.
Mashers, potato

Nutmeg graters

Pitchers, enamel

ware.

Plates, aluminum

Platters, meat

Pot chains and

scrapers.
Saucers, aluminum

or enamel ware.
Shakers-
Pepper, glass

Salt, glass

Spoons —

Basting

Dessert .

Tea (for medical

62
62
62
62

Mills, coffee...

do

Pans —
Dish-

do

Deep, re-

w

do

tinned, 21-

do

w

w

do

quart.
E.\tra heavy,

do

62

retinncd or
metal, 3">-
quart.

N.Y
N.Y....

do

do

w

do

Frving ..

w

..do

Milk...

w

do

62

Muffin

N.Y...

do.

w

do

Sauce..

N.Y....

do

62
62

Pitchers —
Delft —

f-pint

N. Y___.

do

\v

w ...

do

do

4-quart ._ _

N. Y...

do

Squeezers, lemon
Steels, butcher's

w

do

62
62
62
62

Sirup, glass ._ .
Plates, dinner.

N.Y....

N. Y__

.....do

do

w

w

do

do

Potato mashers

N. Y.__.

do

Tea strainers

Trays, serving.. _ .
Sickle

w

do

Pots-

N. Y____

do

w

do

Mustard, with

w

do

62

wooden spoons.

N.Y...

N. Y____

do

do.

Wire cutter and

pliers.
Wire, annealed.. ..

w

...do

Stock, 24-quart...
Tea. enamel or

w

62

tin.

Colonel, Medical Corps, U. £>. A.

PROCUREMENT 217

INTERBUREAU REQUISITIONS

After a decision had been reached that supplies should be procured upon
a commodity basis, it became necessary to develop a method to effect that
end. Accordingly, conferences were held at which were present representa-
tives of the supply bureaus and other interested persons, and ways and means
were discussed. The principle laid down for these discussions was that the
procurement of an article common to two or more supply bureaus should
be assigned for purchase to the bureau that used the greatest quantity of it.
Such bureau would receive from the other bureaus statements of the quantities
required by them and, after consolidating those requirements with its own,
would proceed with the negotiations and purchase of the whole amount.
After delivery, distribution would be made to the other bureaus in accordance
with their requests. These statements or requests came to be called interbureau
procurement requisitions. 10 The plan seemed quite simple. Under it the Med-
ical Department, if it required sheets, made requisition on the Quartermaster
Corps; 11 if lamps or microscopes, on the Ordnance Department; 12 if dry cells
for flash lights, on the Signal Corps; 13 if castor oil, on the Bureau of Aircraft
Production. The funds for the payment of the supplies requisition were set
up by the bureau which required the articles to the credit of the bureau which
made the purchases. 10

The bureau needing supplies furnished the procurement bureau with its
requirement for any article the specifications for that article. Thereafter the
requiring bureau had no further responsibility until deliveries were made by
the procuring bureau of the quantities requested. Since all competition
between governmental agencies was to be obviated, prices were expected to be
less; furthermore, industry would deal with only one agency on matters
relating to a particular commodity. The procuring bureau was to keep in
touch with all manufacturers of the articles and commodities consolidated
with it for procurement; also, it was to maintain an adequate force of expert
purchasing agents and inspectors for these articles.

The Medical Department placed its first interbureau procurement requisi-
tion with the designated bureau on June 26, 1918. The second requisition
followed on June 29. During July, 1918, 18 such requisitions were forwarded.
Twenty-two requisitions were placed during August. By September 20 the
number had risen to 65. Thereafter the number of such requisitions rose
steadily until at the time the armistice was signed they approximated 200.

The projected strength of the Army was rising rapidly and the quantities
of the articles entered on these requisitions were very large. A few requisitions
for small quantities were placed, due to a misinterpretation of instructions.

That delays would occur and difficulties and complications arise in admin-
istering the new system were, perhaps, to be expected. Time was required
for the development of an efficient and smoothly operating organization for the
handling of the requisitions. Due allowances had to be made for the inexperi-
ence of the personnel assigned to this work and to their lack of familiarity with
the principles and details of the prescribed method. It is doubtful that the

218 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

procuring bureaus visualized, as commodity after commodity was delegated to
them for procurement, the great volume of work which would result from the
consolidation. Whatever may have been the cause, long delays were experienced
by the Medical Department in securing acknowledgments from the procuring
bureaus of the requisitions which it forwarded. In a few instances the requisi-
tions were handled promptly. In many other instances, however, especially
during the first two months of operation of the system, delays of 10 to 30 days
in acknowledging the receipt of the requisitions were not uncommon. Papers
went astray or failed to reach the individual charged with the purchase of the
article. The details of the system appear to have been interpreted differently
in the various supply bureaus. The manner in which interbureau procurement
requisitions were handled by the Medical Department is indicated in the follow-
ing report of July 27, 1918: u

These arc prepared by the procurement bureau officer, 12 to a set. The first two
copies are signed by the bureau chief so that the approval of the Surgeon General and
authorization are both accomplished. The entire set is then turned over to the contract
and authorization section to be checked on specifications, for authorization of purchase, for
price; and allotment number is secured from the finance section where reservation
governing the amount involved is arranged for. Amendments and cancellations are
handled in exactly the same manner.

The completed requisition is then returned to the procuring officer, who distributes by
mail or by messenger to the various departments requiring copies, the first six, of course,
going directly to the procuring bureau. The acknowledgment and all information in ref-
erence to production, place of contracts, price, terms, etc., are to come from the procuring
bureau direct to the contract and authorization section. This is done so that the produc-
tion department may follow up and charge the amount of allotment which may lie arranged
for promptly. The transfer of funds in the finance section is taken care of in accordance
with instructions given in the supply circular.

Various expedients were utilized to overcome the many difficulties which
persisted in spite of all efforts on the part of the supervising agency. A central
organization was established to act as a clearing house for all matters pertaining
to interbureau requisitions. This agency received all requisitions from the
requiring bureaus, recorded them, and distributed them to the bureau designated
to procure the commodity specified in each. It also received from the pro-
curing bureau the acknowledgment of receipt of the requisitions and distributed
these acknowledgments to the requiring bureaus. In general it was expected
to maintain contact with both bureaus until contracts had actually been placed
for the articles enumerated on the requisitions.

During the early weeks of operation of the system reports were required
from time to time from all bureaus concerning the status of the requisitions. 15
Later the procuring bureaus were instructed to submit reports semimonthly
showing the status of all unfilled requisitions received by them up to the 5th
and 20th of the month, respectively. 16 As a furthur step toward the prompt
and efficient handling of interbureau requisitions, the following instructions
were issued August 6, 1918 : 17

In order that interbureau relations affecting procurements may function smoothly and
expeditiously and that the proper coordination of the various divisions of each bureau may
be assured, it is believed to be desirable that all papers and verbal imformation be routed
through a central unit, section, or individual in each bureau and that the officer in charge of

PROCUREMENT 219

this unit shall have at hand files which will permit an immediate reply to inquiries from
another bureau relative to the status of its requisitions without waiting to have the matter
reported upon through the usual internal routine of the bureau. This central unit or section
should function as follows:

(a) Incoming requisitions. — To receive, record, distribute within the bureau, return
receipts, issue reports of purchases and progress reports, and to answer quickly inquiries of
other bureaus as to the status of requisitions

(h) Outgoing requisitions. — To record, issue, to ascertain receipt by procuring bureau, to
follow up deliveries, and to place other bureaus in touch with the individuals who can give
imformation in regard to specifications, shipping directions, and finances when same are not
stated on the original requisition.

It is therefore requested that you advise this office of your views witli regard to the
above and, unless there is some serious objection, that a central unit or section for the
entire bureau be organized as promptly as possible.

Since no commodity had been consolidated for procurement by the Medical
Department, no need could be seen for the establishment therein of a separate
organization to handle interbureau requisitions. 18 A short time afterward, in
response to a request from the director of purchases and supplies, 19 an officer was
designated by the Surgeon General to follow Medical Department requisitions of
the procuring bureaus and keep completely posted at all times as to the progress
of them. 20

A report on the status of the interbureau requisitions issued by the Medical
Department was forwarded to the director of purchases and supplies, August 21,
1918, 21 in compliance with his request of August 16, 1918. This number of
requisitions contained in the report was 25. One of them had been canceled
and three had been amended. The period covered by these requisitions was
June 26 to August 7. Full shipping instructions had been issued for each
request. An acknowledgment of receipt of the requisition by the procuring
bureau had been received for 11 of the 25 requisitions. No report of purchase
or other information concerning negotiations therefor had been received.

-fudging from the reports received, the negotiations for purchase on many
of the requisitions were late in starting and made slow progress. Deliveries
likewise were slow and unsatisfactory. The causes for the delay were numerous;
doubtless many of them were beyond the power of the procuring bureau to
prevent. The difficulties encountered in obtaining from the procuring bureaus
information concerning the progress made in procuring supplies on these requi-
sitions were not abated when it came to adjusting them after the need for the
supplies had passed. Since no action had been taken on the last hundred
requisitions submitted, they were canceled immediately after the armistice was
signed.

The difficulties already mentioned had to do, for the most part, with the
transmission of requisitions from the using bureau to the procuring bureau and
reports thereon, such as acknowledgment of receipt, purchase reports, procure-
ment memoranda, production reports, etc. They but suggest some internal
confusion and lack of organization within the procuring bureaus for the han-
dling of requisitions received. After the requisitions were delivered to the
procuring bureau, delay followed delay. Concrete information concerning the
placement of orders and progress of production was very difficult to obtain.
Deliveries were late in beginning and slow in progress. How much of this delay

220 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

was due primarily to defects in the procuring organization and how much
depended upon the restrictions and regulations imposed by superior controlling
hodies can not now be effectively determined.

The supply circulars referred to above plainly were intended to cover pur-
chases in large quantities; they contained no provision or exception whereby
local purchase could be made of a small quantity to fill a requisition. As a
result a large number of interbureau requisitions were placed by the several
supply bureaus with the designated procuring bureau for small quantities of
articles, one or two or a half dozen of the article. These small requisitions
added to the difficulties of the already overburdened procuring bureaus. To
lessen this inconvenience the chief of the purchase branch directed, October 15,
1918, that all purchases having a money value of less than $5,000 be made
directly by the issuing bureaus instead of through the procuring bureau desig-
nated in the various supply circulars. 22 These instructions were furnished the
purchasing agencies of the Medical Department a few days later and materially
assisted in securing supplies to fill requisitions for small quantities of articles
not in stock.

REFERENCES

(1) G. 0. No. 51, War Department, May 24, 1918; G. O. No. 71, August 3, 1918.

(2) American Industry in the War, A Report of the War Industries Board, by Bernard 51.

Harwell, Washington, Government Printing Office, 1921, 21, 85.

(3) Priorities Circular No. 3, War Industries Board, January 1, 1918.

(4) General Orders, No. 5, War Department, January 11, 1918.

(5) Memorandum for the Surgeon General, from the Director of Purchases, January 21,

1918, relative to consolidation of purchases, and indorsment thereon. On file, Finance

Supply Division, b. G. O., -7.

45

(6) Minutes of meetings of the various commodity sections of the War Industries Board

and of the Purchase and Supply Branch, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division,
General Stall, May to July, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
750-198 D._P.
166 223

(7) Supply circulars, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff, War Depart-

ment, April 24, 1918, to December 26, 1918, inclusive.

(8) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Director, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic, May

24,1918. Subject: Consolidation of optical glass and optical instruments. On file,

750-198 D P
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ' '■ Also: Letter from the Sur-

geon General to the Director of Purchases and Supplies, July 5, 1918. Subject:
Consolidation of procurement. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
750-198 P.P.
84

(9) Letters from the Surgeon General to Purchase and Supply Branch, Purchase, Storage,

and Traffic Division, General Staff, August 8, 1918, August 26, 1918. Subject: Consol-
idation of procurement. On file, Finance and Supplv Division, S. G. ,
750-198 D. P.
213, 329

(10) Supplv Circular No. 18, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff, June

8, 1918.

(11) Supply Circular No. 3, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff Mav

11, 191S.

PROCUREMENT 221

(12) Supply Circular No. 72, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff, August

8, 1918.

(13) Supply Circular No. 84, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff, Septem-

ber 3, 1918.

(14) Memorandum for Lieut. Col. Stockdale, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division,

Washington, D. C, from the Surgeon General's Office, July 27, 191S. Subject:

Method of handling interbureau procurement requisitions. On file, Finance and

i rv • • a n r, 750-198 D. P.
Supply Division, 8. O. O., . „

(15) Letter from Purchase and Supply Branch, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division,

General Staff, to the Medical Corps, Interbureau Unit, August 8, 1918. Subject

Interbureau procurement requisitions. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

750-198 D. P.
S. G.O., -^gj --•

(16) Letter from Purchase and Supply Branch, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division,

General Staff, to the Surgeon General, August 24, 1918. Subject: Interbureau

750-198 D. P.
requisitions. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - .,.,,. ' —"A.

(17) Letter from the Purchase and Supply Branch, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division,

General Staff, to the Surgeon General, August 6, 1918. Subject: Central units to
furnish information in status of interbureau requisitions. On file, Finance and

a i ™- • • a n r, 750-108 D. P.
Supply Division, S. G. O., „„, -

(18) Letter from the Surgeon General to Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, Atten-

tion Major Cook, August 10, 1918. Subject: Central units to furnish information
in status of interbureau requisitions. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
750-198 D. P.
235

(19) Memorandum for the Medical Department from the Director of Purchases and Sup-

plies, August 13, 1918. Subject: Consolidation of procurement, appointment of an
officer to follow interbureau procurement requisitions. On file, Finance and Supply

„. . . u „ „ 750-198 D. P.
Division, S. G. O., — ,,h^

(20) Memorandum from the Surgeon General to Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division,

on August 22, 1918, designating an officer to follow Medical Department requisitions on

_ _ _ 750-198 D. P.
procuring bureaus. On file, Finance and Supply Division, s. (j. U., ~320

(21) Letter from the Surgeon General to Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, Purchase

and Supply Branch, August 21, 1918. Subject: Report on interbureau requisitions.

r. «i t^- i a i r> ■ ■ • a r. n 750-198 D. P.
On file, 1'inance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — — .,rrr •

(22) Letter from Chief, Purchase Branch, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, to the

Surgeon General of the Army, October 15, 1918. Subject: Interbureau requisitions.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^5

CHAPTER XII

CONSOLIDATION OF FINANCES

The principle of consolidation as interpreted by the Director of Purchase,
Storage, and Traffic did not stop with procurement; its ramifications were
many. There were many procedures involved other than centralizing in one
supply bureau the purchase, for all supply bureaus, of a given article or group
of articles. Modifications of existing methods followed one another in rapid
succession throughout the whole fabric of the supply system. The changes
in the procedures, in the judgment of the director, were the legitimate progeny
of the principle of consolidation carried to its logical conclusion. One of these
changes having to do with the financial side of consolidated procurement was
unavoidable under any system set up. It is axiomatic that supplies purchased
must be paid for within a reasonable time after they have been delivered or
production will lag and soon cease. The consolidation of procurement as
interpreted by the director devolved upon the procuring bureau the "sole
charge of the Army of making all purchases, following production, conducting
inspection, and making acceptance of and payment for the articles placed in
its charge." 1 The appropriations made by Congress for the support of the
Military Establishment stipulated the specific purposes for which they might
be used. 2 The appropriations in such acts were grouped according to general
purposes. Thus, there were appropriations for the Signal Corps, Quarter-
master Corps, Medical Department, Engineer Department, and Ordnance
Department. 2 Under the regulations and customs of the service for nearly a
century the particular agency to disburse each such appropriation had become
well defined. Officers of the Signal Corps disbursed appropriations for that
corps; 3 officers of the Quartermaster Corps disbursed Quartermaster appro-
priations; 4 those of the Corps of Engineers disbursed Engineer appropriations;'
and officers of the Medical Department disbursed appropriations made under
the title medical and hospital department. 6 These agencies had long been
recognized by Congress and the accounting officers of the Treasury Department
as the proper agencies for the disbursement of the respective appropriations.'
When the consolidation of procurement was determined upon, a change in the
system became necessary. The procuring bureau could not purchase out of
the funds appropriated for it articles required for use or issue by another sup-
ply bureau, nor could it expend appropriations under the jurisdiction of the
requiring bureau. Some provision, then, had to be made for extinguishing
obligations incurred by the procuring bureau. There was already in common
use a fiscal regulation under which appropriations made to one supply bureau
could be transferred upon the books of the Treasury Department for disburse-
ment by another bureau. Under this regulation the Secretary of War, at the

223

224 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

request of the chief of the supply bureau desiring to transfer the funds, made
application to the Secretary of the Treasury for the transfer. In these transfers,
however, the appropriation did not lose its identity and the funds so transferred
could be applied only to the purposes for which they were appropriated. This
regulation provided a way for extinguishing the obligations incurred by the pro-
curing bureau on behalf of the bureau making the requisition. Accordingly, the
general instructions covering the consolidation of procurement provided that,
where the issuing was not the procuring bureau, the former should make pro-
curement requisition on the latter for its requirement, at the same time making
transfer to the procuring bureau of the estimated amount of funds required for
the purpose. 8

The detailed instructions covering interbureau procurement requisitions
issued June 8, 1918, amplified these general instructions as follows: 9

The certificate of credit in the lower right-hand corner of the interbureau procurement
requisition notifies the procuring bureau that the issuing bureau has set aside, from the
proper appropriation, the estimated amount of funds necessary to cover the cost of the
material requisitioned, and that proper transfer of funds will follow in due course.

One copy of each interbureau requisition shall be supplied to the finance officer of the
issuing bureau, where a record shall be made of the requisition, comprising its date, serial
number, the article or material, estimated cost, appropriation, and allotment number charge-
able. Immediately upon receipt of an interbureau procurement requisition in a procuring
bureau a copy thereof shall be forwarded to the finance office of the procuring bureau,
where a similar record shall be made. These entries will form a record of the reservation
based upon the estimated cost. Actual transfer of funds will be based on the contract price,
which will be obtained by each of the finance offices concerned from the "interbureau pur-
chase report" (Form No. 4). A copy of the interbureau purchase report shall be supplied
to the financa offices of the two bureaus as in the case of the interbureau procurement
requisition for the purpose of obtaining a word of the actual amounts to be transferred.
Transfer of funds covered by these requisitions shall be made periodically — that is, one
transfer per bureau per period — provided, however, that in case an interbureau purchase
report shows that the article or material called for will be delivered and must be paid for
before the customary time for transferring funds to the procuring bureau a special transfer
of funds may be made.

The details of the financial systems of the several supply bureaus were not
identical, although all followed the same broad general principles. The system
followed by each supply bureau was the evolution of years of experience. The
variations which had developed in them were such as were most adaptable to
the use of the particular supply bureau. These variations had been noted,
understood, and found unobjectionable by the accounting officers of the Treas-
ury Department. With the development of the principle of consolidation of
procurement it appeared expedient to those in authority to unify these various
systems of accounting and develop one applicable to all supply bureaus. To
accomplish this end, it became necessary to establish a central financial organ-
ization to supervise, coordinate, and direct the financial agencies of the several
supply bureaus.

In the process of evolution of consolidation there was created in the War
Department January 11, 1918, an organization known as the purchasing service
and authorized to exercise control over and enforce coordination within the

PROCUREMENT 225

procurement activity of the several supply branches of the Army. 10 While
this service was concerned primarily with procurement, supervision of raw
materials, and production, it also exercised, indirectly, control over finances to
some extent. On February 9, 1918, the purchasing service became, with some
additions, the purchase and supply division of the General Staff. 11 The duties
prescribed for this division included, among other things, "the supervision and
coordination of all appropriations, estimates, and requirements, and other finan-
cial matters relating to the purchase of munitions and all other supplies." 11 In
the organization of this division a financial section was formed. On April 16,
1918, the purchase and supply division was merged with the storage and traffic
division to form the purchase, storage, and traffic division, 12 of which the former
became the purchase and supply branch. The finance section continued as a
part of the purchase and supply branch of the new division. The duties of the
finance section as defined by its chief were to standardize accounting and fis-
cal methods of the several supply bureaus so that the state of the finances of
each bureau could be ascertained at any time, as well as that of the supply
bureaus collectively. 13

On June 10, 1918, the Medical Department, among other supply bureaus,
was informed that this finance section was charged with the duties of standard-
izing and coordinating all fiscal accounting and methods in the several supply
bureaus. No changes of or modifications in existing accounting methods were
to be made until they had been approved by the finance section, and all bureau
chiefs, chiefs of sections, and all other officers were directed to provide such
assistance, information, and reports as might be required from time to time by
the finance section in the discharge of its duties. 14

At the end of August, 1918, the finance section became the accounts
department, charged with responsibility for and authority over disbursements,
fiscal accounting, preparation of estimates, and reports of accounts. 15

On October 11, 1918, the accounts department became the finance depart-
ment, with a director of finance in charge. 16 On that date the following
directions were promulgated: 16

The director of finance shall have responsibility for and authority over the preparation
of estimates, disbursements, money accounts, property accounts, finance reports, and pay
and mileage of the Army.

The director of finance shall assume authority over and responsibility for the activi-
ties, personnel, and equipment of the several finance and accounts divisions, branches, and
offices of the General Staff, and of the supply corps of the Army, and shall assume authority
over and responsibility for the finances of the several corps, departments, and other sepa-
rate activities of the Army, including the accounting for funds and property. The director
of finance shall issue directions as to the order of such consolidation, together with such
other instructions, regulations, and orders as shall be necessary to carry out the provisions
of the circular.

In carrying out the duties assigned to him by these instructions the direc-
tor of finance published the organization of his office on October 16, 1918. 17
The organization was divided into nine divisions. In six of these divisions a
30663—28 15

226 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

medical branch was established as follows: Estimates division, apportionments
and requisitions division, credits division, money accounts division, property
accounts division, and central disbursing division. The director of finance stated
in the finance circular publishing the organization of his office that instructions
would be issued concerning the order of consolidation of the existing finance
and accounts division of the General Staff and the supply corps of the Army.
The organization of his office was framed to provide for such consolidation, and
to absorb the finance sections of the supply bureaus whenever directed by the
director of finance.

On October 24, 1918, an order was issued directing the transfer of the
supply activities of the Medical Department to the office of the director of
purchase and storage and the financial and disbursing activities of the Surgeon
General's Office to the director of finance. 18 In carrying out the provisions of
this order the director of finance issued instructions on November 13, 1918,
for the distribution of the various financial activities of the office of the
Surgeon General to sections in his office as indicated in the following circular:

November 13, 1918.
Finance Circular No. 14.

Subject: Transfer and assignment of certain branches of finance and supply divisions, Office
of the Surgeon General.

1. In accordance with the terms of the Supply Circulars Xos. 98 and 102, transferring
to the director of finance the personnel, equipment, and records pertaining to the finance
and to the finance and accounting activities of the Office of the Surgeon General of the Army,
the finance branch, property branch, and disbursing branch, and so much of the administra-
tion branch as relates to the finance and accounting, of the division of finance and supply of
the Office of the Surgeon General, with records and equipment complete, will be reported by
the senior officer on duty therewith to the director of finance for assignment as follows:

(a) The administrative section of the finance branch to the medical branch of the esti-
mates division. Maj. Joseph C. Scheve, Sanitary Corps, is assigned to duty as acting chief
of the medical estimates branch.

(/>) The property branch to the Medical Corps property branch of the property accounts
division. Mr. C. E. Stoddard is assigned to duty as acting chief of the Medical Corps
property accounts branch.

(c) The disbursing branch and the accounts and approval section and record room section
of the finance branch to the Medical Corps branch of the central disbursing division. Capt.
J. G. Hurty, Sanitary Corps, is assigned to duty as acting chief of the Medical Corps
disbursing branch.

(d) The bookkeeping section and authorization section of the finance branch to the medi-
cal branch of the apportionments and requisitions division. Second Lieut. E. B. Farrell, jr.,
Sanitary Corps, is assigned to duty as acting chief of the medical apportionments and
requisitions branch.

0) The contract section of the finance branch to the medical credits branch of the credits
division.

(/) The recording and auditing section of the finance branch to the medical branch of
the money accounts division.

2. Assignments of chiefs of the medical credits branch of the credits division and the
medical branch of the money accounts division will be announced later.

3. The provisions of this order are to take effect November 15, 1918.
By authority of director of purchase, storage, and traffic.

PROCTJliEMENT 227

Carrying the consolidation to its ultimate conclusion, the director of finance
on December 2, 1918, gave instructions for the transfer of the disbursing office,
at the New York medical supply depot, to the director of finance, and its con-
solidation with the disbursing offices of other supply branches in New York
City and vicinity into a single office. A zone finance officer was appointed to
assume responsibility for and authority over all financial activities in that area
and the work pertaining thereto. He was instructed to effect a physical con-
solidation of them at the earliest practicable date. 10 On December 11, 1918,
similar instructions were given concerning the financial activities of the several
supply branches in Philadelphia, the disbursing officer at the medical supply
depot in that city being included in the consolidation. 20 Later the consoli-
dation was extended to the depots at Atlanta, St. Louis, San Antonio, and
San Francisco; the financial activities of all supply bureaus at those places
being consolidated under one zone finance officer. As rapidly as the change
could be made the consolidation was extended to include the Hawaiian Islands,
the Philippine Islands, and the Canal Zone. By the end of 1918, the Surgeon
General had been divested of all financial activities. All disbursements and
accounting for funds appropriated for the Medical Department were made by
or under the immediate direction of the director of finance.

REFERENCES

(1) Par. 1 (e), Supply Circular No. 2, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General

Staff, War Department, May 8, 1918.

(2) Acts of May 12, 1917, July 9, 1918, etc.

(3) G. O. No. 104, Headquarters of the Army, A. G. O., Washington, August 6, 1901.

(4) Par. 990, General Regulations for the Army, 1825; par. 1027, Army Regulations, 1841,

etc.

(5) Par. 893, General Regulations for the Army, 1S25, and succeeding edition Army

Regulations.

(6) Military Laws, Rules, and Regulations for the Army of the United States, 1S20, p.

105; par. 1107, Army Regulations 1857; par. 1240, Army Regulations 1861; etc.

(7) Report of Committee on Accounts and Expenditures of the War Department, House

of Representatives, May 1, 1S22, American State Papers, Class V, Military Affairs,
Lowrie and Clarke, Washington, D. C, Gales & Seaton, 1832, Vol. II, 419.

(8) Supply Circular No. 2, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff, War

Department, May 8, 1918.

(9) Supply Circular No. 18, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff, War

Department, June 8, 1918.

(10) G. O. No. 5, War Department, January 11, 1918.

(11) G. O. No. 14, War Department, February 9, 1918.

(12) G. O. No. 36, War Department, April 16, 1918.

(13) Letter from chief of finance section, Office Director of Purchases and Supplies, to Col.

H. M. Lord, Q. M. C, chairman of committee representing the finance sections of
the supply bureaus, War Department, May 29, 1918. Subject: Report and rec-
ommendations dated May 27, 1918, of committee representing finance sections,
supply bureaus, War Department. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
750 198 Oof I'.
24

228 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(14) Supply Circular No. 19, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff, War

Department, June 10, 1918.

(15) Supply Circular No. 80, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff, War

Department, August 27, 1918.

(16) Pars. 1-2, Supply Circular No. 98, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General

Staff, War Department, October 11, 1918.

(17) Finance Circular No. 1, Office Director of Finance, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Divi-

sion, General Staff, War Department, October 16, 1917.

(18) Par. 3, Supply Circular No. 102, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff,

War Department, October 24, 1918.

(19) Finance Circular No. 36, Office Director of Finance, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic

Division, General Staff, War Department, December 2, 1918.

(20) Finance Circular No. 43, Office Director of Finance, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic

Division, General Staff, War Department, December 11, 1918.

CHAPTER XIII
DISBURSEMENTS

In the purchase of supplies in time of peace it is customary to call for
delivery at the depot making the purchase. This point of delivery is usually
stated in the circular of advertisement. The prices paid for the articles include,
therefore, transportation charges from the point of manufacture to the depot.
They represent the cost of the article delivered into the warehouse of the pur-
chasing depot. In routine purchases under those conditions it has been cus-
tomary to wait until the supplies have been received before preparing vouchers
for their payment. These vouchers contained a certificate signed by the pur-
chasing officer that the supplies had been received. This certificate was the
outgrowth of the act of January 31, 1823. Section I of this act provides that
"payments on contracts shall not exceed the value of the services rendered or
of articles delivered previous to such payments." For many years partial pay-
ments upon vouchers for medical supplies were not looked upon with much
favor. The quantities purchased were generally small. The period covered
by the expected delivery was generally short and the sums involved were not
large. For such contracts payments were withheld until delivery had been
made complete and the articles accepted, whereupon payment was made in full.
In annual contracts, and those in which deliveries covered a long period, par-
tial payments were made at stated intervals, in accordance with the quantities
delivered.

For the greater part of the year 1917 these same procedures obtained. As
the bulk of supplies increased, shipments direct from the factory to points
other than the purchasing depot became more numerous; the assistance of the
Government in securing transportation for the shippers increased, and other
measures became necessary. Cars moving on Government bills of lading had
preference on the railroads over those moving on commercial bills of lading and
were generally more easily secured. If the contract called for delivery at the
depot and direct shipments were made from the factory on Government bills of
lading, it became necessary to make adjustments to cover the freight charges
included in the prices paid for the articles. Consequently, the custom grew
up of making purchases f. o. b. cars at the manufacturers' plants. Because
of the magnitude of the contract, the length of time covered by the deliveries,
and the value of the articles shipped, partial payments became the rule rather
than the exception. But here again difficulty was experienced by the purchas-
ing officer in making payments. Under the interpretation of the regulation
then in force, the purchasing officers were of the opinion that payments could
be made only after receipt of an acknowledgment from the receiving officer, or
other satisfactory evidence of delivery at destination. Under this conception
considerable periods, often weeks, elapsed between shipment and the formal
acknowledgment of receipt at destination. 1 Payments were correspondingly
delayed, often to the inconvenience of the manufacturer. In order to reduce

229

230 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

this inconvenience as much as possihle, the following instructions were given
by the Surgeon General, October 25, 1917, to all purchasing depots: 2

Payment for supplies delivered under contract may be considerably expedited by
furnishing the contractor with blank vouchers. When he sends his bill on he should enter
in the gridiron on the vouchers the total amount of his bill, sign the vouchers, and return
to the purchasing depot. When the goods have been received, payment can be made with-
out waiting to send the vouchers in the usual manner. In this way several days can
usually be saved, which will be a considerable help to contractors at this time.

In time of peace the expense involved in producing the quantities called for
in Medical Department contracts was relatively small. Financial accommoda-
tions were secured easily by the manufacturers from the local banks with
which they did business, and no material inconvenience resulted from the delay
in making payments. With war expansion the situation changed. The pro-
duction of the great quantity of supplies required called for the expenditures
of large sums of money, both for raw materials and increased labor, as well as
for expansion of manufacturing facilities and the financial risks increased.
Accommodations at the banks became increasingly more difficult to obtain.
The manufacturers had to depend more and more upon moneys received from
the Government in payment for the supplies delivered. Delays between the
shipment of supplies and receipt of payment became increasingly inconvenient.
Some short cut became necessary. Furthermore, due to the transportation sit-
uation at the end of 1917, the majority of shipments of medical and hospital
supplies were being made on Government bills of lading. The supplies were
being inspected at the factories by representatives of the Government acting
on behalf of the Medical Department. It was decided therefore to accept
deliveries at the contractor's plant. Accordingly, the following instructions to
officers in charge of the purchasing of medical supplies were issued by the
Surgeon General, December 20, 1917. They remained in force throughout the
remainder of the war. 3

Many complaints arc reaching this office from contractors in regard to the delay in remit-
tances to them for goods delivered. The conditions will probably continue to get worse as
banking conditions become less favorable.

I have discussed this matter with the legal advisors of this office, and it seems to be the
consensus of opinion that contractors who have agreed to deliver goods f. o. b. the point of
manufacture should not be compelled to wait for several weeks (in some cases) for their
money.

It is directed that in future you proceed in the following manner, in so far as contracts
calling for delivery f. o. b. point of manufacture are concerned.

A copy of the Government bill of lading signed by the agent of the railroad receiving the
goods for shipment accompanying the bills will be sufficient evidence of delivery, and you
are directed to pay such bills without waiting for notification of their arrival at destination,
unless the destination is your depot. This should apply to reputable dealers only. Any
discrepancies that may be discovered in the amount delivered or quality, etc., of goods may
be adjusted at a later date.

Supplies to be delivered at your depot or at points designated in the contract other than
the point of manufacture should not be paid for until actually delivered by the con-
tractor.

It is further directed that you expedite payments as much as possible by promptly for-
warding vouchers and checks.

Under this method of making payment it was possible for the contractor to
receive payment for the articles shipped before they actually had reached their

PROCUREMENT

231

destination. This method was applied of course only to those contracts which
called for delivery f. o. b. cars at the manufacturer's plant. If a contract
called for delivery at the depot the supplies were shipped on commercial bills
of lading and delivery was not accepted until the articles had actually arrived
at the depot. In case a shortage was found in shipments accepted at the
manufacturer's plant when the car arrived at its destination, an investigation
was at once started to determine whether the loss had occurred in transit, in
which case the transportation company became responsible for the shortage.
If the investigation developed the fact that the full quantities had not been
loaded in the car at the factory, adjustments were made in subsequent pay-
ments. While this system was in operation very few adjustments were
necessary.

It was the continued effort of the supply service of the Medical Department
throughout the war to make payments to the contractors at the earliest pos-
sible date after the receipt and acceptance of articles shipped. In the earlier
purchasing there was an insufficient number of trained personnel to handle the
various procedures necessary to the preparation of the vouchers and some
delay resulted. As the organization of the disbursing officers increased and
became more efficient, the delays were reduced. The number of vouchers
handled increased from month to month. During the summer and fall of 1918,
the number of vouchers handled by the disbursing officer in the Surgeon Gen-
eral's Office exceeded 10,000 per month. The major part of the appropria-
tions for the Medical Department was disbursed by the disbursing officers in
the Surgeon General's Office and the disbursing officer at the Medical Supply
Depot, New York. The disbursements made by the disbursing officer at the
various depots of the Medical Department, both in the United States and with
the American Expeditionary Forces are shown in the following tables: 4

Disbursements of medical and hospital department funds by disbursing officers, Medical

Department

January
February . . -

March

April .

May

June

July

August

September .

October

November .
December.,

11117

Surgeon Gen-
eral's Office

W37,

120,

218,

131,

1B2,

371,

768,

,189,

, 194,

,193,

,193,

January..-.
February ..

March

April

May

June

July

August. ...
September

October

November .
December,.

5,049,

338. 112
771.94
480. 40
351.53
658. 21
296.91)
394. 40
076. 43
640. 85
720. 39
877. 39
281.56

3. 722,

3. 707,

4, 927,
6, 729,

6, 813,
8,306,
8, 554,

7, 232,
7, 574,

8, 547,
7, 135,
8, 267,

IKI2. 42
328. 42
208. 46
342. 67
601.52
929. 65
294.82
143.54
704.47
038.09
528.41
983.84

98, 348, 994. 99

New York City

$199, 029. 07

102, 484. 57

83, 935. 69

76, 385. 98

107, 127. 17

261,999.71

772, 622. 89

831,224.58

2, 462, 693. 72

2, 605, 767. 01

1,660,852.47

2,723,047.57

3,831,149.05
3,208,034.1(1
4,781.057.02
5,259,491.68
4, 146, 798. 18
3, 432, 442. 61
2, 907, 186. 27
3,063,440.22
3,478,411.03

2, 997, 665. 74

3, 338, 356. 03
2, 290, 392. 95

54,621,595.31

• t. Louis, Mo. Atlanta, Oa.

$53,041.74
26, 307. 84
16,151.82

29, OIK). 33
27, 457. 59
42,510.02

30, 145. 89
88, 201. 75

146,644.96
195, 867. 89
255,357.92
221,791.62

195,791.97
133, 733. 14
146, 538. 63
127, 088. 87
139,876.00
150, 697. 35
127.502.91
199,651.04
93, 384. 89
145,463.93
1 16, 654. 38
174,733.79

2, 883, 662. 87

$2, 827. 68
12.060.18
12, 982. 48
16, 095. 13
12,509.41
15,703.63

15, 559. 39
13, 348. 68
15, 473. 32
16, 297. 27
9. 125. 17
17, 320. 49

4, 862. 20
16, 956. 46

5, 825. 35
11,376.06
29, 740. 10
16,302.62

244,365.62

Philadelphia San Antonio,
Pa. Tex.

$4, 505. 72
3, 197. 75
7. 042. 94
10, 496. 21
21,497.58

23.712.33
18,001.90
18,200.47
10, 952. 66
12, 977. 20
19,885.71
15, 496. 76
11,077.47
12, 870. 79
8, 284. 26
13.518.35
27, 273. 45

238,991.55

$9,618.28
9. 457. 16
11,553.20
8, 897. 97
11,834.88
12,390.35
14, 508. 63
15,546.51
19, 584. 05
21,626.29
14,616.66
27,275.65

28, 469. 69
42,822.76
25,918. 1C
50, 880. 94
25, 138. 03
33,331.60
29,245.71
65,630.41
38,578.09
38, 759. 62
67, 278. 72
56, 286. 65

679, 250. 01

232

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Disbursements of medical and hospital department funds by disbursing officers, Medical

Department — Continued

1917

January

February

March __ __.

April

May

June

July... _.

August

September

October

November

December

1918

January

February

March ._

April

May

June _.

July

August

September

October

November

December

San Fran-
cisco, Calif.

$6, 969. 83
3,316.011
4, 498. 79
5, 649. 08
4,883.81
11,353.64
7, 857. 55
21,963.72
15,537.80
19, 280. 29
17,787.93
33,801.13

2.5, 753. 1 1
14, 645. 56

17, 762. 77
18,047. 60
21,711.67
32.929.72
14, 380. 83
18, 297. 65

18. 467. 57
12, 360. 13
22, 687. 50
25, 722. 48

395,566.82

Louisville,
Ky.

$1, 088. t.3
2.113.50
3, 426. 31
1,904.56

5, 152. 91

21,685.71

154, 218. 00

43,218.81

366, 888. 57

337, 164. 42

870, 003. 98

598, 469. 86

522, 905. 15

28, 949. 59

2, 957, 190. 00

France

England Other depots Grand total

$21, 133.70
60,617.49
41,146.85

109, 945. 72
201, 759. 47
378, 855. 23
958, 958. .88
382, 240. 12
870,458.65
533, 256. 79
591,442.88
586,791.03
576, 448. 94
320, 309. 61
764, 480. 51

6, 397, 855. 87

$26, 156. 27
149,727.49
146, 238. 82
74, 690. 62
159,577.33
912, 879. 47
209. 036. 26
221,047.08

$4, 834. 73

$510, 832. 27

3,151.64

265, 489. 81

6, 090. 21

341,310.11

3, 047. 15

254, 292. 04

2, 866. 87

316,828.53

3,717.09

703, 273. 77

3, 950. 00

1.600,313.04

3,911.75

2, 166, 490. 64

3, 610. 63

4, 859, 980. 87

2, 762. 98

6,085,410. 12

2,541.14

5,232.082.93

2, 705. 02

8, 138, 155. 77

2, 168. 82

7,959,705.41

3. 344. 00

7, 364, 703. 80

2,081.92

10,467,913.98

2, 927. 47

13. 217, 206. 85

7, 837. 98

11,952,351.31

7, 867. 89

13, 358, 755. 58

8, 131.02

13,210,610.11

7. 651. 13

11,879,457.28

2, 610. 07

12.494, 131.74

10,913.19

13,290,139.02

3,413.43

11,256,522.79

2, 145. 78

11,846,369.15

1,899,359.31 j 105,494.57 ; 168,772,326.92

Disbursements made by medical officers during the calendar years 1917 and 1918, by

appropriations

1916-17

1917
January $163,

February .

March

April

May.

June

July

August

September.

October

November.
December.

1918
January . .
February - .

March

April

May

June

July

August

September-
October

November-
December .

63,

171,

90,

67,

111.

170,

49,

194,

8,

1.

5.

075. 57
451.00
055. 90
640. 92
844. 89
603.48
890. 119
414.71
529.11
708. 88
914.05
140. 38

2.251.78
548. 43

5, 237. 62
421.23
150. 37
929. 76
21.60
900. 89
15.29
299.96
311.04
754. 09

1,110,177.10

$347, 756. 70
202. 038. 81
170,254.15
163,651.12
248, 983. 64
280, 733. 26
310,298.03
180, 107. 27
126,207.56
136,882.91
9, 049. 48
I. 829. 33

4, 747. 17

1, 579. 53

6, 902. 40

2.18

2, 200, 143. 54

$304, 937. 63
1,108.285.97
1, 902, 663. 80
4,504,391.01
5,899,683.71
4, 318, 904. 09
3, 899, 491. 39

2, 914, 197. 44
901,111,31
732, 53(1. 90
692,318.08
544, (104. 81
397, 346. 62
121, 209. 80
31,088.16
80, 634. 03
7,683.52
197, 158. 35
233, 025. 22

28,790,731.42

1918

$10, 838. 95
28. 244. 80
34.8:3. 19
40, 074. 02

902,215.31
4, 228, 688. 67

110.(19
355. 78
372. SO
128.70
327.31
881.71
336. 36
102.01
099.88
039.21
913. 73
S20. 79

1919

$193,572.20
1,743,949.72
4,761,835.90
8,217,972.51
10,147,574. 11
10,101,042.73

Increased
compensa-
tion

$392. 93
2, 108. 75

1, 804. 20

2, 330. 06
1, 808. 82
1,597.49

470. 09
416.50
13, 540. 04
8. 143. 82
7, 565. 50
6, 72B. 32

$510,

265,

341,

254,

316,

703,

1,000,

2, 166,

4, 859,

0, 085,

5, 232,

8, 138,

832. 27

489. 81
310.11
292. 04
828. 53
273. 77
313.04

490. 04
980.87
410.12
082. 93
155.77

7, 959,
7, 304,
10.467,
13,217,
11,952,
13, 358,
13,210,
11,879,
12,494,
13, 290,
11,256,
11,846,

05.41
03. 80
913. 98
206. 85
351. 31
75.5. 58
610.11
457. 2S
131.74
139. 02
522. 79
369. 15

101,388,409.91 35,225,947. 17 40,917.78 168,772,326.92

PROCUREMENT 233

KEFERENCES

(1) Second indorsement, from the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New York, to

Supply Division, S. G. O., Washington, D. C, October 22, 1917, relative to payment

437
for supplies. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — |—

(2) Third indorsement, War Department, S. G. O., to the officer in charge, Medical Supply

Depot, St. Louis, Mo., October 25, 1917, relative to payment for supplies. On file,

437
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -= —

(3) Letter from the Surgeon General's Office, to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply

Depot, Washington, D. C, December 20, 1917. Subject: Payments to contractors.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - 13 ~ 75 ° 1 ^ ash- D -

(4) Compiled from accounts current of various disbursing officers, Medical Department, on

file in the General Accounting Office.

SECTION III

FIELD EQUIPMENT

CHAPTER XIV

INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT

The paraphernalia or equipment required by the medical department of an
army, to enable it to fulfill adequately its mission in the salvage of men, must
be diversified. It must be especially selected to meet the conditions under
which the services of that department are to be rendered and to the kind of
treatment required. Those services extend from the battle line at the front to
the fixed hospitals in the home territory or zone of the interior, and cover every
phase of medical science. The equipment provided must meet these varied
conditions all along the line where it is to be used. Far back in the home
territory are the great general hospitals, fixed institutions where varied and
extensive treatment can be given for as long periods of time as the needs of the
individual patient may require. There the equipment is, as it should be, elab-
orate and in keeping with the character of the treatment to be given. It varies
with the classes of disabilities to be treated. One hospital may be devoted
entirely to a special class of cases, such as orthopedic, maxillofacial, neuropsy-
chiatric, tuberculous, etc.; another may treat all classes of cases. The equip-
ment in either event must be adapted to the kind of disabilities to be treated
in the institution. The personnel, augmented from the surrounding civil
community, must be as numerous and as skilled as required for the most
effectual handling of the patients admitted. The equipment of general hospitals
corresponds very closely to that of the best of the larger civil hospitals, and is
fully equal to them.

As one goes toward the front, the type of hospitals and equipment changes.
In the communications zone will be found the base hospitals. These are large
institutions for the definitive treatment of acute conditions, both wounds and
disease. The surgery here is less hurried than that at the front and is devoted
to the operations of election. The less seriously wounded remain in these hos-
pitals until their wounds are healed and they are fit to be sent to convalescent
camps for further recuperation or to be returned to their commands for duty.
The permanently disabled and those not likely to be fit for duty within three
months, whether incapacitated by wounds or by disease, are evacuated to the
general hospitals in the home territory as soon as their condition and the state
of transport will permit. Consequently these base hospitals, while fixed, are
much less permanently so than the general hospitals; their equipment, though
adequate for the work required of them, is less complex, extensive, and' elabo-
rate than that of general hospitals. Already the question of transportation has

235

236 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

begun to play a part in the selection of articles of equipment. Uniformity of
equipment has also become essential. These hospitals may be near the combat
zone or hundreds of miles from the scene of action. They must have adequate
rail transportation, sidings, and loading platforms.

As the combat zone is entered the type of equipment again changes. Here
mobility of the unit and transportability of its equipment become imperative.
In this zone the service becomes active and the treatment emergency in charac-
ter. Several types of units of personnel and equipment are required from the
evacuation hospitals, just out of range of the enemies' heavy artillery, to the regi-
mental detachments on the battle field. The equipment of the evacuation
hospital is limited and mobile but is sufficiently extensive for all emergency
surgery and the primary treatment of the wounded. The patients remain in
these hospitals only long enough to be fitted for the journey to the base hospi-
tals in the communications zone.

In advance of the evacuation hospitals are the field hospitals, ambulance
companies, and regimental units. The equipment provided each of these units
is in conformity with its mission. Mobility is the dominant factor. To achieve
this the articles of equipment of these units must be compact, strong, durable,
and as light as possible consistent with their mission. They must be able to-
stand field transportation and rough usage incident to frequent changes of loca-
tion made necessary by changing battle conditions. The complexity of the
equipment must be reduced to the simplest essentials compatible with the effi-
cient functioning of the particular unit.

The equipment provided for the several units of the Medical Department
in the combat zone and on field duty generally for many years has been desig-
nated field equipment. The articles used by those units have long been known
as field supplies. In the combat zone three types, units, or sets of equipment
are provided, viz, that furnished regimental medical detachments for rendering
first-aid treatment, including aid stations; that for sanitary trains, including
ambulance companies and field hospitals; and that for evacuation hospitals.
The mobility of the unit and its equipment increases from the rear to the front,
reaching its maximum in the regimental detachments with the combat troops.
The equipment of such detachments, because of the place in which it was
intended to be used, came, in 1916, to be called combat equipment, and is so-
listed in the standard supply table. The combat equipment can be transported
on a cart, on a pack mule, or, if the need arises, it can be carried on litters by
members of the detachment.

The equipment to be provided for any Medical Department unit consists
ordinarily of two parts, the individual equipment and the unit equipment. The
former is provided for the immediate use of the individual member of the unit
and is, for the most part, carried on his person. The latter is the equipment
ordinarily required by the unit in the performance of its mission. Individual
equipment may be divided again into two parts, personal and technical. The
personal equipment is for the use of the individual in the care of himself. It
consists of his clothing, mess equipment, and temporary or emergency shelter
(shelter tent). The technical equipment includes articles designed for the care
of others in the performance of the general mission of the individual as such

FIELD EQUIPMENT

237

and differentiated from the mission of the unit as a whole. The individual
equipment accompanies the soldier on every change of station. It is issued to
him and he is responsible for it. It goes with him when transferred from one
organization to another. The unit equipment, on the other hand, moves with
the unit to which issued.

The technical equipment provided for the individual use of Medical Depart-
ment personnel naturally divides into two groups, that for the officer and that
for the enlisted assistant. The two differ materially.

FOR MEDICAL OFFICERS

During the decade prior to the World War, the conception that the medical
officer with combat troops would perform operations on the field of battle or at
the dressing or aid stations was gradually abandoned. The conception that
it was the duty of such officers under combat conditions simply to protect the
wound by a suitable occlusive dressing, relieve pain and shock so far as prac-
ticable, and to supervise and expedite the removal of the wounded to the first
hospital unit in the rear, gradually grew. Accordingly, when the equipment
of the Hospital Corps was undergoing revision during 1913-1915, a correspond-
ing unit of individual equipment was devised for the medical officer. 1 The
contents of this equipment appear below. 2

M. M. D. 864.

Individual equipment, medical officer

Article

Belt, web, medical officer's number. _

Case:

Instrument (par. 919) .. . --do

Medicine (par. 920) -do

Diagnosis tags books..

Flask, empty, for morphine solution ._ number,.

Syringe, hypodermic (par. 956) do

Extra needles for —do

Thermometer, clinical do

A

B

1

1

1

1

1

1

12

1

1 M.

M.
M.
M.
M.
M.

12 M.
I M.

Note.— The articles included in the above list constitute special equipment carried only by medical officers below
the grade of lieutenant colonel. Field equipment pertaining to officers in general is given in Uniform Kegulations.

M. M. D. 919.

Bistoury, straight number-
Container, metal, for scalpel and bis-
toury number.- 1

Forceps:

Artery and needle, Abbey's. do 1

Hemostatic, Jones's do 1

Mouse-tooth, Liston's do 1

Needle, aneurism and grooved director

combined number.. 1

Needles, surgical, assorted- .number.- 12

Case, instrument, for medical officer's belt
(In khaki-colored canvas case)
1

Scalpel do

Scissors, straight do

Sutures:

Catgut, plain, sterilized, 18 inches
each, 3 sizes in package

package. .

Silk, braided, sterilized, 18 inches
each, 3 sizes in package
package..

Pilulse cathartica) composite

Pulvis ipecacuanhas et opii mgm__ 324

Quininre sulphas do 200

238 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

M. M. D. 920.

Case, Medicine, for medical officer's bell

(A metal case, with clips for five h. r. bottles containing the following tablets)

A cet phene t idinu m (phenacetin)

mgiii. _ 324

Mistura glycyrrhizie composita (par.
902)

Note. — Any medical officer may make such substitutions in the contents of his own
case as he may desire.

It was intended originally that the belt of this outfit should be woven in
a manner similar to the standard cartridge belt furnished combat troops.
The specifications of this belt as prepared by the board which developed
it are as follows:

BELT FOR MEDICAL OFFICERS

(Revised model; February, 1916)

The revised model of the belt for medical officers shall consist of one pair of specially
woven carriers and one 2^-incIi back adjustment strap 26 inches long.

Adjustment strap. — The adjustment strap shall be made of 2J^-inch ribbed web. Each
end of the strap shall be fitted with a brass end piece having an end hook properly formed
to engage the adjustment eyelets set in the rear wall of the carriers. Three eyelets and
washers shall be inserted -fg inch from the top selvage of the strap, one eyelet being set in
the center of the strap and the other two, 1H inches center to center on each side of the
center eyelet. In like manner eyelets and washers shall be set along the lower selvage of
the strap, the first eyelet set in the center and eight eyelets set l]4, inches center to center on
each side of the center, making a total of 17 eyelets and washers in the lower selvage of the
strap.

Carriers. — Each carrier shall be woven in one piece except for the covering flaps, and
shall have two pockets, one large and one small, the large pocket being toward the front of
the belt on both carriers. The back wall of each carrier shall be woven in two cloths for a
depth of % inch, thus forming a housing slit in whieh the covering flaps are stitched. The
pocket shall be fitted with both front and side flaps to protect the contents from the
weather. The flap on the large pockets shall have two caps bearing the eagle design, and
two sockets to properly engage the studs set in the pocket, and the small pockets shall
have one complete Mills fastener. In each of the small pockets shall be stitched to the
rear wall of the carrier a 54-inch lifting strap fitted complete with a small fastener. In the
small pocket of the left carrier shall be stitched a dividing partition. Round eyelets and
washers shall be inserted in each carrier along both top and bottom selvages between the
two pockets and just beyond the outer wall of each 'pocket. Five pairs of adjustment
eyelets shall be set in the back wall of each carrier centered so as to permit the end hook
on the adjustment strap to engage in these pairs of eyelets. One pair shall be set
between the two pockets, three pairs shall be set 1^ inches center to center in the back
wall of the large pocket, and one pair shall be set in the selvage beyond the front wall of
the large pocket and on a line connecting the eyelets in the upper and low r er selvages,
respectively. At the rear end of each carrier shall be inserted and stitched a 23^-inch
chane having a double-bar gridiron or slide through which the back adjustment strap
is inserted. On the front end of the right carrier shall be inserted and stitched a 2J^-inch
chape having the regulation 2%-inch Army male toggle fastener, and in the front end of
the left carrier shall likewise be stitched a chape having the female part of the fastener.

General. — The adjustment strap, carriers, flaps, and chapes shall be woven of fast-color
olive-drab yarn subject to the regulation Government tests and shall be free from imper-
fections of weave and finish. The stitching of the carriers shall be with 30/3 olive-drab linen
thread, approximately 10 stitches per inch. All metal parts shall be of brass and the end
pieces, eyelets, washers, toggle fasteners, and fastener caps shall be finished in dull bronze.
The belt complete shall be made to conform to the standard approved sample.

FIELD EQUIPMENT

239

-
i

240

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The requirements for woven belts for the combat branches of the Army
proved to be so great that it became necessary to adopt a sewed or stiched belt
as a substitute and to make certain changes in the processes of manufacture.
The stitched belt conformed in design to the woven belt. The changes made
in the woven belt were as follows:

CHANGES IN THE MEDICAL OFFICER'S BELT

1. Pocket flaps. — In order to increase the speed of manufacture and thereby promote
more rapid delivery of these belts, a change in the pocket flap to be authorized so that this
flap shall conform in design to a sample submitted June 13, 1917, to be approved; this change
to apply to both flaps on each of the carriers of this belt.

2. Retaining strap. — Omit the retaining strap from the small pocket in each carrier of this
belt.

The following table gives the number of these belts purchased during the

years 1917-18. 3

Web belts, medical officer's

Date

Contractor

Quantity

ordered

Price

$3.42
3.42
3.42
3.42
2.55

Quantity
delivered

Gross
cost

2,700
8, (100
7,300
10, 000
11,000

2,700

5,000

7, 35(1

10,000

11,000

$9, 234. 00

Oct. 23, 1917*

.do

do

17,100.00
25, 157. 52

Jan. 9, 1918 *
Apr. 18, 1918"

.do

34, 200. 00
28, 050. 00

Total - -

36, 000

' 3. 154

3IS, 056

113,711.52

• Contracts placed by the Medical Department, stitched belt.
1 Contracts placed by the Ordnance Department.
' Average.

FOR ENLISTED MEN, MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

Hospital Corps and orderly pouches were used with satisfaction through
the Spanish-American War, the Philippine insurrection, the Boxer rebellion,
and by the Army in the field for a number of years. The pouch possessed
many advantages, but it also had a few rather serious disadvantages. Unless
the web shoulder strap was passed under the belt the pouch would swing to
the front and was in the bearer's way while ministering to the needs of a
patient lying on the ground. Under those conditions it was to be removed
and placed on the ground, where it was apt to become soiled or upset and its
contents spilled. A few years prior to the World War, improved equipment
was being adopted for both Infantry and Cavalry, and it appeared to the
Surgeon General desirable that a study be made to determine whether the
new equipment of those arms could be adapted to the needs of the Hospital
Corps. 4 Accordingly, a board of medical officers was appointed in December,
1913, at Texas City, Tex., for this purpose. 5 Such models of suggested
improvements in this equipment as were available were furnished the board.
One of these was a Hospital Corps belt, with a small hand ax to replace the
Hospital Corps knife. 6

The board submitted sketches of belts for both medical officers and
enlisted men in June, 1914. Sample belts were made in accordance with the
sketches and sent to the board for trial. 7 Before a definite conclusion had
been reached by this board it ceased to function because its members had
been ordered to stations elsewhere. 8 Accordingly a new board was appointed
in September, 1914, at Washington, D. C. 9 For continuity of action this board

FIELD EQUIPMENT

241

was composed of two of the members of the original board and one new mem-
ber. Members of the board visited the manufacturers' plants and personally
supervised the development of a belt designed to carry the first-aid equipment
of the Hospital Corps soldier. 10 A sample of the equipment as finally recom-
mended met the approval of the Surgeon General. 11 This equipment consisted
of a web belt with pockets for the first-aid material, with an adaptation of the
Cavalry ration bags instead of a haversack in which to carry rations, and a
blanket roll for the shelter tent half, blanket, and extra clothing for prolonged
field service. 12 Five hundred of these belts were purchased through the Ord-
nance Department in April, 1915. 13 They were delivered by the manufacturer
to the field medical supply depot, Washington, D. C. 14 There they were filled and
distributed to the several ambulance companies and field hospital companies
within the territorial limits of the United States. 15 The reports from the com-
manding officers of these units on the new equipment were uniformly favor-
able. On January 10, 1916, the board submitted its report and recommendation
in favor of the new equipment, which received the approval of the Secretary of
War. 16 The equipment recommended by the board was incorporated in the
supply table of 1916, as prescribed by paragraph 865, Manual for the Medical
Department, as follows:

M. M. D. 865.

Individual equipment, Hospital Corps

Article

Source

Remarks

(a)

Belt, web, Hospital Corps number.

Contents of (par. 907) do...

Can, condiment do...

Canteen do...

Canteen cover, dismounted do.__

Fork .do...

Hand as, Infantry' ...do...

Hand-ax carrier do...

Hanger, canteen do.__

Knife-. do...

Meat can do...

Poucb for diagnosis tags and instruments do...

Ration bags, Cavalry pairs.

Shelter tent half number.

Shelter tent pole do...

Shelter tent pins do...

Spoon - do...

(b)

Bar, mosquito, single number..

Bed sack do.

Cot do .

Field kit, clothing component 2 do

Overcoat do

Surplus kit' do .

Sweater .. do

(*)

C)
1
1

M
M
O
O
O
O
O

M
O
O
M
O
Q
(/
Q
o

Q

q

Q
Q
Q
Q
Q

1 Carried on belt when dismounted; in
I pommel pocket when mounted.

' 1 for every 2 men.

Carried on the person or saddle.
For winter use only.
Carried in surplus kit bag.
When prescribed only.

1 Detachment commanders are authorized to reduce, by 4 inches, the length of the handle of the hand ax issued to
the Hospital Corps providing the change is made in a workmanlike manner. The shorter handle will be especially
necessary for use by mounted men.

2 The clothing component of the field kit includes the clothing actually worn by the soldier and that carried
on the person or saddle. This is supplemented by the surplus kit, the two together constituting the clothing component
of the service kit. The articles contained in each of these kits are given in general orders.

Note.— The method of packing the equipment for mounted and dismounted men is described in Drill Regulations
and Service Manual for Sanitary Troops.

" Though this equipment gave entire satisfaction in the preliminary trials, it did not withstand the test of actual
war. The medical belt and the Medical Department pack for enlisted men proved a source of much dissatisfaction,
both as to methods of packing and contents, thus leading the board of medical officers, appointed by the chief surgeon,
A. E. F., to recommend the discontinuance of the belt principle. See last paragraph, p. 837, and footnote on p. 83H, Vol.
1 1.— Ed.

30663—28 16

242

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

WEB BELTS

As has already been indicated, the individual equipment of the enlisted
personnel, Medical Department, is divided into two quite definite and distinct
parts. The one is required for his own comfort and well-being; the other
provides him with the "tools of his trade." The former is contained in the
pack; that is, ration bags and blanket roll. The latter consists of the web belt,
model 1916, and contents. The contents of the belt were prescribed in para-
graph 907, Manual for the Medical Department, 1916, given here in full.

M. M. D. 907.

Belt, web, Hospital Corps

(The belt itself, with pouch for instruments, is furnished by the Medical Department)
CONTENTS OF BELT

Article

Quan-
tity-

Bandages, gauze, compressed - number..

Gauze, sublimated, two '^-yard pieces in package packages..

Individual dressing packets" (par. 949) number,.

Iodine swabs, 6 in box boxes..

Pins

Common ..papers,.

Safety ...dozen..

Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 5 yards by 1 inch spools.,

Spiritus ammonias aromaticus, in flask with cup flasks,.

Tourniquet, field number,.

Place in belt. (Pockets are numbered
from left front around belt to right
front)

6 Pocket No. 9.

2 I Pocket No. 3.
10 Pockets Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

2 I Pocket No. 2.

M Pocket No. 10, front compartment.
1 Pocket No. 1, front compartment.

1 I Pocket No. 1.
1 Pocket No. 10.
1 Pocket No. 1.

CONTENTS OF POUCH

Case, linen or canvas containing: Forceps, dress-
ing number..

Scissors, dressing do

Pencil, lead, with metal cap., number..

Tags, diagnosis books,.

1

Note. — Medical officers are authorized to make such changes as they desire in the expendable contents of the belts
worn by their orderlies. Under some circumstances it may also be desirable to make substitutions in the contents of
belts worn by noncommissioned officers. In case of transfer of the belt to another medical officer the standard contents
Should be restored.

The specifications for the manufacture of the belt were as follows:

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BELT FOR HOSPITAL CORPS

Bell. — The belt shall be woven into one solid fabric, except for the flaps covering the
pockets, approximately 4 inches wide, the pocket space being of sufficient length for 10
pockets, and the 4-inch plain web billet extending on each end beyond the pockets. Eighty-
five per cent of the belts are to have lOJ^-inch billets; 10 per cent to have 12J^-inch, and
5 per cent to have 14H-inch billets. Both billets shall be fitted with brass end pieces
having end hooks to properly engage the adjustment eyelets. The back wall of the belt
shall be woven in two cloths for a depth of three-fourths inch, thus forming a housing slit in
which the covering flaps for the pockets are attached. The lower front selvage of the
belts shall be so woven as to permit the insertion of eyelets arid washers in the double back
wall without interfering with the front or pocket fabric of the belt.

Pockets. — Eight pockets shall be of the proper size to carry two first-aid packets. The
pocket at each end shall be made smaller and a partition stitched in same so that the rear sec-
tion shall be of proper size to carry one first-aid packet and the front section to carry a
package of pins or other articles. In each of the two end pockets shall be inserted and
stitched to the back wall of the belt a J^-inch lifting strap to properly retain the contents
of the outside section and also to more easily withdraw the first-aid packet. This lifting
strap shall be fitted with a small Mills fastener. All of the pockets shall be fitted with
both front and side covering flaps to protect the contents from the weather. Each flap
shall be fitted with socket and bronzed cap bearing the Army eagle design to properly
engage the stud of the fastener set in the nockets.

FIELD EQUIPMENT 243

Eyelets. —In each of the billets shall be inserted four pairs of adjustment eyelets, in
which the hooks of the end piece are to engage. Similar adjustment eyelets shall also be
set in the back of the belt between the first and second, second and third, and third and
fourth pockets on each side, and also set centered in the back wall of each of the first three
pockets on each side. On the belts having longer billets, additional pairs of adjustment
eyelets shall be set. Between each two pockets and outside the last pocket on each side
shall be set eyelets and washers along the top selvages, in which the hooks of the sus-
penders may be inserted. Oval eyelets and washers shall be inserted in the back wall of
the belt along the lower selvage between each two pockets. Round eyelets and washers
shall be inserted in the lower selvage on the inside and outside of the outer side wall of the
last pocket at each end of the belt. These eyelets and washers in the lower selvage shall
be properly spaced so that the regulation hanger may be inserted therein.

Fasteners. — Each belt shall be equipped with 4-ineli toggle fasteners of the same design
as used on the regulation United States Army cartridge belt.

Pouch for diagnosis tags and instruments. — With each belt shall be furnished one
specially woven pouch of the proper size to carry the diagnosis tags and instruments. This
shall have a covering flap complete with two Mills fasteners and shall have attached to the
back a hanger and wire double-end hook to be inserted in the eyelets along the lower
selvage of the belt.

Canteen hanger. — There shall also be furnished with each belt a hanger for carrying
the canteen. This shall have the regulation double-end hanger wire for inserting in the
eyelets of the lower selvage of the belt and shall also have two eyelets properly spaced to
engage the wire hanger on the canteen cover.

Ax carrier. — The ax carrier used with this belt shall be the regulation carrier, United
States Army, model of 1910.

General. — All the fabric shall be woven of fast-color olive-drab yarn, subject to the
regulation Government tests, and shall be free from imperfections of weave and finish.
The stitching of the belts and other articles shall be with 30/3 olive-drab linen thread,
approximately 10 stitches per inch. The toggle fasteners, fastener caps, hanger wires, end
pieces, and eyelets shall be of brass finished in dull bronze. All articles are to conform to
the standard approved sample.

Figure 2 shows the belt, and contents. It will be noted that the belt
described above was a woven belt which required special machinery and could be
furnished only by one manufacturer. Additional machinery for weaving them
was difficult to obtain. The demand for woven belts for combat troops was very
great. It became imperative that modifications be made in the Hospital Corps
belt to permit of a wider distribution for manufacture. A substitute belt, sewed
or stitched, was authorized in June, 1917, and the manufacturer was permitted to
supply both types. 17 The following changes proposed by the manufacturer
were agreed upon and deliveries accepted accordingly:

Changes in Hospital Corps Belt

Because of the existing emergency which must continue for some months, and the urgent
demand for the earliest possible production of a large quantity of these belts, the following
changes are suggested, with the view to simplify manufacture and therefore increase the
average daily product per operative.

CHANGES IN THE REGULATION BELT

1. Eyelets. — Omit six pairs of adjustment eyelets, three pairs at either end of the belt,
each of these pairs being set in the middle of the back of the first, second, and third pockets
from each end; the adjustment eyelets between the pockets to remain as now.

2. Pocket flap. — For the pointed boxed pocket flap, as shown in the drawings, substitute
a new model of flap as illustrated in a sample submitted June 13, 1917, to be approved.

3. Retaining strap. — The retaining straps in the two end pockets of the belt to be
hereafter omitted.

244

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

FIELD EQUIPMENT 245

PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE BELT

111 lieu of the woven regulation belt, delivery to be authorized of a substitute belt to be
manufactured of olive-drab duek of as good quality as to cloth and color as the haversack
and pack carrier forming part of the Infantry equipment; in design this belt to be as nearly
as practicable a duplicate of the regulation woven belt, but of such form that it may be
produced on sewing machines; the belt in length, width, size of pockets, position and
number of eyelets, method of adjustment, and all other essential details to be as nearly like
the regulation woven belt as possible, and to be Interchangeable with it as to application
thereto of other articles of equipment or of the standard contents.

Substitute diagnosis tag pouch. — In order to apply all weaving machinery possible to the
production of belts readily producible only by such machinery, the diagnosis tag pouch may
be manufactured of duck of the same quality as to cloth and color as the substitute Hospital
Corps belt; a sample of this substitute diagnosis tag pouch to be approved as a pattern.

Note. — The belt for enlisted men must have the hanger for canteen.

At the time of the declaration of war, April 6, 1917, the Ordnance Depart-
ment was charged with the supply of certain individual equipment to the
combat troops. Because of the similarity of the web belt adopted for the
Hospital Corps to that of the cartridge belt for combat troops, the
procurement of web belts for the commissioned and enlisted personnel of the
Medical Department had devolved upon the Ordnance Department. The
estimated requirements for medical officers' and Hospital Corps belts were
transmitted to the Ordnance Department officially in Juno, 1917. 1S The details
had previously been discussed by representatives of both departments. These
estimates called for a total of 15,000 officers' belts and 150,000 Hospital Corps
belts. Orders for 10,000 Hospital Corps belts had been placed by the Ordnance
Department in December, 1916, 19 and for 2,700 officers' belts and 6,600 Hospital
Corps belts in March, 1917. 20 These orders were included in the totals above
stated. The manufacturer of these belts in a personal interview with a
representative of the Surgeon General's Office, June 15, 1917, promised delivery
of 15,000 medical officers' belts in three months, 37,000 Hospital Corps belts by
September 1, 75,000 by November 1, and to complete the delivery of the entire
150,000 by February 1, 1918. 21

It was early foreseen that the issue of the web belt by the Ordnance
Department and its contents by the Medical Department would be most
unsatisfactory. Neither belt nor its contents could be used without the other.
The Surgeon General accordingly proposed, June 15, 1917, that proper orders
be issued directing the Medical Department to supply the belts as well as their
contents. 18 The Ordnance Department was requested to purchase the belts
and deliver them to the Medical Department at the field medical supply depot,
Washington, D. C. Reimbursement of the Ordnance Department was to be
effected by a Treasury transfer of funds in the customary manner. 18 The belts
were to be filled with the prescribed contents at the field medical supply depot
and issued complete as a unit. This would insure uniformity of contents and
a greater certainty of supply. The proposed plan was approved by the Ord-
nance Department June 27, 1917, 22 and by the War Department July 3, 1917. 23
The Chief of Ordnance advised on June 27 that steps wece being taken to pro-
cure, with the least practicable delay, the number of belts requested. 22 The
Chief of Ordnance advised of the adoption of a substitute stitched belt and

246 FINANCE AXD SUPPLY

stated that it was expected that 10,000 medical officers' belts and 40,000 Hos-
pital Corps belts would be ready for delivery by the first part of September. 22
The belts to be procured included a pouch for diagnosis tags and a canteen
hanger. 18 Arrangements were perfected shortly thereafter whereby any belts
in the possession of medical detachments would be transferred to the Medical
Department, accounted for on the property returns of that department, 24 issued
to the authorized personnel as personal equipment. This information was fur-
nished all Medical Department personnel in August by a supply letter from the
Surgeon General's Office, and was republished in December, 1917, in Compilation
of Supply Letters, Nos. 1 to 23, inclusive. (See appendix, p. 864.)

The deliveries of belts did not materialize as promised, for officers or
enlisted men. The Regular Army was expanded in June and July to full war
strength. New Medical Department units were organized, but there were not
belts enough to equip them. Although the Chief of Ordnance reported in
June that there were 3,000 woven Hospital Corps belts on hand and 20,000
due by September l, 25 the manufacturer wired August 10 that 2,600 medical
officers' belts and 8,820 enlisted men's belts had been shipped since June 22,
and that not so many of them were being made as had been hoped owing to
the urgent requirements of other kinds of belts. 26 On August 15 the officer in
charge of field medical supply depot, Washington, reported that the total
receipts to that date were medical officers' belts 1,840, and enlisted men's belts
6,600. 27 By October 30, 1917, deliveries of medical officers' belts at that
depot were approximately 6,540 and enlisted men's belts 26,299. 28 Troops had
assembled in all the training camps, but the insistent demand for belts was not
satisfied until the following April or May. Belts in sufficient number to equip
the Medical Department personnel already overseas were sent to France from
the early deliveries. Belts were sent to the medical superintendent, Army
transport service, New York City, in August, 1917, to equip the personnel of
Medical Department organizations passing through that port. 29 The first
effort was to equip the organizations of the Regular Army, since it was
expected that they would be the first to go overseas. The remaining organi-
zations were placed on a priority list in accordance with the order in which
they were scheduled to sail, and issues made as rapidly as the belts became
available. The two primary ports of embarkation, Hoboken, N. J., and New
port News, Va., were kept stocked with belts in quantities sufficient to meet
the needs of the smaller units passing through and which could not well be
reached from the field medical supply depot. These units were dispatched at
frequent intervals, and information of their prospective departure did not often
reach the depot in time to permit shipment to their respective stations before
the units left for the port of embarkation. A stock of belts was kept at the
ports of embarkation and at the camps later assigned to receive troops for
embarkation until the need for them was terminated by reason of the armistice.

The supply of belts for both officers and enlisted men of the Medical
Department under the contracts placed by the Ordnance Department was never
sufficient to meet the needs for them. Other sources of supply were sought by
the officer in charge of the field medical supply depot. A satisfactory stitched
belt of the same design as the woven belt but made of canvas was developed

FIELD EQUIPMENT

247

and contracts for 100,000 enlisted men's belts were let in April, 1918. 30 A
contract for an additional 50,000 enlisted men's belts was let in July, 1918. 31
By the end of June, 1918, the saturation point in the demand for belts had

FIG. 3.— A pile of filled enlisted men's belts, representing a day's work, awaiting boxing for shipment at the field

medical supply depot at Washington

Fig. 4.— Showing manner of filling belts

been reached and thereafter no difficulty was experienced in meeting all
requirements.

The filling of these belts was carried on at the field medical supply depot,
Washington. Civilian employees were selected and trained to the work. A

248

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

section of the depot was set apart for their use. Each employee filled a
definite pocket in the belt. Others filled the pouch for instruments and
diagnosis tags, and still others attached these pouches and the canteen
hangers to the belts. Figure 3 shows a pile of filled belts, approximately a
day's work, waiting to be boxed for shipment; figure 4 the manner of filling
them. The number of belts purchased is given in the following table:

Contracts for, deliveries, and cost of iceb belts, enlisted men, Medical Department

Date

Dec. s,
Mar. 22,

Aug. 2X,

Sept. 14,
Mar. 2,

Apr. 18,

Do..

July 1,

I9in

1817'
1917

1917
19IX

Contract
price

CONTRACTS PLACED BY THE ORDNANCE DEPART-
MENT

Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Co.
....do -

$5. 4X
.V -IX

Contract
quantity

10. (too
i',. ooo

.do.

fS [} 20, (XXI
4. (O J

J* j 113.400

4.9*;

M.

Delivery V"™<<<>
P™' e ' ere'V

Gross

Total ordered by the Ordnance Depart raent-

CONTRACTS PLACED BY THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

1918 Hcwcs & Potter.
K. II. Long Co..
.—do

Total ordered by Medical Department

Aggregate, web hells, enlisted men, Medical.

Department...

Average cost r>er belt

4. 70 1(10. 000

$.-> Is

5.48
4.90

» 4. 75
4. 90

» 4. 75

• 4. 945
» ■ 4. 73.1

J 4. 70

250,000

M.03 .10,000
»3.95 50,000
»3. 70 50,000

6 • 2. (!»
»8.85

» 3. 70

400.0110

4.2X4

111.000

$54,800.00

1.099

0.022.52

16,030

70, 758. ni

3, 920

lx. cell, so

X40

4, IB6. 40

3110

1.710.00

31.040

150. 459. X0

xo. sno

381, 451. B0

100. (XKI

470.000.00

244,499 I 1.172.987.12

50.000

50.000
50, (Kill

134. 500. 00
197, 500. 00
1X5.000. CO

517,000.00

304,499 i 1.(1X9.9X7.12

•Onler placed at the request of the Militia Bureau to equip the National Guard hut paid for by the Medical
Department.

h Stitched or sewed belts.

< Supplemental contract prior to completion of original contract.

4 No record of the proportion of stitched and woven belts obtainable.

• Includes cost of supplies furnished hy the Medical Department, viz, duck, binding, webbing, washers, eyelets, end
fasteners, licit fasteners, and Carr (lift-the-dot) fasteners.

REFERENCES

(1) Supplementary report of board of medical officers to the Surgeon General on individual

equipment. On file, Record Room, S. G. O. (Old Files).

(2) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1916, pars. 864, 919, and 920.

(3) Compiled from records on file in the Finance Department, Miscellaneous Section —

contracts placed by the Ordnance Department, and Lieut. Col. M. A. Reasoner,
M. C., Field Medical Supply Depot, Washington, D. C.

(4) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, December 9, 1913. Subject:

Experimental tests of adaptability of new Infantry and Cavalry equipment for the
Hospital Corps. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 147549 (Old Files I.

(5) Special Orders, Xo. 328, Headquarters Second Division, Texas City, Tex., December 19,

1913. Extract on file, Record Room, 8. G. O., 147549-B (Old Files).

(6) Second indorsement, from Field Medical Supply Depot, Washington, to the Surgeon

General, February 11, 1914. Subject: Designs for service belt or roll for packing
contents, Hospital Corps pouch. On file, Record Room, S. G. O, 147549-C (Old
Files).

(7) Correspondence between Capt. Percy L. Jones, M. C, recorder of the board, the

Surgeon General, and the Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Co., June 29, 1914, to
August 25, 1914, relative to belts for Hospital Corps and medical officers. On file,
Record Room, S. G. O., 147549-E-E3 (Old Files).

FIELD EQUIPMENT 249

(8) Letter from the division surgeon, Second Division, Texas City, Tex., August 20, 1914.

Subject: Board of medical officers for unit equipment, Hospital Corps. On file,
Record Room, S. G. O., 147549-G (Old Files).

(9) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, September 4, 1914. Sub-

ject: Board of medical officers on personal equipment for Hospital Corps, and First
indorsement thereon from The Adjutant General to commanding general, 2d
Division, Texas City, Tex. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 147549-H-B1 (Old
Files).

(10) First indorsement, Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, November 7, 1914,

approving request of the board for one of its members to visit the Mills Woven
Cartridge Belt Co. Also: Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant Gen-
eral, February 26, 1916. Subject: Special duty, medical officers. On file, Record
Room, S. G. O., 147549-K and 147549-3 (Old Files).

(11) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, March 22, 1915. Subject:

Individual equipment of the Hospital Corps. On file, Record Room, S. G. O.,
147549-P (Old Files).

(12) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1916, par. 865.

(13) Indorsement from Chief of Ordnance to the Surgeon General, April 13, 1915, relative

to contracts for medical officers' and Hospital Corps belts. On file, Record Room
S. G. O., 147549-P (Old Files).

(14) Ninth indorsement, Surgeon General to Chief of Ordnance, April 27, 1915, requesting

delivery of belts to Field Medical Supply Depot for distribution. On file, Record
Room, S. G. O., 147549-P (Old Files).

(15) Letter from the Surgeon General to the field medical supply officer, Washington, D. C,

May 12, 1915. Subject: Issues of Hospital Corps belts and officers' belts. On file,
Record Room, S. G. O., 147549-Q (Old Files).

(16) Third indorsement from the Surgeon General to the Chief of Ordnance, April 29, 1917,

relative to issue of pistol belts to detachment, Medical Department, Fort Myer, Va.
On file, Record Room, S. G. 0., 127608-P (Old Files).

(17) Schedules of deliveries and prices on contracts made by the Ordnance Depart-

ment with the Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Co., in 1917, copies furnished the
Surgeon General, October 23, 1917. On file, Finance and Supplv Division,
S G O 75 °- 550 ° rd -

(18) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, June 15, 1917. Subject:

Belts for medical officers and enlisted men, Medical Department. On file, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. O., 13849-C.

(19) Contract No. 13794, December 8, 1916. On file, Office of Chief of Ordnance, admini-

strative division, contract section, 38310/364.

(20) Contracts Nos. 13735, March 13, 1917, and 13840, March 22, 1917. On file, Office of

Chief of Ordnance, administrative division, contract section, 38319/364.

(21) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Chief of Ordnance, June 15, 1917. Subject:

Belts for officers and enlisted men, Medical Department. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 13849-C.

(22) Second indorsement from Chief of Ordnance to The Adjutant General, June 27, 1917,

relative to belts for officers and enlisted men, Medical Department. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 13849-C.

(23) Third indorsement from The Adjutant General to the Surgeon General, July 3, 1917,

relative to transfer of belts to Medical Department. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 13849-C.

(24) Correspondence between the Surgeon General, the Chief of Ordnance, and the field

medical supply officer, July 31-August 15, 1917, relative to transfer of accounta-
bility for belts to Medical Department. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. O., 13849-E.

250 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

<25) Indorsement from Chief of Ordnance on Surgeon General's letter of June 15, 1917, to
Chief of Ordnance, relative to belts for officers and enlisted men. On file, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. O., 13849-C.

(26) Telegram from Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Co., Worcester, Mass., to the

Surgeon General, August 10, 1917, relative to deliveries of web belts. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., "-■

(27) Second indorsement from field medical supply officer, Washington, D. C, to the

Surgeon General, August 15, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
509
2 '

(28) Memorandum from the field medical supply officer, Washington, D. C, to the Surgeon

General, October 31, 1917, relative to deliveries of web belts. On file, Finance and

a „ i !->•■• □ /-i r\ 750-550 Ord.
supply Division, S. G. O., _

(29) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Medical Superintendent, Army Transport

Service, New York, N. Y., August 1, 1917. Subject: Belts, web. On file, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. O.

(30) Contracts dated April 18, 1918, between Lieut. Col. M. A. Reasoner, M. C, Wash-

ington, D. G, and R. H. Long Co., and Hewes & Potter, for 50,000 belts each. On
file, Office of Chief of Finance, Miscellaneous Section.

(31) Contract between Lieut. Col. M. A. Reasoner, M. C, and R. H. Long Co.,

July 1, 1918, for 50,000 enlisted men's belts. On file, Office of Chief of Finance,
Miscellaneous Section.

CHAPTER XV
COMBAT EQUIPMENT

The term combat unit, as used herein, covers all the equipment, by what-
ever name it may have been known, issued to the unit of medical personnel,
on duty with or definitely attached to a regiment or smaller unit of combatant
troops in the field or in combat, to be used in the performance of its mission.
It does not cover articles issued to the various personnel of the medical
establishment for their individual use and designated individual equipment.
The former is the equipment of the unit, the latter, of the individual, as
described in the preceding chapter.

The first essential of medical combat equipment is that it shall contain
ample quantities of surgical appliances and dressings for the effective administra-
tion of the primary treatment of the wounded with the minimum of delay and
preparation. They must be ready for immediate use. To apply them
must require the minimum of time, preparation, and manipulation. The
second requirement is that the equipment shall be sufficiently light and com-
pact to be suitable for the limited available transportation. This requires a
very careful selection. The third requirement is that the equipment shall be
made of the most durable materials consistent with its function in order that
it may withstand the rough usage to which, from the nature of its service,
it must be called upon to meet in the field. To meet these requirements great
care must be taken in design and manufacture of the equipment. A sufficient
quantity of dressings must be provided to meet the emergency until replen-
ishments can be received from the supply train. These dressings must be
sterile and ready for application even by the untrained. They must also be
as small in bulk as is compatible with their purpose.

For several years after the Spanish-American War, the regimental hospital
equipment was issued to all large posts, particularly those having the head-
quarters of the regiment. These hospitals by frequent inspection were kept in
instant readiness for field service. After 1911 they were reduced to regimental
infirmary equipments which provided dispensary service only. All patients
requiring hospitalization were sent to the camp or field hospital. Greater
prominence was given the first-aid station equipment. As the functions and
limitations of the regimental medical detachment in the field and in combat
came to be better understood and the difficulties of field transportation were
more fully comprehended, it became desirable further to modify the regimental
equipment. The mission of the regimental detachment is twofold: The admin-
istering of first aid to the wounded on the battle field and the collecting of such
wounded into groups in the protected places preparatory to their evacuation to
the hospitals in the rear; the furnishing, in camp and on the march, of dispen-
sary service to the members of the regiment to which it is attached. The
equipment of the regimental infirmary was adapted to these two missions and
could fairly well be separated into two groups corresponding to these missions.

251

252

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Accordingly, it was decided to form two unit equipments instead of one, augment-
ing each unit as was necessary to adapt it the more adequately to its particular
mission. The unit intended for use on the battle field was called a combat
equipment. The amount of equipment varied with the different arms of the
service, although the component elements were the same in all. 1 One such
combat equipment, the contents of which are shown in the following paragraphs
of the Manual for the Medical Department, was authorized for and issued to
every regiment.

M. M. D. 866.

Regimental combat equipment

Articles

Ax, short handle number

Bag, nose ...do...

Bag, water, sterilizing do,-.

Box. pack mule, empty, No. 1 (par. 909) do._

Brush, horse - do...

Bucket, galvanized iron do..

Candles, lantern do...

Chest, medical and surgical (par. 932) ..do...

Comb, curry do...

Desk, field, No. 2 (par. 941) do-

Guidons, ambulance, without staff do...

Lanterns, folding do...

Litters, with slings:

Battalion of Engineers do..

Battalion of Signal Corps do...

Regiment of Artillery do...

Regiment of Cavalry do...

Regiment of Infantry .do...

Manuals, Army Regulations, etc do...

Saddle, pack (par. 953) do...

Surgical dressings (par 955) boxes.

Surgical dressings, ambulance (par. 954):

Regiment of Artillery do...

Regiment of Cavalry do...

Regiment of Infantry do..

Tentage, heavy:

Fly, wall tent, small, with ropes number

Tent pins, small do...

Wire cutters do..

Total weight, about - ..pounds

Cubic space, about feet

C..<
1
1

1
8

1

884
55

(*)

1
1
1

t

1
1
8
1
1
1

2
2

2
1
7
6
9

(*)
1
1

Source

M

8

M
Q
M
M
M
Q
M

Q

M

M
M

M

1 M

884
55

Remarks

Carried on regimental field train. (See
appendix: Equipment.)

There is an additional litter in possession
of each company, troop, and battery.
When on the march not in the immedi-
ate presence of the enemy all the litters
arecarried on the ammunition wagons.
(See Tables of Organization.)
•In field desk No. 2.

Contents only.

Carried on ammunition wagons.
l Tables of Organization.)

(See

For Infantry. Figures for other arms are
somewhat less.

M. M. D. 867. The following articles are not kept in the depots'as a part of the regi-
mental combat equipment, but must be obtained by the regimental surgeon from the proper
supply department as indicated for each item under "Source":

Articles

Cover, mule, blanket lined. number

F'quipments, horse (par. 943) ..do...

Equipments, individual (par. S05) do...

Halter and strap - do..

Horses, riding:

For enlisted men do...

For officers .do..

Lime, hypochlorite tubes.

Mule, pack... number.

Shoes:

Horse, fitted do...

Mule, fitted -do...

(*)
C)

(*)
(*)

in
1

(*)

C)

(*)

(*)

C)
(*)

(*)

n

Source

Q
o

Q
Q

Q
O.

Q
Q

Remarks

For winter use only.

* Based on Tables of Organization.

* 1 for each man of Hospital Corps.
"M. D., Q.M. C, ami O. D.

For pack mule.

* Based on Tables of Organization.

* 1 for each captain or lieutenant not pri
vately mounted.

•Replenished by Q. M.

* 1 fore and 1 hind on each mount.
1 fore and 1 hind in pack.

That part of the equipment or unit intended to furnish„supplies for dispen-
sary service was denominated a camp infirmary. 2 It was intended primarily for

FIELD EQUIPMENT 253

service in camp, hence its name. It consisted essentially of medicines, surgical
dressings, and materials for holding sick call. One of these camp infirmaries
was issued to each regiment in time of peace, and a wagon from the divisional
sanitary train was assigned to transport it. 3 This equipment was required at
all times to be kept in instant readiness for field service. In addition to the
camp infirmary equipment and supplemental to it there was provided a unit
equipment composed largely of ward and mess equipment which, when added
to the infirmary, constituted a regimental hospital. 4 This supplementary unit
was issued only when the regiment was on duty apart from other regiments.
The complete equipment, then, gave the regiment full paraphernalia for the
care of the sick and wounded pending their evacuation to more permanent
hospitals.

It was thought, also, that conditions frequently would arise when the
quantities of medicines and surgical dressings in the camp infirmary would
prove inadequate. To meet these conditions another unit, called the camp
infirmary reserve, was provided. 5

When regiments were assembled in divisions it was contemplated that an
infirmary service would be established on the basis of one infimary to each
brigade. The director of amhulance companies was to be charged with the
establishment and maintenance of the infirmaries for the replenishment of the
supplies and for the enlisted personnel permanently assigned to them. 6 The
number of camp infirmary equipments required for the infirmary service of the
division were to be transferred, under instructions from the division surgeon,
to the director of ambulance companies. The remaining camp infirmary
equipments were to be transferred to the medical supply officer of the camp
to be held in reserve. 6 The infirmary service proper was to he under the
immediate charge of the senior medical officer of the organizations served by
the individual infirmary. Each organization was to be responsihle for its own
infirmary service and definite hours in the day were to be set aside for sick call
for the various units. 7

Surgical dressings and similar articles expended from the combat equip-
ment during combat were to be replenished from the reserve supplies of the
nearest amhulance company or camp infirmary. For these replenishments
formal requisitions, invoices, and receipts were not required. Provision was
made for the transfer of supplies to the regiment from other Medical Depart-
ment units. Invoices and receipts were required in the transferof nonexpendable
articles. 8

When the strength of the companies of Infantry was increased to 250 men
in the fall of 1917, making the strength of the battalion equal to that of the
pre-war regiment, it became necessary to provide additional medical combat
equipment. This was effected by providing each battalion with a regimental
medical combat equipment and increasing the allowance of litters. 9 The num-
ber of combat equipments required for a division at war strength was 30. I0
The size of the medical detachment assigned to the regiment was increased in
conformity with the increase in the strength of the regiment. Litters were
issued on the basis of 2 per cent of the strength of the command, and carried
for the most part on the combat wagons and trucks. The ambulance boxes

254

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

of surgical dressings also were issued in accordance with the strength of the
command and their prospective casualties. The equipment as issued in 1918,
and its distribution in the regiment is given in the following War Department
table of equipment, May 14, 1918. The contents of the various boxes, cases,
chests, etc., specified in the table of equipment, and as listed in the Manual for
the Medical Department, 1916, are given immediately after it.

Table 40. — Medical Department, attached to Infantry division organizations

[Series A. May 14, 1918]
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

Infantry Field Artillery

Engi-
neers

Sig-
nal
Corps

IS

=i

e)J3

i>

■51

OJ (-1

a

c
>

3
a «^

.si

a

i

i

s

08

a

Article, equipment A and C

3

03

H

a

.1

bo

«

§

J 03

B
S

s

s

-^

— V

22

-t-> aj

§.1

be c

i c3

a a
3
%
7,

■a

if

as

O c

eg

O

-C

52 «

"J

*s 03

©'a

1

So

Eg

a

a™

Is

a

9

E

O

«

£

C3

c3
O

s

u

a

a

i

'So

M
CD

H

a
5

S

|3
^>
*3

a

M

a
2

>.

a
a

Boxes, pack mule, empty, No. 1 (par. 909,

2

6
3
3
3
3.i

1

fi

k 7

656

""?-

15 j l>23

6 27
4

2

2

2

'2
11

3

23

"30

*>38

4

''31

is

32

11

Wallets, pocket, veterinary (par. 974, M.

Chests, field, veterinary officers (par.

1

Chests, veterinary field unit (par. 9fif»,

'3

7

7

48

;7f>

'1

1
r,

*8

el

1

1

14

* lfi

/2
3

3

19

2
3

/ 3

4

-1

33

-30

3

4

4
3

'2
3

3

27

•3t

/ 1

1

1

14

* 10

<•' 2
3

3
29

*2fi
1

5

MO

'I
1

Individual equipment, officers (par. 8fi4,
M. M. IX) . .-.

1

Individual equipment, enlisted men*

10
1

2

2

f

*3

2

Surgical dressings, ambulance, boxej of
(par. 954, M. M. D.)

»30

..

'6

«8

' 11

M2

'13

*4

*4

Veterinary supplies.

b Extra one for chaplain.

r 1 each for each infantry brigade.

d Each combat equipment consists of following:

1 ax, short, handled (carried on outside, pack-mole
box No. I).

1 box, pack male, empty, Xo. 1 (par. 939, M. M. I).).
(For nacking medical supplies.)

1 bucket, G. I.

S candles, lantern. (Packed In pack-mule box No. 1.)

1 case, emergency (par. 913, M. M. D.).

1 chest, medical and surgical (par. 932, M. M. IX).

1 field desk, No. 2 (par. 941, M. M. D.).

2 lanterns, folding. (Packed in pack-mule box
Xo. 1.)

1 box surgical dressings, contents only (par. 965,

M. M. I).). (Packed in pack-mule box No. I.)
75 feet rope, H-inch. (Packed in pack-mule box

Xo. 1.)
I venereal prophylactic unit (par. 958, M. M. D.).
1 wire cutter, (packed in pack-mule box No. 1.)
e Carried on medical cart.

f Carried on quartermaster transportation assigned to
organization.

. g 1 for each medical officer, veterinary officer, and en-
listed man of Veterinary Corps.

Xo Engineer or Signal equipment.

h Medical Department equipment only, as shown in
par. 805, M. M. D„ as modified by C. M. M. D. Xo. 3,
1917, and No. 7, 1918.

*' Carried on combat wagons and trucks.

i 21 for each combat equipment, 6 for headquarters com-
pany, 3 for supply company, 4 for machine-gun company.

* All for combat equipment.

; 8 for each combat equipment, 1 for supply company,
4 for headquarters company.

m 12 for each combat equipment, 4 for headquarters com-
pany, 2 for supply company.

" 8 for each combat equipment, 4 for headquarters com-
pany, 2 for supply company.

lfi for each combat equipment, 2 for headquarters
company .

*>$ for each combat equipment, 3 for headquarters
company, 2 for machine-gun company, 1 for supply
company.

« 3 for each combat equipment, 2 for headquarters
company.

r 4 for each combat equipment, 2 for headquarters com-
pany, 1 for supply company.

*3 for each combat equipment, 2 for headquarters com-
pany, 1 for supply company.

'6 for each combat equipment, 1 for headquarters
company.

FIELD EQUIPMENT

255

M. M. D. 932.

Cheat, medical and surgical.

(Weight, 100 pounds)

Medicines and Antiseptics

Adrenalin ehlorid, I-mgm. tablets, Z0 in tube. tubes..

Alcohol, 12 ounces in bottle bottles..

Apomorphinaehydrochloriduin, G-mgin . hypodermic
tablets, 20 in tube tubes..

Atropines sulphas, 0.65-mgm . hypodermic tablets,
20 in tube tubes..

Bismuthi subnitras, 324-mgm. tablets, 700 in 12-ounec
tin tins..

Chloroformum, % pound in tin do

Cocaine hydrochloridum, 10-mgm. hypodermic tab-
lets, 20 in tube tubes..

Digitalinum, 1-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20 in tube
tubes.,

Emctinse hydrochloridum, 22-mgm. hypodermic tab-
lets, 20 in tube - ..tubes..

Foot powder (par. 902) ...tins..

llydrargyri chloridum corrosivum, tablets (antisep-
tic) (par. 9021, 350 in 12-ounce tin tins..

llydrargyri chloridum mite, 32-mgm. tablets, 1,000
in bottle - bottles..

Jlyoseince hydrobromidum, 0.65-mgm. hypodermic
tablets, 20 in tube.- -- ...tubes..

lodum-potassii iodidum --do

Linimentum rubefaciens, tablets (par. 902), 200 in
12-ounce tin __ tins..

Magnesii sulphas, 3 pounds in tin do

The tubes of hypodermi

Mistura glyeyrrhizre composita, 3,600 in 12-ounce

tins _ tins

Morphinae sulphas, 8-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20

in tube tubes..

Nitroglycerin, 0.05 iiigm. hypodermic tablets, 20 in

tube .tubes..

Petrolatum, in 12-ounce tin... tins..

Phenol, crystals, H pound in bottle bottles..

Pilulae camphorae et opii (par. 902), 875 in 12-ounce

tin tins..

Pilulae catharticse composite, 1,200 in 12-ounce tin

tins..

Potassii bromiduin, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles..

Protargol (or equivalent), 1 ounce in hot tie. bottles ._
Quinina? hydrocblorosulphas, 32-mgm. hypodermic

tablets, 20 in tube tubes..

Quininae sulphas, 200-mgm. tablets, 1,000 in 12-ounce

tin ._ ._ tins..

Sodii salicylas, 324-mgm. tablets, 600 in 12-ounce tin

_ tins..

Strychninae sulphas, 1-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20

in tube _ tubes..

Thymolis iodidum (.Aristol), in sprinkler, number..
Unguentum llydrargyri chloridi mitis, 30 per cent,

V<i pound in wide-mouth bottle bottles..

tablets are all in one 12-ounce tin.

Miscellaneous

Aprons, rubber number-
Bag, rubber, hot-water, and syringe do

Bandages:

Gauze, compressed, 3 sizes do

Plaster of Paris, in individual packets. number-
Bandage, rubber, Martin do

Bands, elastic, in pouch do

Basins, hand, rubber do

Book, blank, 8vo ...do

Book, note, manifolding:

4 by 6 inches, binder number..

4 by 6 inches, filler. number-
Boxes:

Folding, for tablets gross..

Ointment, 3 in nest nests..

Box, soap, metal number-
Brushes, hand, fiber do

Case:

Forceps, hemostatic (par. 915) do

Operating, small (par. 922). do

Tooth-extracting, 3 forceps in canvas roll

number..

Catheters, flexible, 17, 20, 24, French scale, in tin

number __

Corks, for 1-ounce vials, 50 in bag bags..

Corkscrew number-
Cotton, absorbent, sterilized, 1-ounce package

_ packages..

Cup, enamel ware number-
Gauze, sublimated, 2 half-yard lengths in package

_ _ packages __

Gloves, rubber, in pouch, sizes 8 and 9 pairs..

Inhaler, chloroform, Esmarch, with drop bottle

__ __ number..

Labels:

For vials dozen..

Poison do

2
1

80
6
1

16
2

40
2

Matches, safety boxes..

Medicine glass, in wooden case number..

Mortar and pestle, porcelain, 7 cm ..do

Pencils, hair, 1 dozen in vial vials..

Pencils, indelible ..number..

Pins:

Common papers-
Safety ._ .dozen-
Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 5 yards by 1 inch

spools. _

Pouch, (or gloves number..

Razor do

Razor, strop for — .do

Scissors do

Soap, hand cakes..

Spatula, 3-inch number-
Spoon, tea do

Sutures:
Catgut—

Chromicized, sterilized, 18 inches each, 3

sizes in package packages..

Plain, sterilized, IS inches each, 3 sizes in

package packages ._

Silk, braided, sterilized, 18 inches each, 3 sizes in
package packages-
Silkworm gut. 100 in coil coils..

Syringe, hypodermic (par. 956) number-
Extra needles for number..

Tags, diagnosis _. books..

Thermometers, clinical number..

Tins, enameled, as containers do

Tongue depressor do

Tourniquet and bandage, rubber do

Towels, hand — do

Tubes, drainage, 2 sizes, in tin with catheters

. pieces..

Vials, l-ounce — number..

20
1

2H

10
1
1

12
2
6

17
1
1
6

256

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

M. M. D. 941.

Bands, clastic, assorted sizes. gross..

Book, correspondence (issued by A. G. Dept.)

number,.

Books, note, manifolding, 4 by 8 inches, binders

number..

Books, note, manifolding, 4 by 6 inches, fillers

number..

Envelopes, official, letter ...do

Eraser, rubber do

Ink, black, powder or tablets ..boxes..

Ink well number..

Pads, prescription do

Paper:

Blotting pieces..

Desk, field, No. i
(Weight 35 pounds)
(a) Stationery
1

SO

1
1
1

4

Paper— Continued

Carbon, letter, 100 sheets in a box boxes..

Writing-
Letter, 100 sheets in pad pads..

Note, 100 sheets in pad.. pads..

Paste, photo. tubes..

Pencils:

Indelible number..

Lead do

Penholders do

Pens, steel do

Kuler do

2
6

1

2
12

4
24

1

(6) Manuals, Army Regulations, Etc.

1

Field Service Eegulations number..

Manual Medical Department do

Rules of Land Warfare do

Army Regulations number..

Drill Regulations and Service Manual for Sanitary

Troops number..

Equipment Tables, Q. M. Supplies do

All published changes in the above-named publications should be placed in the desk at the time of issue from the
depot.

Nos. 17, 17c, 24, 37, 47a, 49, and 50, of each-number

Nos. 51 and 51o, of each do...

Nos. 35, 516, 56, and 78, of each do —

(c) Blank Forms, Medical Department (par. 901)

4 Nos. 28 and 53, of each number.

6 Nos. 17a, 176, 77, 82, and 83, of each do...

12 No. 52 do...

M. M. D. 954.

Surgical dressings, ambulance box of
(Wooden chest. Weight 28 pounds)

Bandages, gauze, compressed, 3 sizes. ..number..

Chloroformum, M-pound tins number..

Cotton, absorbent, sterilized, in 1-ounce package

packages..

Individual dressing packets (par. 949).. .number..
Qauze, sublimated, 2 half-yard lengths in package

packages. _

Hydrargyri chloridum corrosivum, tablets

(antiseptic) (par. 902), 350 in 12-ounce tin. ..tins..

•21
1

24

38

Iodine swabs, « in box .boxes..

Pins, safety ..dozen..

Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 5 yards by 1 inch

spools

Spiritus ammonias aromaticus, H pound in glass-
stoppered bottle ..bottles. __

Vials, 4-ounce, with rubber stoppers, number

24

48
100

M. M. D. 955.

Surgical dressings, box of

(Weight 93 pounds)

144 Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 5 yards by 1 inch

_ spools. .

Sapo mollis (green soap), J4-pound jar in ease.jars_.

Splints, wire gauze for, 1 yard in roll rolls..

Splints, wood veneer .number..

Tags, diagnosis books..

Vials, 4-ounce, with rubber stoppers number..

tt
48

140

60

6

12
1
6
12
10
4

Bandages, gauze, compressed, 3 sizes number..

Cotton, absorbent, sterilized, in 1-ounce package

packages..

Individual dressing packets (par. 949)__number_.
Gauze, sublimated, 2 half-yard lengths in package

packages..

Iodum-potassii iodidum tubes..

Pins, safety, 3 sizes dozen..

The major part of the combat equipment was intended to provide the
needed facilities for the first-aid dressing station. The articles required for
this station were designated aid-station equipment. For a number of years
pack animals had been regarded as the most suitable means of transportation
for the aid-station equipment. Pack transportation had many advantages in
the field, especially in mountainous and rough country. The mule is sure-
footed and can negotiate ravines and trails inaccessible to any form of wheeled

FIELD EQUIPMENT

257

transport. Since the Army was engaged for many years in controlling the
hostile Indians on the western frontier, where dependence had to be placed
much of the time on pack transportation, the adoption of pack-animal trans-
port for the aid-station equipment was but natural.

Carrying the aid-station equipment on a pack mule still left a part of
the combat equipment to be transported in some other manner. Since an
animal can always pull on a wheeled vehicle much more than it can carry and
since the territory in which the Army was expected to operate in Europe was
well provided with good roads, it was decided to substitute a cart for the
packsaddle in which to transport the combat equipment. It was at first
contemplated that the packsaddle would be carried in the cart with the
rest of the equipment. The cart was to be hauled to some point near
the lines. There the mule was to be unhitched from the cart, saddled,

Fig.

-Medical cart

and used as a pack animal to carry the aid-station equipment to the point
where the station was to be established. This increased the size and
weight of the cart. Ultimately the packsaddle was omitted entirely from
the combat equipment of Infantry regiments but retained for the trans-
port of veterinary supplies for the train headquarters and military police.
(See table of equipment quoted above.) The general appearance of the
medical cart and the method of packing its contents are shown in Figures
5 and 6. This cart was built of standard wagon parts for facility in
assembling and for replacement of spare parts. It was found to be very
substantial and entirely capable of carrying its prospective load, but too
heavy, when loaded, to be drawn by a single mule. A device was placed
on the right side of the frame to which another animal could be hitched to
help pull the load. The cart was remodeled in 1918. Its weight was reduced,
30663—28 17

258

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

and the body was shortened. These carts, with their harness and animals
were supplied by the Quartermaster Corps.

CAMP INFIRMARY EQUIPMENT

When the troops were sent to the concentration camps in the fall of 1917
they were furnished an outfit for dispensary or infirmary service as noted in
the chapter on camp medical supply depots. This was done in order that the
combat equipment might be maintained intact. It was intended that the com-
bat equipment be entirely separate and apart from the infirmary. So long as

Fig. 6.— Method of packing contents of medical cart

the troops remained in the concentration or training camps these infirmaries
furnished the necessary supplies for regimental use. These infirmary equip-
ments were left behind when the divisions embarked for overseas service.
When the troops began to arrive in France and to be billeted in towns and vil-
lages, the need for even more extensive infirmary service immediately arose.
Often only a single battalion could be billeted in a town, and the contents of
the combat equipment soon became exhausted. To provide supplies for this
extended infirmary service, eight camp infirmary equipments were issued to

FIELD KQI'IPMEXT

259

each division. 9 The commander in chief, A. E. F., requested that each battal-
ion be provided with a regimental hospital equipment, but accepted camp
infirmary and camp infirmary reserve as a substitute for the hospital." The
regiments, thereafter, were issued 1 combat equipment, 1 camp infirmary, 1 camp
infirmary reserve, and a medical cart for each battalion, with litters and surgi-
cal dressings in accordance with the strength of the command. The contents
of the camp infirmary followed by those of the camp infirmary reserve appear
below.

M. M. D. 869.

Camp Infirmary

Articles

Remarks

MEDICINES AND ANTISEPTICS

Foot, powder (par. 1)02) tins.. 100

Iodine swabs, in a box hoxes_. 100

Spiritus ammonia* aromat icus, ' 2 pound in glass'
stopper bottle -.- bottles.

MISCELLANEOUS

Alcohol, denatured. 2 quarts, in tin--. tins.. 2

Hag, water, sterilizing -number.. 1

Basins, hand do 3

Buckets, galvanized iron do 4

Candles. pounds-, 2

Case, emergency (par. 913) number.- 1

Chest, medical and surgical (par. 932) do 1

Supplementary (par. 933) do 1

Corks, No. 2, 150 in a bag bags.. l

Desk, field, No. 2 (par 911) number.. 1

Flag:

Distinguishing, lied Cross. do 1

Halyards for, SO feet do 2

National, storm do 1

Stall for, complete do 1

Food, box of (par. 948)* do 1

Guidon, ambulance, with stall do 1 i

Lanterns:

Without globes or wicks do 2

Wicks for dozen. . 1

Globes for—

Green number-.

While do 4

Litters, with slings do 2

Rope, 3 s-ineh feet.. 100

Soap, Ivory cakes . 10

Spade number.. 1

Stove, alcohol do 1

Surgical dressings (par. 955) _ boxes.. 2

Tent, wall. complete___ number.. 1

Towels, hand dozen.. 2

Twine, coarse pounds.. 1

Venereal prophylaxis unit (par. 958) number.. 1

Vials, 1-ounce dozen.. 6

100
100

1
1
1
1

2
1

2

t

2

ion

10

I

Total weight pounds.. 840

Cubic space feet-. 41

840

41

M
M

M

M
Q

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

Q
Q
Q

M
M
Q

M

M

M
M
M
M

.M

Q
M
M

Q

M
M

M
M

Other medicines and antiseptics are con-
tained in the chest, medical and surgi-
cal; in the case, emergency: and in the
venereal prophylaxis unit. See below

, under Miscellaneous.

1 quartermaster bucket on wagon.

* For emergency use only.

M. M. D. 870. The following articles are not kept in the depots as a part of the camp
infirmary equipment, but must be obtained from the proper supply department as indicated
for each item under "Source."

Articles

Covers, mule, blanket-lined number..

Equipments, individual, Hospital Corps (par.

805), number.
Equipments, individual. Quartermaster Corps,

number.

Lime, hypochlorite tubes..

Mules, draft number..

Oil, mineral quarts..

Shoes, mule, fitted number..

Wagon, escort, and harness, complete do

(*)

7*f

c

Source

4

Q

1

C)

1

C)

(*)

Q

4

Q

(*)

Q

IH

y

1

Q

Remarks

For winter use only.
Based on Tables of Organization. *M.
D„ Q. M. C, andO. D.
Do.

•Replenished by camp quartermaster.
Do.

For list, see Equipment Tables, Q. M.
Supplies.

260

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

M. M. D. 873.

Weight carried by camp infirmary wagon
(Exclusive of driver and his individual equipment)

(a) CAMF INFIRMARY PKOPEIt

Supplies as listed in pars. 869 and 870

Sergeant in charge, and his individual equip-
ment

Grain, 4 mules, 3 days

Rations isee par. GfiO)

Pounds
850

180
108

Total weight.

(6) WITH RESERVE SUPPLIES

Camp infirmary proper

Reserve supplies (par. 871).

Total weight.

Pounds

1.138
1.050

2. 188

(f) WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES FOR
REGIMENTAL HOSPITAL

Camp infirmary proper 1, 138

Equipment "A " (par. 872)' 880

Total weight.

2,018

CAMP INFIRMARY RESERVE

M. M. D. 871. The articles listed below do not form a part of the regular equipment
of the camp infirmary, but when a camp infirmary is serving with divisional troops under
conditions which, in the opinion of the division surgeon, make it necessary or desirable to
have within the division an additional supply of medicines and dressings for the sanitary
troops on duty with line organizations or for the infirmaries themselves, the following arti-
cles will be procured on requisition and carried on each camp infirmary wagon. (See par.
633 b.)

These supplies belong in equipment "A."

Medicines and antiseptics

Acetpheneiidinum (phenacetin), 324-mgm. tablets,
500 in 12-ounce tin__ tins..

Aeidum boricum, 324-mgm. tablets, 700 in 12-ounce
tin tins_.

Aeidum sal icy Ileum, 324-mgm. tablets, 400 in 12-
ounce tin tins..

Alcohol, 3 pints in tin do

Aniylis nitris, 5-drop spirets, 12 in box boxes_

Apomorphina?hydroehloridum,fi-mgm. hypodermic
tablets, 20 in tube tubes..

Argenti nitras, crystals, 1 ounce in bottle_.bottles_.

Argenti nitras fusus, 1 ounce in bottle do

Aspirin, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle do

Capsicum, 32-mgm. tablets, f>00 in 3-otinee tin-tins. _

Chloralum hydratum, 324-mgm. tablets, 400 in
bottle. _. bottles..

Oocainae hydrochloriduni, 10-mgm. hypodermic
tablets, _'m in tube . . ....lubes.

Codeina, 32-mgm. tablets, 600 in 3-ounce tin__tins__

Collodium, 1 ounce in bottle bottles..

Emplastrum belladonna 1 , 2 yards by 6 inches, in
tin _ tins__

Foot powder (par. 902), l 4 pound in tin with perfo-
rated cover tins_.

Ulycerinum. 3 pints in tin do

Heroini hydrochloriduni, 5.5-mgm. tablets, 500 in
3-ounce tin tins..

Hcxamethylenamina (urotropin), 324-mgm. tablets,
600 m 12-ounce tin .tins..

Hydrargyri chloridum corrosivum, tablets (anti-
septic) (par. 902), 250 in bottle bottles..

Hydrargyri chloridum mite, 32-mgm. tablets, 1,000
in bottle bottles..

Hydrargyri iodidum llavum, 10-mgm. tablets, 750

in 3-ounce tin tins.,

i If transportation for medical officers' baggage,

required by Field Service Regulations, equipment "

load for one wagon.

20
200

Ichthyolum, 3 ounces in wide-mouth bottle bottles..

Iodine swabs, (i in box boxes.,

Iodum-potassii iodidum, in tubes tubes..

Linimentum rubefaciens, tablets (par. 902) 200 in

12-ounce tin tins..

1 Magnesii sulphas, 3 pounds in tin do

18 Mist ura glyeyrrluza* composita, tablets (par. 902),

3,600 in 12-ounce tin tins..

Morphime sulphas, 8-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20

fi in tube tubes. _

1 Morphine sulphas, 8-mgm. tablets, 600 in 3-ounce

1 tin tins. .

4 Normal saline solution tablets (par. 902), 150 in 12-

1 ounce tin tins..

Oleum ricini, 3 pints in tin do

Oleum terebinthinaj rectificatum, 3 pints in tin

tins.,

20 Petrolatum, in 12-ounce tin.. do

1 Phenol, J) pound in bottle bottles..

Phenylis salicylas (salol), 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in

bottle bottles..

Pilula? aloini eomposita? for tablets) (par. 902), 750

in 3-ounce tin tins..

10 Pilula? camphors ct opii (or tablets) (par. 902), 875

1 in 12-ounce tin tins__

Pilula? cathartics? composita? (or tablets) 1,200 in 12-
ounce tin tins..

Piluhe ferri compositae (or tablets) (par. 902), 1,200
in 12-ounce tin tins..

Plumbi acetas, 130-mgm. tablets, 600 in 3-ounce tin
tins._

Potassii bromidum, 3.24-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

2 . bottles..

Potassii chloras, 324-mgm. tablets, 1,200 in 12-ounce

2 tin . tins..

tentage, forage, etc., is provided by the regimental field train, as
B " (par. S72) may also be carried without exceeding the maximum

FIELD EQUIPMENT

261

Potassii iodidum, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles..

Potassii permanganas, 324-mgm. tablets, 1,200 in 12-

ounee tin ...tins.,

Protargol for equivalent), 1 ounce in bottle. bottles..
Pulvis ipecacuanha? et opii, 324-mgm. tablets, 700

in 12-ounce tin tins..

Quinime bydrochlorosulpbas, 32-mgm. hypodermic

tablets, 20 in tube tubes..

Quininse sulphas, 200-mgm. tablets, 1,000 in 12-ounce

tin tins..

Sapo mollis (green soap), U-pound jar in case.jars__
Sodii bicarbonas, 324-mgm. tablets, 1,000 in 12-ounce

tin tins.,

Sodii bicarbonas et mentha piperita, tablets (par.

9021, 1,000 in 12-ounce tin tins..

Sodii earbonas monohydratus, for surgical use, J*

pound in 12-ounce tin tins.,

Sodii salicylas, 324-mgm. tablets, 000 in 12-ounce

tin tins..

Spiritus ammonia 1 aromaticus, }-2 pound in glass

stopper bottle bottles..

Strychnines sulphas, l-mgm. hypodermic tablets,

20 in tube tubes..

Sulphur lotum, '.; pound in 12-ounce tin tins..

Thymolis iodidum (Aristol), 1 ounce in bottle

bottles..

Tlneturo digitalis, 0.3 c. c. tablets, 800 in it-ounce

tin tins..

Tinctura opii, 'i pound in bottle bottles..

Trochisci ammonii chloridi, 350111 12-ounce tin. I ins..
Unguent um hydrargyri ] -j pound in wide-mouth

bottle bottles..

Vngucntum hydrargyri chloridi mil is, 30 per cent,

i 2 pound in wide-mouth bottle bottles..

Veronal, 324-mgm. tablets, 100 in 3-ounce tin__tins__
Zinci oxidum, powder, i 2 pound in 12-ounce tin

tins..

Zinci sulphas, 324-mgm. tablets, 250 in 3-ounce tin
tins..

Miscellaneo us

10 Individual dressing packets (par. 949) number., l.ooo

500 I Surgical dressing (\r.\r.95S) boxes.. 4

Alcohol, denatured, 2 quarts in tin tins.

First-aid packets (par. 944)... number.

Weight, 1,050 pounds. Cubic space, 42 feet.

Note. — The medicines and antiseptics listed above are identical with those contained
in boxes 1, 2, 3, and 4, of the field hospital (par. 879).

REPLENISHMENTS

The quantities of the component articles of the combat equipment, camp
infirmary, and camp infirmary reserve prescribed in the tables above quoted
were intended to meet service requirements and to keep the wheeled transport
at the minimum consistent with efficiency. 12 The supplies allowed in these units
were calculated on the basis of replenishment at 10-day intervals from the line
of communications. 13 Formal requisitions, invoices, and receipts were not
required in the combat zone. No accountability was required of regimental
medical units. The divisional medical supply officer was accountable for the
nonexpendable articles and dropped from his return the expendable articles
as issued. A memorandum receipt was given for nonexpendable supplies and
an informal receipt for expendable supplies. These receipts were kept by the
divisional medical supply officer to show the disposition of the supplies for
which he was accountable.

QUARTERMASTER AND ORDNANCE SUPPLIES

It will be noted in the list of contents of the combat equipment and camp
infirmary quoted above that numerous articles were issued by the Quartermaster
Corps and several by the Ordnance Department. 14 In assembling unit equip-
ment at the medical supply depots for a number of years prior to 1917 the
required articles furnished by those departments were incorporated into the
unit so that it could be issued complete. This was made possible by the
cooperation of those departments. Having the complete unit assembled at
one place facilitated its distribution. The demands for supplies of all kinds
were so insistent, the quantities required were so large, and the available
supply so limited during 1917 that this method could not be carried out. The

262 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

War Department charged each supply branch with the duty of providing its
own equipment for all units at the camps and other points of ultimate issue. 16
This made it necessary for the medical units of the division to requisition
directly upon the Quartermaster Corps and the Ordnance Department for the
articles furnished by them, respectively. The same rule covered unit equip-
ment shipped to France for replacement and reserve. After the authorization
of divisional medical supply officers the inconveniences of this triple source of
supply were somewhat reduced, since the units of the sanitary train looked to
that officer to secure for them the needed equipment and supplies. The
regimental medical units looked to the regimental unit supply officers for their
quartermaster and ordnance equipment. 16

REFERENCES

(1) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1916, pars. 866-867.

(2) Ibid., pars. 869-870.

(3) Ibid., par. 657.

(4) Ibid., par. 872.

(5) Ibid., par. 871.

(6) Ibid., pars. 658-659.

(7) Ibid., par. 663.

(8) Ibid., par. 551.

(9) Letter from the Surgeon General to the division surgeons of all National Army camps,

551 N A
December 23, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, 8. G. O., — ~jr — "•

(10) Letter from the Surgeon General to the division surgeon, Camp Sherman, Chillicothe,

Ohio, March 2, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — g -- ■

(11) Cable No. 211, Headquarters, A. E. F., October 10, 1917, par. 4; Ibid., No. 279,

November 12, 1917, par. 5.

(12) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Armv, 1916, par. 857.

(13) Ibid., par. 858.

(14) Correspondence between the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St. Louis, Mo.,

the Surgeon General, the Quartermaster General, and the Chief of Ordnance, in
March and April, 1917, relative to quartermaster and ordnance supplies for field
units. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14066-S-T.

(15) General Orders, No. 96, War Department, July 23, 1917, and No. 137, October 30, 1917.

(16) Army Regulations 681-1 (C. A. R. No. 56, May 10, 1917).

CHAPTER XVI

FIELD HOSPITAL, AMBULANCE COMPANY, AND OTHER DIVISIONAL

UNIT EQUIPMENT

FIELD HOSPITAL

The experiences of the Medical Department during the Spanish-American
War and the events which immediately followed it were such as to stimulate
studies on the organization and equipment of the sanitary service in war. The
need for a reserve equipment in time of peace to enable it to function effectively
at the declaration of war had been very strongly impressed upon all medical
officers who had participated in that war. The studies of this period in medical
equipment were devoted largely to the requirements of the larger units. The
earliest of these units to be considered and developed was the divisional unit,
consisting of a hospital section called the field hospital and an ambulance
section called the ambulance company. 1

In the standard supply table of 1902 the authorized capacity of the field
hospital was 108 beds. It was fully equipped for its own purposes and included
in its hospital supplies a reserve for issue to regiments. It was intended for
assignment with troops in the field wherever its services might be needed.
Its capacity was considered sufficient for ordinary requirements of 5,000 effec-
tives. 2 The ambulance company was at first administered as a part or section
of the field hospital, 3 but later became independent. 4 To meet the require-
ments of large bodies of troops in more or less permanent camps a camp hospital
equipment of 324 beds was provided in order that the field hospitals might
remain mobile and ready to march on short notice. 5 The field hospital equip-
ment served as a nucleus for that of the camp hospital. 6

The equipment of field hospitals was designed to provide the maximum
of treatment with the minimum of equipment. Compactness, durability, and
transportability were essential factors in its design. The field hospital was
intended primarily for service during active operations and only occasionally
as a fixed hospital for short periods. Its equipment was designed accordingly, 7
and modified from time to time as its purpose and limitations became better
understood. In the earlier stages of its development emphasis was placed
upon operative procedures and temporary hospitalization. In later tables of
equipment the conception of the purpose of this hospital changed. Opera-
tions of election gave place to those purely emergency in character. Empha-
sis was placed upon the emergency, or first-aid, treatment and the preparation
of the patient for evacuation to the rear. Ward equipment was minimized,
and the surgical equipment greatly reduced. In 1916 the capacity of the field
hospital was increased to 216 patients, 8 but its equipment was so modified and

263

264 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

curtailed as to weigh, without transportation, complete and packed for ship-
ment, but 18,200 pounds, and it occupied approximately 850 cubic feet. 9 The
railway requirements for the field hospital of 1916, including personnel, equip-
ment, and animal transportation, were a train composed of 2 tourist sleepers,
1 kitchen car, 1 baggage (box) car, 3 standard stock cars for the animals, and
3 flat cars for the vehicles. 10

During the last decade of the nineteenth century the conception of the
hospital service for troops in the field contemplated a single field hospital for
the division, with a section for each brigade, 10 as in the Civil War. Brigade
sections could be detached for service with their respective brigades when the
latter were separated from the division. In later years each brigade section
was made coecpial with the original division field hospital, and four field hos-
pitals were allowed each division. For purposes of control these four hospitals
were grouped into a battalion under an officer designated director of field hos-
pitals." This officer was immediately under the division surgeon and was the
latter's executive in respect to the field hospitals. 12 He was expected to main-
tain contact with the director of ambulance companies, with the transport
columns and the nearest hospital on the line of communications. 13 Usually
but one field hospital was in service. The remainder were held in reserve and
were advanced into action as the battle developed and the casualties required. 14
The field hospitals, when opened on the field, were to be organized into a num-
ber of departments: Dispensary, kitchen, receiving and forwarding, slightly
wounded, seriously wounded, and mortuary. 15 Its equipment was arranged
accordingly. After combat these hospitals cleared as rapidly as possible and
followed the division. 16 If the sick and wounded could not be evacuated before
the division moved, they were to be concentrated in one or two field hospitals
so as to free the others for the advance. If any field hospital were immobilized
when the troops moved, another was to be required to accompany them. 17

Prior to the World War, sufficient field hospital equipments were assembled
complete, except perishable articles, to equip all existing field hospital companies
of the Regular Army, and as many of those of the National Guard as had been
accorded Federal recognition. In addition there were 44 such equipments in
reserve stored at the various medical supply depots within the United States. 18
Following the declaration of war, April, 1917, the assembling of these units
was resumed, with the exception of quartermaster and ordnance supplies.
Quartermaster and Ordnance Department supplies required to complete the
equipment were obtained by the commanding officer of the hospital company
or by the camp or division medical supply officer by requisition upon the local
representatives of those departments. After July 1, 1917, the greater part of
the field hospital equipments issued were assembled at the field medical supply
depot, Washington, D. C. The numbers issued from that depot by periods
were April 1 to June 30, 1917, 27; July 1 to December 31, 1917, 38; January
1 to July 30, 1918, 58; July 1 to December 31, 1918, 118; total 241. Of this
total, 118 were issued in the United States and 123 shipped to France. 19 Five
additional field hospital equipments each were assembled at the St. Louis and
San Francisco depots. 20

A survey of the medical equipment of the National Guard made in May,
1917, by the representative of the Medical Department on duty in the Militia

FIELD EQUIPMENT

265

Bureau, showed that 25 field hospital organizations were without equipment. 21
These organizations, the 64 organizations in the National Army training camps,
the new field hospital organizations of the Regular Army, and the additional
divisions formed absorbed the number of equipments noted above as having
been issued in the United States. The cost of the components of the field
hospital equipment furnished by the Medical Department was approximately
$4,454. 34, 22 making a gross cost of $1,073,495.94 for those issued from the field
medical supply depot above noted.

A list of equipment of the field hospital of 1916, inclusive of all articles
furnished the company by the Quartermaster Corps and the Ordnance Depart-
ment, is shown on pages 275-283.

AMBULANCE COMPANY

The equipment of the ambulance company was designed on the basis of
the mission assigned to it. This mission, as prescribed in the Manual for the
Medical Department, 1916, had two primary objects: The collection and first-
aid treatment of the wounded; the evacuation of the wounded from regimental
aid stations and ambulance dressing stations to the field hospitals. For its
transportation function it was provided with 12 ambulances and 3 escort or
Army wagons. For collecting the wounded from the battle field it had a litter-
bearer section equipped with litters, first-aid dressings, stimulants, and anodynes.
The ambulance companies established dressing stations in protected places as
near the battle field as practicable. It was intended that the work of these
dressing stations, when operating, should have a dispensary, a kitchen, a receiv-
ing and forwarding department, a slightly wounded department, and a seriously
wounded department. Dressings were to be applied as the condition of the
wounded indicated, diagnosis tags applied, and records kept as required, the
wounded sorted and distributed in accordance with their condition and the
character of their wounds." To meet the most exacting conditions of field service
it is necessary that the dressing station equipment be simple, compact, and easily
transportable. That of 1916 was designed to be carried on four pack mules.
Its contents and the manner of packing for carriage by pack mules is shown
in the following table, Manual for the Medical Department: 21

M. M. D. 878.

Method of packing the dressing station equipment

Quan-
tity

MULE No. 1
Kight side:

Medical and surgical chest

._- .number.. 1

Left side:

Ax do 1

Box, pack mule, No. 2 do 1

Alcohol, denatured tins.. 2

Basins, hand. number.. 6

Calcium carbide tins.. 4

Candles pounds.. 2

Corks, extra, lor alcohol tins

-..number.. 6

Guidons, without staff-do 6

Lamps, acetylene.. do

Lanterns, folding _do 8

Lime, hypochloride... tubes.. 5

Pounds

5
31
8
5

13
9

Mule No. 1— Continued
Left side— Continued.

Box, pack mule, No. 2— Contd.

Paper, toilet. packages.

Rope, ?J-inch feet.

Soap, Ivory. ...cakes.

Tent pins, short number.

Twine, coarse balls.

Wire cutters number-

Quan-
tity

Top

Buckets, galvanized-iron do...

Bags, water, pack mule pairs.

Total weight .

Pounds

26
14

40
240

266 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Method of packing the dressing station equipment — Continued

Quan-
tity

Pounds

Quan-
tity

Pounds

Mule No. 2
Right side:

Box, pack mule, No. 3— number,.
Surgical dressings, box of
(contents only) ___number_.
Towels, hand __ do .

i
i

6

1

1
fi

6

3

30

60

2

(jo

92

50

Mule No. 3— Continued

Top:

Blankets-
Gray number..

Rubber do

6
3

32

18
-r>

30

60
2

32
18

Box, pack mole, No. 4 do

234

Surgical dressings, box oi

(contents only)._number_.

Towels, hand do

Top:

Blankets—

Mule No. 4
Right side:

Box, pack mule, No. "...number. .
Bucket, gal vani zed-iro n

1

1

1
1
1

1

1

1

1
1

2

30
4

Rubber . _ do..

Food, box of (contents only)

...number..

Spoon, serving do

Stove, alcohol __.do

Left side:

Box, pack mule. No. 8 do

Bucket, galvani zed-i ro n
...... _ _ ... .number..

Food, box of (contents only)

_. number. _

Spoon, serving. do

Stove, alcohol do

Top:

Tent flies, wall, small do

Total weight

68
4

Total weight

234

92

9

Mule No. 3
Right side:

Box, pack mule, No. 5— number..

Surgical dressings, box of

(contents only ). . _num ber _ .

Towels, hand,, do

Left side:

Box, pack mule, No. 6 do

Surgical dressings, box of
(contents only)— number, _

Towels, hand do.

1

1

6

1

1
6

30

60
2

30

60
2

30

4

T8

4
106

34 34

Note 1.— On the march, not in the presence of the enemy, blankets, both woolen and rubber, are habitually carried
on the ambulance company combat wagon. On long marches, under similar conditions, the other top loads may also
be carried in an accessible place on the combat wagon. When the dressing station partv is about to separate from the
wheeled transportation the top loads of mules Nos. 1 and 4, and if necessary those of mules Nos. 2 and 3, may be quickly
put in place on the mules.

Note 2.— As the weights of the boxes are changed by expenditure of their contents, readjustment must be made in
order to maintain the right anil left loads of eaoh mule at approximately the same weight. Sore backs will certainly be
produced if this precaution is neglected.

The table of equipment of an ambulance company, as published in the
supply table of 1916, was designed for animal-drawn transportation. Motor
ambulances, while under consideration, had not been definitely adopted and
were not available for issue. It remained for the mobilization on the Mexican
border in the summer of 1916 to crystallize the sentiment in favor of the motor
ambulance and to establish it on a firm basis as a unit of transportation for the
Medical Department. Thereafter both types of ambulances were used. The
account of the ambulance is given in the chapter devoted to that subject.
With the advent of the motor ambulance the requirements of ambulance com-
pany equipment changed somewhat, a part of the supplies being basic and
another part relating necessarily to the type of transportation furnished. The
components of the animal-drawn and motor-drawn equipments, respectively,
are given in the table of equipment for the sanitary train of the division found
at the end of this section.

For the rail transportation of the personnel and equipment of an animal-
drawn ambulance company at war strength and with full equipment required
3 tourist or standard sleeping cars for the personnel, 1 kitchen car, 1 baggage
or box car, 5 standard stock cars for the animals, and 5 flat cars for the vehicles. 25
For the motorized company 6 flat cars were required for the ambulances and 1

FIELD EQUIPMENT 267

box car for the company baggage, the spare parts car or trailer, and the acces-
sories and detachable parts of the several ambulances were substituted for
those required for the animal-drawn transportation.

Prior to 1916 in assembling ambulance company equipment at the medical
supply depots, quartermaster and ordnance supplies, less transportation, were
obtained from the respective departments and incorporated in the unit as it
was assembled. In equipping the Medical Department units in 1917-18 only
medical supplies and equipment were issued from medical supply depots.
The articles normally furnished by other supply departments were obtained
from the local representatives of those departments at the concentration or
training camps. 26 Replenishments in the field were obtained from divisional
supply officers of the respective departments — Medical, Quartermaster,
Ordnance.

The cost of ambulance company equipment varied, from time to time,
according to the cost of the component articles. The part of this equipment
issued by the Medical Department, less transportation, during 1917-18 was
approximately $1,914.78. This gives a total for initial equipment issued dur-
ing that period of 1756,338.10, including equipment in storage, at the decla-
ration of war and that assembled thereafter. 27

The complete equipment of a sanitary train is as follows:

268

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

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Shoe-repairing outfit , com-
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Vehicles:

Ambulance anil harness
complete.

Wagons-
Ration and baggage

Escort and harness com-
plete.

Kitchen, rolling, and har-
ness, complete.

Water cart and harness
complete.

Motorcar __ __

Water cart, trail mobile

Motor truck

Kitchen, rolling, trail mo-
bile.

Motor truck, repair

Wax, saddler's, pounds ._

Whistle and chain

Wick, lantern

ADDITIONAL CAMP SUPPLIES

(Provided by quartermas-
ter for i ssue as required
within limits prescribed.)

NONEXPENDABLE

Brush, whitewash..

Can, garbage

Can, night, urinal

FIELD EQUIPMENT

283

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X s

3 ^g

5 ©ia-"^ wis

■gbSS o of

— r °

JSfSJS

388"
aaab

eg

5 O

P.- >■ s-

15 x Sill!

■ •- i o = a — a — *

as c

GO 03

284

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Table 28. — Sanitary train — Infantry division, maximum strength — Continued

[Series A. July 11, 1918.)
ORDNANCE EQUIPMENT

Equipment A and C

ta

<o

09
3
O*
■O
03
0>

a
a
-

Eh

Ambulance
section

Field hospital
section

ta

«

S

■-=
.9
a
S

3

_>,

c

e.
a

"3

-
-

S

Arnclo

Headquarters

1 ambulance company,
motor

§1
ll

3 "3

jl ~

E

<

48
12

420

158
158
158

134
24
158
158
158
158
5
158

153
12
24

48
48

12

24

24
24
24

24
24
1
24
24
24
24
21
24
99
24
24
24
24
24
21

-

a

z

" I.

_ O

5 =

as

a 5

OS
"a!

O C3

■=3 —

S'5

■£ S3

3 p

.3; «
fa a

48
12

420

88
88
88

66
22
88
89
88
88
6
88

82
12
22

44
44

12
24

22
22
22
22
22
1
22
22
22
22
22
22
57
22
22
22
22
■_"_>
22

Remarks

VII-2. Pistols

Magazines, for automatic pistol, caliber .45,
M. 1911."

18
18
18

5
13

18
18
18
18

A

14

4

1

35

7
7

7

5
2

7
7
7
7
1
7

6
1
2

4
4

2

2
2
2
2
2

48
12

420

127
127
127

127

127
127
127
127
5
127

127
12

12
24

4

1

35

7
7
7

5
2

7
7
7
7

7

6

1
2

4
4

1
2

2
2

■>
2

2

~~2
2

1
'-»
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

48
12

420

89
88
89

89

89
89
89
89
6
89

89
12

12
24

4 extra magazines for
each pistol.

VI 1 1-2. Pistol Ammunition

Cartridges, ball, pistol, caliber .48, M. 191 1".

IX-1. Infantry Equipment
Cans:

Comliment, M. 1910"

35 for each pistol.

16

Hi
lfi

15

9
9
9

9

Covers, canteen:

M. 191(1, dismounted"..

Forks. M. 1910"

16

16
16
16

16
16

9

9
9
9

1
9

9

Pouches, tor first-aid packet, M. 1910"

IX-2. Cavalry Equipment

Bags, ration, M. 1912 --. --

Holsters, pistol, M. 1916"

Including allowance for

13

26

2li

1

13
13
13
13

13

Straps, spur:

Lower, M. 1911 "... .. -

2 per pair of spurs.
Do.

Upper, M. 1911»...

IX-3. Artillery Equipment
Hells, M. 1912, without salier ring, for pistol

or revolver."
Pockets, magazine, web •_ .

Or pockets, magazine,
double, M. 1918, in
lieu.

IX-5. Horse Equipment

Hags:

Feed, M. 19I2«

Blankets, saddle •

Bridles, cavalry, M. 1909«.

Brushes, horse. M. 1912-

Carriers, guidon and standard. M. 1912 . ..

Or stirrup, hooded,
with guidon socket

M. 1912 lined, or com-
mercial models, lined

Cases, picket pin. M. 1917"*

13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13

11

1

2

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
'-'

.....

Covers, horse " _. ..

Currycombs, M. 1913" ...

Headstalls, halter. M. 1904"

Links "...

Nets, bay ■

Pins, picket. M. 1912" k

32

Hopes, halter tie. M. 1912-..

Saddlebags, pairs"

Saddles. McClellan, cavalry, M. 1904» ..

Officers may have
"\Yhitm;m"or "offi-
cers" pattern, M.
1917 in lieu if avail-
able.

Straps, lariat " h

Surcingles, M. 1912"

• May be issued to officers on memorandum receipt; quantity shown includes allowance for officers.

FIELD EQUIPMENT 285

Table 28. — Sanitary train — Infantry division, maximum strength — Continued

Equipment A and C

IX-6 Officer's Equipment

Insignia, officer's saddlecloths.
Saddlecloths, officer's, without insignia.'

X-3- Intrenching Tools

Axes, intrenching) hand, M. 1910.
Carriers, intrenching hand ax, M. 1910.

X-5. Marking and Stencil Outfits

Outfits, marking, M. 1910, for stamping

leather. h
Outfits, marking, M. 1917, for stamping metal
Outfits, stencil »

Stencils, itersonnel equipment.''

Ambulance
section

X-9. Repair Tools

Kits, cleaning, pistol, M. 1912.

Tools:

Blacksmiths', sets

Saddlers', sets

14

14

SO

__ -
S

Field hospital
section

X-io. Cleaning and Preserving Materials

initial allowance

Dressing, russet leather, boxes ._

Naphthaline (lake, pounds

Oil, neat's-foot, 1-gallon and 2-gallon cans_

Oil, sperm, pints _____

Soap:

Castile, pounds _ _ ___

H. <fc II., cakes . .

Saddle, 1-pound tins

Sponges, 5- inch _

Tata! for am-
Ititlancesection

2
8

2

2

10
8
6
30

:_i o:

f =

39

__a

Tnlnl for field
hospital sec-
tion

2

6

2

2

S
6
4
20

2 to a set.

See note 1.
See note 3.

Allowance for fi mont hs
shown. Only 3
months' allowance is
to be taken overseas.

Or "Paco" soap.

« May be issued to officers on memorandum receipt: quantity shown includes allowance for officers.
6 Not to be taken overseas.

OTHER DIVISIONAL UNITS

Beside the regimental medical detachments, field hospitals, and ambulance
companies, there were other agencies of the Medical Department for which
special unit equipment was considered necessary. They were the division
surgeon, the division veterinarian, and the division mobile veterinary section.

DIVISION SURGEON

The duties of the division surgeon were quite extensive. They were both
advisory on all matters pertaining to the sanitary welfare of the command and
administrative on those pertaining to the personnel and equipment of the
sanitary service under organization commanders. 28 He was required to take
action on all official papers passing through his office, and for this purpose he

286

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

maintained an office of record. He rendered daily consolidated reports of
sanitary personnel, transportation, and patients. For this purpose a large sup-
ply of appropriate blank forms was kept on hand. In addition to these duties,
the division surgeon supervised and directed inspection of the sanitary condi-
tions in the division and of the medical units thereof. He arranged for the
care and disposal of the sick and wounded of the division, and performed
numerous other duties in connection with the medical service of the division. 29
For the use of his office the following equipment was provided: 50

M. M. D. 884

Division surgeon's office

Art ieles

(a) Stationery
Envelopes, official, letter number

Paper:

Blotting . __ . quires

Carbon, letter, 11)1) sheets in a box boxes.

Manifolding—

Cap, 2M) sheets in a package . packages

Letter—

500 sheets In package do___

Perforated, iiOO sheets in package. do...

Typewriter —

Cap, 250 sheets in package. _ do...

Letter, 500 sheets in package do___

(6J Blank Forms, M. D. (par. 961J

No. 61.

.books.

Nos. 12M. I), and 334 W. 1)., of each ... . number

Nos. 46 M. I)., .506 M.D. ,330 \V. D., 330a W. I)., and 335 W. D., of
each, number.

Nos. 59. 84, and 85. of each _ number

No. 70 do....

(c) Miscellaneous

Broom, corn number

Calcium carbide, 2 pounds in tin _ tins

Case, emergency (par. 913) number

Chairs, folding <lo

Containers, for certificates of identity ~ do ""

Desk, field. No. 1 fpar. 940; _._ l~lV.do.il

Lamps, acetylene do

Table, mess, folding ,j

Typewriter _ lllll'.llllll dol...

Typewriters, record ribbons for IJlllllllll do

Total weight. packed-
Cubic space, packed.

.pounds

feet.

A

B

200

1
1

1

2
1

1

1

]

6

12

24

1,000 1,000

1

4
I

3
100
1
2
1
1
2

314
22

1
4
1
3

Hill
1
2
1
1
2

314

22

M
M

M

M
M

M
M

M

M
M

M
M

M
M
M
M

Q
M
M
M
M
M

150 additional in field
desk No. 1.

1 box additional
field desk No. 1.

Tsstied only in time of
war. (See par. 544.)

Issued only in time of
war.

, Note.— Tentage and other quartermaster supplies for the division surgeon's office are included in the allowances
of division headquarters as published in Equipment Tables, Quartermaster Supplies. "auies

M. M. D. 885.

BLANK FORMS, DIVISION SURtlEON's EMERGENCY SUPPLY

Eacli division staff officer is required by Army Regulations to keep on hand an emer-
gency supply of blank forms pertaining to his department, preferably carried in the supply
train. Such emergency supply for the division surgeon will consist of the following:

Nos. 12, 17, and 17c, of each.number-. 6
Nos. 19, 24, 32, 50b, 59, and 74, of each

number- - 12

Nos.37, 47n, 48, 49, 50, 56, 78, 84, and

85, of each number.. 24

No. 28 number _ 50

Nos. 36, 53, 82, and 83, of each.. _do -- 100

Nos. 17a, 17b, and 77, of each. do 500

Weight, packed pou nds

12

Note. — For key to form numbers see par. 961.

FIELD EQUIPMENT 287

DIVISION VETERINARIAN

The division veterinarian was one of the technical assistants of the division
surgeon. His duties related to the care of the animals of the division and to
the professional supervision of the veterinary personnel attached to the divi-
sion. His duties were closely related to those of the division surgeon, but
because of the special character of the work done the division veterinarian was
provided with the following office equipment: 31 a

Brooms, corn number. _ 1

Candles do 24

Chair, folding do 3

Desk, field, No. 1. veterinary do 1

Lantern, candle, folding number— 2

Typewriter do 1

Typewriter ribbon do 2

MOBILE VETERINARY SECTION

In the development of units of organization of the Veterinary Corps in
1917-18 to adapt it to field service and combat conditions a divisional unit
was provided under the title " Mobile veterinary section." One such section was
allowed each division. The duties of this organization with reference to dis-
abled animals were similar to those of a field hospital in the care of the disabled
personnel of the division. A unit equipment was designed and provided for
this organization. Inclusive of the individual equipment of commissioned
and enlisted personnel of the organization this unit equipment contained the
following: 32
Boxes, pack mule (for miscellaneous Saddle, pack — number. 1

articles) number.

Chest:

Veterinary field unit do 4

Veterinary officer's do 1

Wallet:

Farrier's do 2

Veterinary officer's do 1

REFERENCES

(1) Manual for Medical Department, 1902, pp. 152, 171.

(2) Ibid., 1902, par. 288.

(3) Ibid., 1906, pars. 544-553.

(4) Ibid., 1911, pars. 560, 622, 628.

(5) Ibid., 1906, par. 559.

(6) Ibid., 1916, par. 886.

(7) Ibid., 1906, par. 553.

(8) Ibid., 1916, page 211.

(9) Ibid., 1916, par. 879, p. 286, Equipment C.

(10) Ibid., 1916, par. 881.

(11) Ibid., 1916, par. 691.

(12) Ibid., 1916, pars. 692-693.

(13) Ibid., 1911, pars. 648-650; Manual for the Medical Department, 1916, par. 694.

(14) Ibid., 1916, par. 702 (a).

(15) Ibid., 1916, par. 703.

(16) Ibid., 1916, par. 707.

(17) Ibid., 1916, par. 707 (a).

(18) First Indorsement Surgeon General to the Chief of Staff, December 9, 1915, relative

to medical supply depots and reserve supplies. On file, Record Room, S. G. O.,
152911 (Old Files").

■ A more complete description of this equipment will be found under veterinary equipment.

288 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(19) Data compiled in 1927 from the property returns of the Field Medical Supply Depot.

On file in the Office of the Chief of Finance under the supervision of C. K. Stoddard,
Principal Clerk, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.

(20) Letters, Surgeon General, to the medical supply officers at St. Louis, Mo., March 3,

1917, and San Francisco, Calif., May 23, 1917, relative to assembling medical unit
equipment. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 12892-x-l (Old Files).

(21) Memorandum from the Militia Bureau to the Surgeon General, May 23, 1917, relath e to

National Guard medical units, which required equipment. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 12892-X-l (Old Files).

(22) Equipment "C" supplies, Field Hospital, Par. S79, Medical Supplies Only, Field

Medical Supply Depot, 1918. On file, Medical Section, New York General
Intermediate Depot, Army Supply Base, Brooklyn, X. Y.

(23) Manual for the Medical Department, 1916, pars. 668-690.

(24) Ibid., 1916, par. 878.

(25) Ibid., 1916, par. 876.

(26) General Orders, Nos. 63 and 137, War Department, July 23 and October 30, 1917.

(27) Data compiled in Surgeon General's Office during the war period, in possession of the

author.

(28) Manual for the Medical Department, 1916, par. 743.

(29) Ibid., 1916, par. 744.

(30) Ibid., 1916, par. 884-885.

(31) Par. 992. Additional paragraph to Manual for the Medical Department, 1916, proposed

by the Surgeon General, February 19, 1918, and used thereafter. On file, Finance

■ a , r>- • • q r< r, "50-714 S. G.
and Supply Division, S. (Jr. O., ^on

(32) First indorsement, Surgeon General, to division veterinarian, 88th Division, Camp

Dodge, Iowa, July 23, 1918, relative to overseas equipment. On file, Finance and

u . n- ■ • c n n 531-123 Dodge
Supply Division, b. U. U., -^Tr —•

CHAPTER XVII
EVACUATION HOSPITAL

The Medical Department units necessary to an army in the field are those
with the combat troops, and those primarily of the line of communications or
communications zone. To the units with combat troops belong; the medical
units of the division already considered. They are integral parts of the division
and are required wherever the division may be, in camp or in combat, whether
operating alone or combined wuth other divisions into corps and armies. When
combined into corps and armies other medical units of like organization are
attached to the corps or army for service with corps or army troops not parts
of divisions. They also constitute a reserve which may be used by the chief
surgeon of the corps or army whenever it is necessary to augment the units of
the division. To the units of the line of communications, or communications
zone, belong evacuation hospitals and base, camp, and convalescent hospitals.

The evacuation hospital is essentially mobile and it follows closely in the
rear of the divisional units. 1 Its primary function is to relieve the field hospi-
tals after combat either by taking over the patients and equipment in situ, with
an exchange of equipment, or by transfer of the patients alone. 2 The evacua-
tion hospital may be established during the battle in sufficiently close proximity
to the battle field to receive patients directly from the ambulance, dressing, or
collecting stations. In which event it serves as an adjunct to the divisional
field hospital and takes its place. In either event its presence permits the
division field hospitals to clear promptly and proceed with the division of which
they are a part. 2

The equipment of an evacuation hospital is much more extensive and com-
plete than that of the field hospital. It moves only when its presence is required
by reason of a battle. It may be transported by animal-drawn transportation,
by motor truck, or by rail. It is usually established near a rail head 3 and is
more apt to move by rail than by other means of transportation. Its equip-
ment, while not nearly so comprehensive as that of the base hospital, is suffi-
ciently complete to provide effectual treatment for the sick and wounded with
a reasonable degree of comfort. 4

The treatment administered at evacuation hospitals is ordinarily as complete
as the existing condition will admit. If the wounded are coming in rapidly and
in large numbers, the surgical treatment must be limited to emergency opera-
tions, the treatment of shock, and the better preparation of the wounded for
transport. If the wounded arrive slowly, in small numbers, and an early move
of the hospital be not in prospect, complete operative treatment may be given
even during the battle. 5

30663—28 19 289

290 FIXANCE AND SUPPLY

The equipment provided is of the field type, essentially the same as that
of the field hospital. It is more comprehensive than the latter and more exten-
sive since it is intended to care for a greater number of patients. As originally
planned, the equipment provided for 324 patients and was considered commen-
surate with its mission. 6 This equipment was first introduced into the supply
table of the Medical Department in 191 1. 7

During the years 1912-1916 such changes were made in the equipment of
the evacuation hospital as changes in standard field equipment and a more
adequate conception of its mission indicated. These changes were generally
along the lines of simplicity, durability, efficiency and portability of equipment.
Better designs were effected. Improved articles were substituted. New arti-
cles were added to provide better treatment. Unnecessary articles were elimi-
nated. The normal bed capacity of the evacuation hospital was expanded from
324 in 1911 to 450 in 1916. 4 The weight of the equipment of 1911 was, medi-
cal, 40,166 pounds; quartermaster, including tentage and camp equipment but
exclusive of transportation, 24,654 pounds; 8 aggregate, 64,820 pounds. This
equipment required for its transportation 17 standard trucks or two standard
freight cars, which were not completely filled. 9 The weight of the 1916 equip-
ment under the same conditions, although providing for 450 patients instead
of 324, was, medical, 34,663 pounds; quartermaster, 19,275 pounds; total, 53,938
pounds. 10

Observations in the theater of operations in 1917 convinced the chief surgeon,
A. E. F., that the standard equipment of the evacuation hospital would be inade-
quate to the conditions of warfare then existing. 11 The battle lines were more
or less fixed by reason of the trench warfare which then obtained. Moves of
the evacuation hospital were of comparatively infrequent occurrence. Evacua-
tion hospitals took on more and more the functions of base hospitals; they
became the hospitals of the sector where a great deal of major surgery was
done. Because of a steady flow of casualties in comparatively large numbers,
it became necessary to expand these hospitals and to augment their equipment
as to both quantity and variety. 12 The capacity of the evacuation hospital
was increased to 1,000 patients, with an emergency expansion to 2,000. 13 The
following list shows the initial equipment of a 1,000-bed evacuation hospital:

List of medical supplies for the initial equipment of 1,000-bed evacuation hospital (overseas)

(Revised, S. O. O., June 29, 1918)
Medicines, Etc.

Quantity

Acidum boricura, pulvis. pounds.. so

Acidum salicylicum, 324-mgm., 400 tablets tins.. 6

.'Ether, X pound in tin do 1,000

Alcohol, 3 pints in tin do 400

Amylis nitris, 5-drop, 12 in bo\. boxes.. 50

Apomorphinfe hydroehloridum, R-mgm. hypoder-
mic tablets, 20 in tube tubes.. 24

Argenti nitras crystals, 1 ounce in bottle. ..bottles.. 6

Argenti nitras fusus, 1 ounce in bottle do 6

Acidum acetylsalicylicum, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in

bottle .bottles.. 30

Barbital, 324-mgm. tablets, 100 in bottle do 24

Chloralum hydratum, 324-mgm, 400 tablets in

tin _ tins.. (i

Quantity

Chloroformnm, K-pound tin tins.. 500

Cocainae hydrochloridum, 10-mgm. hypodermic tab-
lets, 20 in tube.. tubes.. 40

Codeina, 32-mgm., MX) tablets in tin .. ..tins.. 6

Collodium, l-ounee bottle.. bottles.. 50

Foot powder (par. 9921, K-Pound tin tins.. 300

Glycerinum, 3 pints in tin do 20

Hexamethylenamina (urotropin), 324-mgm. tablets,

600 in tin.. tirJS 10

Hydrargyri chloridum eorrosivum, tablets (antisep-
tic), 250 in bottle bottles.. 40

Hydrargyri chloridum mite, 32-mgm. tablets, 1,000

in bottle ..bottles.. 12

Ichthyolum, 3 ounces in bottle do 12

FIELD EQUIPMENT

291

Quantity

Iodine swabs, 6 in box boxes.. 2(H)

Iodum-potassii iodidum .-tubes., 700

Linimentum rubcfaoicns, 2IH) tablets in tin (par.

902) tins.. 20

Magnesii sulphas, 3 pounds in tin do 10ft

Mistura glycyrrhizae eomposita, tablets (par. 902),

3.600intin tins.. 10

Morphina?, sulphas:

8-mgm. hypodermie tablets, 20 in tube, .tubes.. 50O

8-mgm., 000 tablets in tin tins..

Normal saline solution, 150 tablets in tin (par.

902) tins.. 3")

Oleum ricini, 3 pints in tin.. do 30

Oleum terehinthinae rcctifioatum, 3 pints in tin

tins.. 40

Petrolatum, 12 ounces in tin do 100

Phenol, \i pound in bottle ...bottles.. 32

Phenylis salicylas (Salol), 324-mgm. tablets, 5(H) in

bottle. bottles— 12

Pilniee aloini composites (or tablets) ipar. 902), 750

in tin tins.. 12

Pilulse eamphorse et opii (or tablets) (par. 902) 875

in tin tins.. 10

Pilulse carthartica? compositse (or tablets), 1,200 in

tin tins.. 20

Pilulse ferri composites (or tablets) (par. 902), 1,200

in tin tins.. 12

Plumhi acetas, 131-mgm., 600 tablets in tin. ..do 12

Postassii bromidum, 324-mgm., 500 tablets in bot-
tle bottles.. 12

Potassiichloras, 324-mgm., 1,20(1 tablets in tin. tins.. 12

Potassii iodidum, 324-mgm., 500 tablets
tie bottles..

Protargol (or equivalent), 1 ounce in bottle. .do

Pulvis ipecacuanha? et opii, 324-mgm. tablets, 700
in tin. tins..

Quinina* hydrochlorosulphas, 32-mgm. hypoder-
mic tablets, 20 in tube tubes..

Quininas sulphas, 200-mgm., 1, 0(H) tablets in tin
tins..

Sapo mollis (green soap), 1 pound in jar jars..

Sodii bicarbonas, pulvis. __ pounds..

Sodii bicarbonas et mentha piperita tablets (par.
902), 100 in tin tins..

Sodii carbonas monohydratus, for surgical use. ' _,
pound in tin tins..

Sodii salicylas, 324-mgm., 600 tablets in tin.. .do

Spiritus ammonia 1 aramaticus, ) 2 pound in bot-
tle bottles..

Spiritus frumenti, 1 quart in bottle do

Strychnime sulphas, 1-rngm. hypodermic tablets. 20
in tuhe ..tubes..

Sulphur lotum, v i pound in tin tins..

Tincture digitalis, 0.3 c. c, 800 tablets in tin. do

Tincture opii. '■:> pound in bottle bottles..

Trochisci ammonii chloridi, 350 in tin tins..

Unguentum hydrargyri, \' 2 pound in bottle-bottles..

Cnguentum hydrargyri chloridi mitis, 30 percent,
y 2 pound in bottle bottles..

Zinci oxidum, powder, },i pound in tin tins..

Zinci sulphas, 321-mgm. tablets, 250 in tin do

Quantity
liot-

12

mo

20
200
100

80
12

3'i
12}

200

48
12
18
21

in

18

12

12

Note. — If containers as given above are not available, equ

ivalent quantities in other containers will be furnished.

Stationery

dozen.

-number.
do...

Bands, elastic...

Books, blank:

Crown (cap), 250 page?

8vo, 150 pages

Books, note, manifolding, 4 by fi inches:

Binders do

Fillers '. do

Envelopes, official:

barge.. do

better do

Erasers, rubber:

Pencil ...do

Typewriter do

Ink:

Black, powder (or tablets) boxes..

Red, powder (or tablets) .do

Labels:

For vials gross..

Poison dozen-
Pads, prescription ..do

24
24

24

48

300
1,500

12
12

6
6

24

48
24

Paper:

Blotting quires..

Carbon-
Cap, 100 sheets in box boxes..

Letter, 100 sheets in box do

Fasteners do

Manifolding—

Cap, 250 sheets in package packages. .

Letter, 500 sheets in package do

Typewriter-
Cap, 250 sheets in package do

Letter, 500 sheets in package ...do

Writing-
Letter, 100 sheets in pad pads..

Note, 100 sheets in pad do

Paste, photo, in tube, with brush tubes..

Pencils:

Indelible --- dozen..

Lead — number..

Penholders do

Pens, steel — gross..

4

8
12

8
12

30

150

12

12

144

36

3

Miscellaneous

Acetylene lighting and heating unit (par. 927!- 2 )

number.. 2

Alcohol, denatured, 2 quarts in tin tins.. 200

Apparatus, restraint (par. 904) number.. 2

Aprons, rubber ... do 100

Atomizers, hand. rlo 72

Bags, rubber, hot-water and syringe do 100

Bandages:

Gauze, compressed, 3 inch, 1 gross in box

_ boxes.. 230

Plaster of Paris, 3-inch, in individual packets
dozen.. IS

Bandages— Continued.

Rubber, Martin number.. 24

Suspensory... -- ..dozen.. 16

Basins, hand, enamel ware number.. 120

Bedpans, enamel ware or aluminum ware do 50

Bed sacks do.— 500

Blankets:

Gray do.... 4.000

Rubber -- do — no

Books, medical, box of (par. 908) do 1

Bougies, flexible, Nos. 11, 13, IS, 17,20.22. French

scale number.. 24

292

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Boxes: Quantity

Folding for tablets dozen.. 360

Fracture, folding number. _ 3

Ointment, 3 in nest nests.. 720

Brooms, corn number.. 72

Brushes:

Hand, fiber do.... 200

Scrubbing do 200

Buckets:

Enamel ware, 3 in nest nests. . 20

Galvanized iron number., 100

Cases:

Bedding-
Large, empty do 240

Small, empty do SO

Emergency (par. 913) do 5

Catheters, flexibl?-.-. ....do...- 100

Chairs, folding do 1C0

Chests:

Commode (par. 928) do 24

Cooking utensils (par. 929) do 6

Medical and surgical (par 932) do 5

Supplementary (par. 933) do 2

Tableware (par. 936) do IS

Corks, assorted, 300 in bag bags.. 8

Corkscrews number..

Cots... do.... 500

Cotton, absorbent:

In roll pounds.. 200

Sterilized, 1 ounce., in package packages.. 2.000

Crutches:

Assorted lengths pairs.. 100

Rubber tips for, assorted sizes number . 600

Cups, enamel ware do 1,500

Cushions:
Rubber-
Open center do 75

Small. do-— 25

Surgical, Kelly's do.... 12

Desks, field No. 1 (par. 910) do 2

Dippers do 24

Eye shades:

Double do 200

Single do 100

First-aid packets (par. 944) do 500

Flags, staffs for do.. . 1

Flasks, Erlenmeycr, 2-liter do 50

Funnels, aluminum ware do 2f

Gauze:
Plain—

25 yards in roll. ..yards.. 2, 000

Sterilized 2 half-yard lengths, in packages

packages.. 1,000

Sublimated, half-yard lengths, in package

packages.. 3.000

Gloves, rubber, 0'3, 7, 7M. 8 . 8 K; 80 of each. . pairs 400

Gowns, operating number . 300

Graduates, glass ._ ...do 24

100 e. c... do 24

250c. c do 12

600c.c do 12

Individual dressing packets (par. 919) do ".(H)

Inhalers, chloroform, Esmareh, with drop bottles

number..

Lanterns:

Globes for—

Green do 24

White do 144

Wicks for do 360

Without globes or wicks do 72

Litters: Quantity

With slings number.. 200

Extra canvas for ..pieces.. 150

Extra tacks for, 75 in package packages.. 150

Matches, safety boxes _ dozen.. 72

Medicine droppers number.. 144

Medicine glasses do 144

Mortars and pestles, porcelain, 7-cm. .do 4

Muslin, unbleached yards. 300

Needles, common papers.. 144

Needles, surgical, assorted dozen.. 72

Pajama suits number.. 3,000

Paper:

I, iimus, 100 strips, in vial; blue, 6: red, 6. vials.. 12

Toilet packages.. 500

Wrapping, brown quires.. 24

Pill tiles, hard rubber number . 2

Pillowcases, cotton do 2,000

Pillow sacks.... do 500

Pins:

Common papers.. 144

Safety, 3 sizes ..dozen.. 240

Pitchers, 3-liter enamel ware number.. 36

Plaster:

Adhesive-
Zinc oxide, 5 yards by 1 inch spools. _ 400

Zinc oxide, 5 yards by 2 1 £ inches do 144

Isinglass, 1 yard, in roll.. _. rolls.. 50

Moleskin yards. _ 20

Plaster of Paris, 4 pounds in tin tins.. 30

Pus basins number.. 72

Razors (par 932) .do 24

Razor strops for (par. 932) do 6

Rope, ?-S-inch feet.. 600

Shears number.. 6

Sheets, cotton do 2,ooo

Silk, oiled (or equivalent), 5 yards in roll rolls.. 10

Spatulas 3-inch (par. 932) number.. fi

Splints:

Coaptation, 5, in set sets.. 48

Hodgen's number.. 12

Wire gauze for, 1 yard.inroll rolls . 72

Wood, veneer :... number.. 300

Stethoscopes, double (par. 933) do 6

Stoves, blue flame:

One burner do 36

Extra wicks for do 72

Sutures:

Catgut, chromicized, 3 sizes in package

packages.. 1,000

Horsehair, 100 in coil coils.. 24

Catgut, plain, 3 sizes in package. ....packages.. 2,000

Silk, 3 sizes in package do 600

Silkworm gut, 100 in coil coils.. 100

Silver wire, in yard lengths yards.. 24

Syringes, hypodermic (par. 956) number.. 60

Syringes:

Hypodermic—

Extraneedles for do 360

Extra wires for . . bundles.. 60

Penis, glass, in case .. number.. 144

Tables:

Bedside, folding do 100

Mess, folding __ do 48

Operating, field, folding do 12

Typewriter, folding _ ..do 12

Tape measure, 60-inch do 12

Test tubes, 3 in nest nests.. 60

Thermometers, clinical — number.. 400

Thread, cotton, assorted ..spools.. 72

FIELD EQUIPMENT

293

Quantity

Tournki nets and bandages, rubber number..

Towels:

Bath dozen

Dish <lo

Hand do

Trays, instrument, enamel ware number..

Tubes, stomach do

Tubing, drainage, imperforated yards

Twine, fine. 5 pounds, and coarse, '-'it pounds
__ pounds .

Typewriters number ..

48

1711
21
1,000
24
IS
360

12

Typewriters, record ribbons for number

Urinals, enamel ware or aluminum ware do

Urinotneter.s do

Venereal prophylaxis units (par. 958) do

Vials:

l-ounce. dozen

2-ouwe do

4-ounee _ .do

Wire cutters number..

Chests, field laboratory, Xos. 1. 2. 3, I, 5, and fi (as
per attached list of contents) .number..

Quantity

Contents of Fikld Laboratory Chest No. 1

Blood lancet

Bottles, narrow-mouth, 60 c. c, cap

Pipettes, Barnes, for above bottles

Homers, alcohol, 4-ounoe

Cover glasses No. 1, 22 ram. square...

File, triangular. 4-inch

Forceps, medium fine, 115-mm

.number..

....do....
...do.—
....do....
....do....
.—do....
.--.do....

Funnels, glass, with (10° angle ground rims, 75 mm.

diameter. _. number .

Glass tubing, soft for bending, ear-h piece 30 cm.

long, 8 mm. diameter pieces. .

Graduates, glass, 30 c. c number..

Heemocytometer, complete- in leather eas". double

Nebauer ruling number..

IlEemoglobinometer _. do

Jars, Coplin, staining do

Labels:

Microscopic books..

Dennison, No. 2)1. do

Microscope number.

Mechanical stage do

Needles, inoculating do

Paper, filtering:

For blotting sli ies 2 by 2 ..sheets..

150mm.. ..packages..

Pencils:

Lead ...number..

Wax-
Blue _.do

lied do....

Pipettes:

Dropping, 10 cm ...do

1 c. c. graduated in one one-thousandths
- number. .

10 c. c. graduated in one-tenths do

Rubber tubing, 3-mm. bore by 1-nim. wall for

hsernacytometers — centimeters..

Slides:

75 by 25 mm cartons

Concave center. numbers..

Syringes:

Luer, 10 c. c. with 2 needles..

Needles, 37 mm. by 20 gauge -

Test tubes:

Thin wall with lip 150 by 18 mm-.

Thin wall with lip 120 by 16 mm..

Thin wall with lip 100 by 12 mm do

t'nnometer, Squibbs.. do

Wire:

Copper, 16-gnuge spools..

.do....
.do..-

.do.
.do..

1

Wire— Continued.

Niehrome. 20-gauge centimeters..

Baskets, wire, for culture tubes number. .

Burners, Tirrill. ._ do

Tripod for above. do

Paper, filtering, for blotting slides, 480 by 480

A mm _ sheets..

Pipettes:

1 c. c. inoneone-hundredths number..

10 c. e. in one-tenths do

Pipette box do

Rods, stirring:

20 cm. long by 4.8 mm. diameter do

25 cm. long by 8 mm. diameter do

Rubber tubing, cloth wrapped, 6-mm. bore coil--

Support with iron base, 10 cm. by 15 cm., rod 45

cm. by 8 mm number..

Kings for above 68 mm do

Rings for above 95 mm do

Test tubes:

Heavy wall, without lip, 150 by 16 do

Medium wall, without lip, 75 by 10 do

Thermometers:

100°C do

200°C do...

Towels, hand, standard do

Balance prescription _ do

Weights for above do_...

Blank book. 150 pages do

Standard Methods of Water Analysis . ..copy.

Box for matches ... number

Bos for soap do

Brushes, test tube _ do

Burners, Khotal do

Cards, record ... - . do

Clamps. Mohr's, pinchcocks:

5 cm _ .- do

6.25 cm ...do

Color comparison tubes __do

Counting plate, .letters do

Funnel, enamel:

8.5 cm — do

llcm__ -. ....do

Funnels, glass:

Ground rims, 65 mm do

Ribbed . do

Gasometer scale do

Graduate, 250 c.c do

Matches, safety _ boxes.

Paper filter, 100 mm. diameter packages..

Contents or Fielp Laboratory Chest No. 2

Acid:

Acetic, 99 per cent, in 1-pound bottle ..bottles..

Sulphuric, in ! 4 '-pound bottle ...do

Bismarck brown, in 10-gram bottle do

Copper sulphate, in l-ounce bottle . . bottles. .

Kosin, in 10-gram bottle do

Fuchsin, in 10-gram bottle ... do

Gentian violet in 10-gram bottle ... ..do

36

50

6

I

48
4

9

24
A
1

1
1
1

1
1
1

225
225

2
2
12
1
1
1
1
I

1

2

2

200

1

1
6

1

1
1
1
24
3

294

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Quauti

Iodine, in 1-ounce bottle bottles..

Mercuric chloride, in 1.4-pound bottle. do

Methylene blue:

Loeffler's, in 50-C. c. bottle do

In 10-gram bottle do

Aniline oil, in 50-c. c. bottle do

Paraffin, 52, in 1-ounco tin tins

Petrolatum, in 1-ounce bottle bottles..

Phenol, in 1-ounce bottle do

do....

do.__.

do....

.ampoules..

bottles..

. S. P.

vials .
..do....

Potassium iodide, in 1-ounce bottle ...
Sodium chloride, in 1. 4-pound bottle. .
Sodium sulphate, in 1.4-pound bottle .
Wright's stain, in 0.02-gram ampoules

Bottles (citrate of magnesia)

Bottles. 4-ounce glass stoppered, narrow mouth, filled
with the following reagents:
Acid-
Nitric, 10 per cent solution bottles..

Sulphanilio, 1 per cent do

Sulphuric, concentrated do

Diphenylamine, 0.02 per cent solution do

Naphthalaniine, 1 per cent solution do

Sodium chloride solution do

Agar agar, in 1-pound packages paekages_.

Bacto bile, in 1 -pound bottle bottles..

Beef extract, in J^-pound jars jars..

Contents Of Fif.i.

Sterilizer, hot air, Lautcnschlager form, 12 by 18 by 9 Inches, for kerosene heating, with 2 Khotal burners.. number..

Contents ok Field Laboratory Chest No. 4

Autoclave, copper, with hinged lid on sheet-iron base. Inside dimensions. It inches diameter by 24 inches deep,

with 2 baskets, to be heated with Khotal burner - -- number, .

Contents of Fiei.p Laboratory Chest No. a
Acetylene lighting and heating unit (par.927H M.M. D.) -

Contents of Fiei.p Laboratory Chest No. li

Quantity

Dextrose, in 1-pound bottles bottles.. 1

Fuchsin acid, in 10-gram hottle do 1

Lactose, in 1-pound bottle do 1

Litmus powder, in Jf-pound bottles do 4

Normal saline solution, tablets in 1-pound hottle

bottles.. 1

Peptone, in 1-pound bottle do 1

Silver nitrate, saturated solution do 1

Sodium carbonate, in 1-pound bottle ...do —

.do

.do- —
.do....
_do..._

Sodium hydroxide, in ^j-pound bottle.
Sodium sulphite, in H-pound bottle ..

Saccharose, in 1-pound hottle ..

Sodium chloride, in 1-pound hottle, 1'
Litmus paper, in vials:

Blue

Red

Alcohol:

Ethyl, in 1 -pound bottle .bottles..

Methyl, in 1-pound bottle ... do

Petri dishes number..

Holders do

Sternberg field outfit — do

Tanks, tin, 1% by 5 inches, to hold alcohol and min-
eral oil number..

Formaldehyde, 40 per cent do

Chloroform, 8-ounee bottle do

p Laboratory Chest No. 3

.number.

Microscope number.. l

Mechanical stage do 1

Dark ground illuminator do 1

Additional Articles

Funnel stop number..

Micro lamp complete . do

Xylol pounds..

meihctnes

Ilydrargyri salieylas, 1 ounce in bottles bottles..

Iodine crystals, 1 ounce in bottles do

Procaine, I ounce in bottles... do

miscellaneous

Apparatus, X-ray, standard set • number..

Applicators for throat, wood, boxes gross..

Basins for sponges, etc., enamel ware number. .

Bedsteads, white enamel, standard — do

Boilers, instrument, portable, small do

Bottles, 4-liter, for antiseptic solutions do

Cabinets for dressings and instruments do

Cases:

Aspirating (par. 910). do

Ear, nose, and throat (par. 912) do

Eye (par. 914) . do....

Forceps, hemostatic (par. 915) do

General operating (par. 916) do

Genitourinary (par. 917} .. do

Post-mortem (par. 924) do

Chests, tool, No. 1 (par. 937). do

Cots, metal, folding" do

Irrigators, graduated 2-liters do

« For the present these items will be obtained by

10
00

500
24
20

2

I

8
6
2
1
1
500
33

Mattresses, for standard white enamel bedsteads

. number..

Mattress pads for metal folding cots« do

Mortars and pestles, wedgewood. 20-cm do

Pails, commode (close stools) do

Patching outfits for rubber gloves, etc do

Pi How cases, cotton do

Pillows:

Feat her.. do

Hair do

Scales and weights:

Apothecaries, metric system (par. 845).. do

Balance in glass case. do

Sheeting, rubber ...yards..

Sheets, cotton number..

Shirls, night.. do

Soap:

Common.-. -.. .... pounds..

Ivory . do

Scouring do

Stools, revolving, white enamel number .

Suits, convalescent, heavy do

Tables, dressing, ward, rolling, enamel or galvanized
iron number..

1

24

2

500

500

4

36

4,000

1, 100

1,000

1

1

200

4,000

4,000

400

200

100

12

2, 000

requisition upon arrival at station overseas.

FIELD EQUIPMENT

295

Quantity

Tongue depressors, wood gross.. 20

Tubing, drainage, red rubber:

m-ineh ...yards.. 200

j^-inch do SC

%-inch do..-. 20

'A-'mch .do...- 10

INSTRUMENTS

Apparatus, Carrel-Dakin (revised), with extra arti-
cles and chemicals number-
Drums, nickel, sterilizing dressings:

10-inch diameter do

9-inch diameter do

Forceps, dressing, 6-inch, medium do

Needles, Reverdin do

Opthalmoseopes do

Retractors, deep, "} -i-inch, with 2-inch hook— pairs—
Speculum, rectal (Sims), bivalve, wrought metal

number..

Sterilizers, standard outfit, including autoclaves"

number. _

Syringes, glass, Luer:

2c. c. do

10 c. c do

30c.c do

Extra needles for 2 c. c, 10 c. c, 30 c. c, of

each dozen..

Tips, intravenous, infusion metal do

Catalogue
No.

Scalpels:

5 l /i-mch-. number.

6'4-inch do...

Scissors:

Dissecting, Mayo, curved . = > I 2 -inch..do..-
Straight—

Mayo do...

102.
103.

108.

109.

Catalogue Quantity

No.

Scissors — Continued.
Straight— Conl inued.
Double blunt —

5H-inch number.

fi'/Hnch do..

1-point, sharp 5-'i-inch do.-

Double point, sharp 5^-inch .__ do—

Bandage do__

Forceps:

Hemostatic (Kochcr) do

Intestinal (Doyen) —

Straight, 9-inch .. .do..

Curved, 9-inch do..

Spongc holders, long do..

Tissue, Allis, 6-inch do...

Dressing, 10-inch do...

Thumb, plain, 54-inch. _ do..

Tissue, mouse-toothed, 5'2-ineh do..

Needle holder:

Richest, 7-inch do—

Hcgar, 7t 2-inch do..

Forceps:

Towel (Backhaus) 6-inch do..

Bullct 8-inch (Senn) do..

140,1. Tourniquet, Esmarch's, with chain. ..do...

151. Retractor, Sharp, 4-tooth, 8!4-inch do..

Probes, 8-inch do..

Directors, grooved do..

Forccps:

Bone-cutting (Liston). — do— .

Rongeur, curved (Horsley) 8'i-inch.do..

Sequcstrum, screw lock do...

Currettes, bone, sizes, 2, 4, 6 sets

313. Tongue depressors (Farlow) number

430. Sphygmomanometer do...

455. Mask, metal, Yankauer do..

1)30. Politzer bags do—

110.
110-1

111.

112.
115.

120.

124.
125.
126.
127.
128.
130.
131.

132.
133.

134.

135.

M. M. D. 913.

Case, emergency

324

324
324

65
5.5

(In aluminum, brass, or leather case, with detachable sling)

Tablets, hypodermic, extra (1 tube of each):

nigitalinum.. --- mgm—

Quininse hydrochlorosulphas. do

Instruments, etc.:

Bistouries, curved and straight, of each,

number..

Case, linen, for instruments do

Forceps-
Dissecting do

Hemostatic do

Needles, surgical, assorted.. do

Plaster, isinglass, 5 by IS inches rolls..

Scalpel - - number-
Scissors, straight do

Sutures-
Silk, sterilized, 3sizcs in package. packages-
Silver wire, sterilized, 1 yard do

Syringe, hypodermic (par. 956) ..number-
Thermometer, clinical do

12
12

24
40

6
6
111(1
24
60
72
36

60
6
24
36
24
24

12
6
6
4

12
2

12

Tablets, in !i-ounee h. r. bottles:

Acetphenetidinum (phenacelin) . ., nigra

Aspirin do..

Bismuthi subnitras do..

Caffeina citrata. - do__

Hcroini hydrochloridum do—

Hydrargyri chlor. corros. (par. 902)

Hydrargyri chlor. mite mgm.. 32

Mistura glycyrrh. comp. (par. 902)

Morphina? sulphas mgm.. 8

Pilllla? aloini comp. (par. 902)

Pilula 1 camphors et opii (par. 902)

Pilulae cathart. comp

Potassii hromidum ._mgm__ 324

Pulvis ipecac, et opii do 324

Quinine sulphas do 200

Sodii hicarhonas do 324

Sodii bicarb, et menth. pip. (par. 902) —

Sodii salicylas mgm— 324

Tincture digitalis c. c__ 0.3

Veronal mgm.. 324

Note.— For tropical use the contents of the emergency case, as listed above, are packed in a canvas roll, each roll
containing, in addition, a brass box for sutures and hypodermic tubes.

296

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

M. M. D. 927^

Acetylene lighting and heating unit
(In wooden box with hinged lid. Prest-O-Lite cylinder in separate box or crate)

Lighting unit:

Burner tips, extra number..

Cylinders, P res to-O- Lite, 70 cubic feet.._do

Case, fiber, for fixtures and tools do

Fixture with one H-foot burner do

Fixture with four ' o-foot burners, with reflector

and chain do

Gaskets, lead do

Pliers do

Straps, webbing, for attachment of tubing to

tent pole? ...do

Tubing, noncollapsible, two 2.Vfoot lengths,

willi connections feet__

50

Lighting unit— Continued.

Valve, pressure -reducing . number..

Valve key do

White lead, in compressible tube tube..

Wrench, open end, and valve. number..

Heating attachment:

Connection, 2-way (.packed with lighting unit)
number..

Hot plate (4-unit) do

Tubing, noncollapsible, 8-foot piece, with con-
nections pieces..

Note L— The light and heat unit is simple in construction, and instructions for operating are furnished with each
outfit.

Note 2.— When a Presto-O-Lite cylinder is exhausted it should be sent immediately to the proper depot or supply
station for exchange.

Note 3.— Care should be taken in packing the fixtures to insure against damage in transportation.

Note 4.— When a full flow of gas is not required for heating or lighting, the valves should be closed enough to
provide only the minimum quantity needed.

M. M. D. 928

Chest, commode

(Iron-bound wooden chest, with hinged top, removable bottom, and hasp and button, weight 62 pounds)

1

Bedpan, whiteenamel number

Chamber pot, white enamel do._

Paper, toilet packages

Spit cup, white enamel number.

Urinal, white enamel..... do.

M. M. D. 929.

Chest, cooking utensils
(Iron bound chest, weight 134 pounds*

Batter whip and mixer number..

Biscuit cutter, rotary do

Bread board. _ do

Cake turner do ...

Can openers . do

Cleaver, butcher's do

Clothesline feel

Cookbook, Army. number. _

Corkscrew- and opener. do

Dipper. do__._

Dishes, vegetable and pudding do

Kgg whisk do

Emergency Diet for the Sick, Munson... do

Forks, flesh do

Knife and saw, combination. _ ._._ do

Knife, butcher's . _ ..do

Ladle, soup do

Lantern - do

Masher, potato ... .number.

Match box do...

Nail box, filled _. .do...

Nutmeg grater _ .do —

Flatters, meat do...

Pot chain and scraper ... .. do —

Sickle do.._

Snap box „_ . do...

Spice box, with fi cans .do. ...

Spoons, serving do —

Squeezer, lemon do...

Steel, butcher's . do...

Tea steeper do___

Tea strainer do.. .

Towels, dish ...do...

Trays, serving. .. .._ <lo___

Wire, annealed coils.

Wire cutter and pliers number

M. M. D. 932.

Chest, medical and surgical

(Weight, lot) pounds)

Medicines and Antiseptics

Adrenalin chlorid, 1-mgm. tablets 20 in tube
, --tubes. _

Alcohol, 12 ounces in bottle.. bottles..

Apomorphina 3 hydrochloridum, 0-ingm. hypoder-
mic tablets, 20 in tube , , ..tubes. _

Atropine sulphas, 0.65-mgm, hypodermic tablets
20 in tube tubes..

Bismuthi subnitras, 324-mgm. tablets, 700 in 12-
ounce tin tins

Chloroformum, l ,i pound in tin do

Cocainse hydrochloridum, 10-rngm. hypodermic
tablets, 20 in tube __ tubes..

Digitalinum, 1-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20 in tube
tubes..

FIELD EQUIPMENT

297

Emetinae hydroehloridum, 22-mgm. hypodermic
tablets, 20 in tube ...tubes.. 5

Foot powder (par. 902) tins.. 1

Hydrargyri chloridum corrosivum, tablets (antisep-
tic) (par. 902), 350 in 12-ounce tin .tins.. 1

Hydrargyri ch'.oridum mite, 32-mgm. tablets, 1,000
in bottle bottles.. 1

Hyoscinae hydro bromidum, 0.65-mgm. hypodermic
tablets, 20 in tube tubes.. 3

Iodum-potassii iodidum _ do 20

IJnimentuni rubefaciens, tablets (par. 902), 200 in
12-ou nee tin t ins. . 1

Magnesii sulpha?, 3 pounds in tin do 1

MisturaglycyrrhiiffleotnpoKita, 3,600 in 12-ounce tin
tins__ 1

Morphin® sulphas, 8-mgm hypodermic tablets, 20
in tube tubes.- 45

Nitroglycerin, 0.65-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20 in
tube tubes.. 8

Petrolatum, in 12-ounce tin tins.. 2

The tubes of hypodermic tablets are all in one 12-ounce

Phenol, crystals !o pound in bottle bottles..

Pilul® camphor® et opii (par. 902). 8/5 in 12-ounce

tin tins..

Pilula? cathartic® composit®, 1,200 in 12-ounce tin,

tins..

Potasii bromidum, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles..

Protargol (or equivalent), 1 ounce in bottle.bottles..
Quinin® hydrochlorosulphas, 32-mgm. hypodermic

tablets, 20 in tube tubes..

Quininse sulphas, 200-mgm. tablets, 1,000 in 12-
ounce tin tins..

Sodii salicylas, 324-mgm. tablets, 600 in 12-ounce tin

tins..

Strychnin® sulphas, 1-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20

in tube tubes..

Thymolis iodidum (Aristol), sprinkler number..

Cnguentum hydrargyri chloridi mitis, 30 per cent,

} 1 pound in wide-mouth bottle bottles. -

tin.

Miscellaneous

Aprons, rubber number.. 2

Bag, rubber, hot-water, and syringe do 1

Bandages:

Gauze, compressed, 3 sizes do 83

Plaster of Paris, in individual packets do fi

Rubber, Martin. do 1

Bands, elastic, in pouch do lf>

Basins, hand, rubber ...do 2

Book:

Blank, 8vo do 1

Note, manifolding, 4 by fi inches-
Binder _._do 1

Filler do.... 1

Boxes:

Folding, for tablets gros _. 1

Ointment, 3 in nest nests.. 8

Bos, soap, metal number.. 1

Brushes, hand, fiber do

Cases:

Forceps, hemostatic (par. 915) do I

Operating, small (par. 922) do 1

Tooth-extracting, 3 forcips in canvas roll. do 1

Catheters, flexible, 17, 20, 24, French scale, in tin

number.. 2

Corks, for l-ounce vials, 50 in bag bags.. 1

Corkscrew number.. 1

Cotton, absorbent, sterilized 1 -ounce package

packages.. 26

Cup, enamel ware number.. 1

Gauze, sublimated, 2 half-yard lengths in package

___ packages. _ 40

Gloves, rubber, in pouch, sizes 8 and 9 pairs.. 2

Inhaler, chloroform, Esmarch, with drop bottle

number. _ 1

Labels:

For vials .dozen _. fi

Poison ._ do 3

Matches, safety. boxes.

Medicine glass, in wooden case number..

Mortar and pestle, porcelain, 7 cm do

Pencils;

Hair, 1 dozen in vial vials..

Indelible number. .

Pins:

Comm on papers . .

Safety dozen..

Plaster, adhesive, z. 0., 5 yards by 1 inch__spools_.

Pouch, for gloves number _ .

Razor do

Razor, strop for do

Scissors do

Soap, hand cakes _

Spatula. 3-inch number..

Spoon, tea do

Sutures

Catgut— "

Chromicized, sterilized. 18 inches each, 3

sizes in package packages..

Plain, sterilized, 18 inches each. 3 sizes in
package. packages ..

Silk, braided, sterilized, 18 inches each, 3 sizes in
package packages..

Silkworm gut, 100 in coil coil?..

Syringe, hypodermic (par. 956)--- number..

Extra needles for.__ do

Tags, diagnosis books..

Thermometers, clinical number. .

Tins, enameled, as containers do

Tongue depressor do

Tourniquet and bandage, rubber do

Towels, hand do

Tubes, drainage, 2 sizes, in tin with catheters

__ _. pieces .

Vials, 1-ounee .number..

M. M. D. 933.

Acidum boricum, 321-mgm. tablets, 700 in 12-ounce
tin tins..

Acidum salicylicum, 324-mgm. tablets, 400 in 12-
ounce tin tins..

Chest, Medical and Surgical, Supplementary

(Weight, 95 pounds)
Medicines and Antiseptics

Amylis nitris, 5-drop spire ts, 12 in box boxes. .

1 Argent i nitras, crystals, 1 ounce in bottle. .bottles. .

Argenti nitras fusas, 1 ounce in bottle bottles .

1 Argyrol, 1 ounce... _._ -.bottles..

1

1

2

1
1

10

3

1

20
1

10
1
1

12
2

fi
17

1
1
tt

298

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Arsenii trinxidum, 1-mgm. tablets, 500 in 3-ounce

tin .tins.. 1

Aspirin, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle— bottles.- l
CafTeina citrata, 05-mgm. tablets, 250 in bottle

„ .__ .bottles- 1

Capsicum, 32-mgm. tablets, 000 in 3-ounce tin. tins.. 1

Chloralum hydratum, 324-mgm. tablets, 400 in

bottle bottles.. 1

Chlnroformum, l 4 pound in tin tins 12

Codeina, 32-mgm. tablets, 600 in 3-ounce tin. .tins.. 1

Collodiuin, 1 ounce bottles.. 2

Kmplastrum belladonna", 2 yards by (1 inches, in

tin tins.. 1

Emplnstrum cantharidis, 1 yard by inches, in

tin tins.. 1

(Hycerinurn, ' 2 pint in bottle .bottles.. 1

Hexamethylenanrina (Crotropin), 324-mgm. tablets,

800 in 12-ounce tin tins.. 1

Hydrargyri iodidurn Ilavum. 10-mgm. tablets, 750 in

3-ounce tin tin-;.. 1

Ichlhyolurn, 3 ounces bottles.. 1

Morphine sulphas, x- nigra, tablets, 000 in 3-ounce

tin tins.. 1

Normal saline solution tablets (par. 932), 150 in 12-
ounce tin tins.. 1

Oleum ricini, 3 pints in tin do 1

Oleum terebinthiufe rectificatum, 3 pints in tin

_ tins.. 1

Oleum theohromatis, J 2 pound in 12-ounce tin.tins— 1

Plenylis salicylas (Salol), 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in

bottle bottles— 1

Pilula? aloini com posit ae (par. 902), 750 in 3-ounce

tin tins.. 1

Piluhe ferri composite (par. 902), 1,200 in 12-ounce

tin tins.. 1

I'lutnbi ace t as, 13!)-mgm. tablets, 000 in 3-ounce
tin tins..

Potassii chloras; 324-mgm. tablets, 1,200 in 12-ounce
tin tins..

Potassii iodidum, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle
bottles. .

Potassii pennanganas 324-mgm. tablets, 1,200 in 12-
ounce tin tins..

Puh is ipecacuanha? et opii, 324-mgm. tablets, 700 in
12-ounce tin. tins..

Sodii bicarbonas, 324-mgm. tablets, I, (WO in 12-ounce
tin tins..

Sodii bicarbonas et mentha piperita, tablets (par.
9021, 1,000 in 12-ounce tin tins..

Sodii carhonas monohydratus, for surgical use, }4
pound in 12-ounce tin tins..

Spiritus ammoniae aromaticus, l 2 ' pound in glass-
stopper bottle. bottles. .

Spiritus frumenti, J? pint in bottle do

Sulphur lotum, \-i pound in 12-ounce tin tins..

Tinctura digitalis, 0.3 c. c tablets, 800 in 3-ounce
tin tins_.

Tinctura opii, H pound in bottle bottles..

Trochisci ammonii chlori ii, 330 in 12-ounce tin
j- tins..

CJnguentum hydrargyri, Hi pound in wide-mouth
bottle bottles..

Veronal, 324-mgm. tablets, 100 in 3-ounce tin, or
equivalent tins..

Zinci oxidum, powder, H pound in 12-ounce tin
tins.,

Zinci sulphas, 324-mgm. tablets, 250 in 3-ounce tin
tins..

Miscellaneous

Atomizer, hand number..

Bags, rubber, hot-water, and syringe.. do

Bandages, suspensory dozen .

Bougies, flexible, Nos. 11. 13. 15, 17, 20, 22, French

scale, in tin with catheters ..number..

Catheters, flexible, Nos. 15, I7, 18, 20, 22, 21, French

scale, in tin with bougies number..

Corks, for vials, 50 in bag bogs..

Corkscrew number _

Cups, enamel ware . do

Eye shades, single do

Graduate glass, 100 c. c. in case do

Hand mirror in case do

Medicine droppers do

Needles, common, assorted papers..

Paper, litmus, blue and red, 100 strips in vial, of

each ...vials..

Fill tile, hard rubber number..

Specula, ear. set of 3 sets..

Speculum, rectal number..

Splints, wire gauge for, l yard in roll. rolls..

Stethoscope, double number..

Syringes, penis, glass. do

Syringe, rectal, hard rubber, 6-ounee do

Tags, diagnosis books..

Tape measure, 00-inch _ number..

Test tubes, 3 in nest nests. _

Thread, cotton spools..

Tins, enameled, as containers number..

Tubes, drainage, imperforated, in tin with catheters

pieces. _

Tube, stomach number _

Vials, 1 -ounce dozen..

M. M. D. 93(3.

Chest, tableware

(Iron-bound chest; weight, 175 pounds)

Bowls, enamel ware or aluminum.. number . 100

Forks, steel, triple-plated... do 100

Knives, steel, triple-plated do too

Pitcher:

Large, enamel ware do 1

Small, enamel ware.. do 1

Plates, enamel ware or aluminum number.. 106

Saucers, enamel ware or aluminum do 106

Shakers, glass, salt and pepper, of each do 6

Spoons, steel, triple-plated do 100

FIELD EQUIPMENT

299

M. M. D. 958

Basins, e. w number..

Form 77, M. D do

Graduate, glass, 120 c. c, in case do

Uydrargyri chloridum eorrosivum, tablets (antt

septic) (par. 9112), 350 in 12-ounce tin tins..

Protargol, 2 gms. in ampul ampuls..

Venereal Pro phylaxis unit
(In pine box with hinged lid; weight 45 pounds)

3 Soap, Ivory cakes. _

200 Sponges, gauze, 1 dozen in box boxes..

1 Syringes, penis, h. r number..

Towels, hand do

1 Unguentum hydrargyri chloridi mitis, 30 per cent,
200 }<2 pound in wide-mouth bottle bottles..

2
4
4

VI

Note.— List of contents and directions for administering the prophylactic are pasted on inside of cover.

War Department,

Adjutant General's Office, «

Washington, June 3, 191S.
From: The Adjutant General of the Army.
To: Commanding generals of all National Army, National Guard, and Regular Army

divisions, all department commanders, and chiefs supply bureaus.
Subject: Allowance of quartermaster supplies for base and evacuation hospitals for overseas
duty.

The authorized equipment for base and evacuation hospitals for overseas duty is as
follows :

Axes, with helves 10

Bags, water sterilizing 8

Brush, marking 1

Bugles, with slings 2

Flag:

Distinguishing, Red Cross 1

Halyards for 2

National storm 1

Lampblack pounds.- 2

Bv order of the Secretary of War:

Pickaxes, with helves 3

Pot, marking 1

Rakes, steel 8

Ranges, No 5 5

Shovels, short handle 3

Spades 6

Stick, size, show 1

Stretcher, shoe 1

F. W. Senx, Adjutant General.

Wau Department,
The Adjutant General's Office,

Washington, June 3, WIS.
From: The Adjutant General of the Army.
To: Commanding generals of all National Army, National Guard, and Regular Army

Divisions, all department commanders, and chiefs of all supply bureaus.
Subject: Authorization of cooking utensils, etc., for issue with No. 5 Army range for base
and evacuation hospitals for overseas duty.
The following articles are authorized for issue with No. 5 Army range:

Boilers:

Round; one 6-gallon and one 8-

gallon 2

Square; one 10-gallon, one 15-gallon,

and one 20-gallon 3

Buckets, galvanized iron, 12-quart 2

Cake turners 2

Cans, garbage 3

Can openers 2

Cleaver, 8-inch 1

Dippers, 2-quart 3

Grinder, meat 1

Knives, butcher, 10-inch , 2

Pans, bake, one Army range No. 5, large,

and one No. 578 large 2

Pans, frying, one 12-inch and one 18-inch. 2

Pan, dish, 21-quart 1

Saw, meat, 22-inch blade 1

Sieve, flour 1

Skimmers, large 2

Spoons, large 3

Steel, butcher, 12-inch 1

Forks, meat, large 3

The bake pans listed above are in addition to the two bake pans which are issued with

and form part of the No. 5 Army ranges.

Bv order of the Secretary of War:

F. W • Sens', Adjutant General.

300 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

As elsewhere described (p. 251) the Medical Department's system of sup-
plying troops in the field contemplated a unit of equipment commensurate
with the function of the unit of medical personnel for which it was provided.
The introduction of the evacuation hospital having been determined in 1911,
measures were instituted for the development and assembly of the prescribed
equipments. These equipments were assembled complete through the cooper-
ation of the Quartermaster and Ordnance Departments and were placed in
storage. 14 Only articles which deteriorated readily were omitted from the assem-
bled equipments. It was intended to supply these articles from fresh stock when
#the unit was placed in service. To each unit, as it was assembled, was assigned
a number from 1 upward. 15 Every package of equipment or supplies pertain-
ing to this unit bore the unit number in addition to the other necessary
markings. When the assembly was completed, the unit was taken up and
carried on the property returns as one evacuation hospital. All papers
required for the shipment and transfer of the property, medical, quartermaster,
and Ordnance, were prepared at the same time and kept ready for use against
the issue of the particular unit equipment. By the end of June, 191B, 20
evacuation hospitals had been assembled and stored at medical supply depots
within the United States. 16 In addition two equipments each had been
furnished the Philippine Department and the Hawaiian Department. 16

At the end of March, 1917, there were in storage at El Paso, Tex., 9
evacuation hospital equipments, with 10 more at San Antonio, Tex. 17 When
it became necessary to provide medical equipment for the troops in the first
convoy of American Expeditionary Forces scheduled to sail June 1,1917, a
base hospital equipment complete, with iron bedsteads and hair mattresses,
and four evacuation hospitals were shipped from El Paso to Hoboken, N. J. 18
Information of the contemplated movement and of the date of departure was
received in the Surgeon General's Office during the forenoon of May 19. A
telegram was dispatched to the medical supply officer at El Paso the same
date to make the shipment. 18 These supplies, loaded in 17 cars, left El Paso,
Tex., at 8:45 p. m., May 23. Twelve cars arrived at Hoboken at 8:45 p. m.,
May 28, two cars arrived at 11 a. m., May 29, and three cars at 6 p.m.,
May 29. 19

The evacuation hospital equipments in storage at El Paso and San Antonio
were all of the 1911 model. After the dispatch of these to Hoboken on May
23, the equipments remaining at those depots were remodeled to conform to the
1916 supply table and shipped to Hoboken between July 1 and December 31,

1917, en route to France. Additional equipments were shipped to France from
time to time as required. They were assembled as to medical equipment at
the field medical supply depot in Washington. In accordance with the plan of
supply adopted by the War Department, articles supplied by other departments
were shipped by those departments to their respective depots in France, from
which they were to be obtained on requisition as required. In August, 1918,
there were 28 assembled evacuation hospital equipments on hand at the field
medical supply depot, Washington. 20 During August, September, and October,

1918, 54 such equipments were shipped to France and 1 to Siberia. 21 The

FIELD EQUIPMENT 301

shipment to France of tent age with these equipments was discontinued early
in March, 1918, pursuant to cabled request from the commander in chief. 22

The cost of one evacuation hospital, augmented as requested by the chief
surgeon, A.E. F., in 1917, and as further expanded upon cabled request of the
commander in chief, was approximately $98, 751. 69. 23 The cost of the equip-
ment as listed in the supply table of 1916 was much less. The cost of the units
assembled in 1917-18, practically all of which were shipped to France, was,
therefore, approximately $8,690,148.72.

The number of evacuation hospitals assembled and issued during 1917-18
was 89, 86 of which were shipped to the American Expeditionary Forces.

REFERENCES

(1) Manual for the Medical Department, 1911, par. 704, and 1916, par. 793.

(2) Ibid., 1911, par. 695, and 1916, par. 795.

(3) Ibid., 1911, par. 700, and 1916, par. 796.

(4) Ibid., 1911, pars. 847-856, and 1916, pars. 891-892.

(5) Ibid., 1911, par. 706 (a), and 1916, par. 800.

(6) Ibid., 1911, par. 851.

(7) Ibid., 1911, par. 560.

(8) Ibid., 1911, pars. 847-856 (last line of each paragraph).

(9) Data compiled at FA Paso, Tex., 1916, for the author, in his personal possession.

(10) Manual for the Medical Department, 1916, pars. 891-892 (last line of each paragraph).

(11) Par. 3, cable No. 322, H. A. E. F. in France, November 27, 1917.

(12) Letter from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., in France, to the Surgeon General, November

23, 1917. Subject: Evacuation Hospital Equipment. On file, Finance and Supply
division, S. G. O., 250-F.

(13) Par. 5-A, cable No. 949, H. A. E. F. in France, London. April 19, 1918.

(14) General War Plans of the Medical Department, March 9, 1914. On file, Record Room

S. G.O., 93360-1.

(15) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1916 par. 793.

(16) Preparedness for the Medical Department for War, an address delivered November 16,

1916, at the Army War College by Lieut. Col. Henry C. Fisher, M. D. Copy on
file, Finance and Supply division, S. G. ()., 12709-G.

(17) Letter from the department surgeon, Southern Department, to the Surgeon General,

July 14, 1916, relative to evacuation hospitals, and action taken thereon. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 13256-211.

(18) Telegram from the Surgeon General to the Medical Supply Officer, El Paso, Tex., May

19, 1917, to ship supplies to France. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
14778-C.

(19) Letter from the Quartermaster General to the Surgeon General, May 29, 1917. Subject:

Arrival of medical supplies. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
14778-C (QM 523.12-T).

(20) Memorandum for Colonel Wolfe from the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, D. C, August 20, 1918, relative to supplies on hand. On file, Finance

, a . _,. . . ~ _, ~ 713-750 Wash. D.
and Supply Division, S. G.O., „,,., —

(21) Data furnished the Surgeon General's Office, August 26, 1919, by A. S. Lucas, Field

Medical Supply Depot, Washington, D. C. relative to shipments of assembled units to

, _. . . „ „ _ 713-750 Wash. D.
France in 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. (j. (J., — — 5^

(22) Cablegram No. 733, II. A. E. F. to The Adjutant General, Washington, March 16, 1918,

par. 3.

(23) Data compiled in the Surgeon General's Office, during 1918, and in possession of the

author.

CHAPTER XVIII

LITTERS AND LITTER CARRIERS

LITTERS WITH SLINGS

The specifications for litters with slings purchased during 1917-18 are
given below. The appearance of the litter is shown in Figure 7. The number
of litters purchased during the same period is given in the table following the
specifications.' The prices in that table do not in all cases represent the total
cost of the finished litter. Some of the materials were furnished by the Medical
Department, and the cost of such materials is not reflected in the prices given.

All litters purchased during the years 1917-18 for the United States Army
were purchased by the Medical Department through the field medical supply
depot, at Washington, D. C.

Specifications For Litters With Slings

Parts — Each litter to be composed of the following parts:
2 side poles.

1 canvas cover.

2 sets of stretchers or braces complete, with pole pieces, etc.
2 litter straps with screws, washers, and studs.

2 litter slings, complete with rings.

Side poles. — Two in number, to be made of best quality, well-seasoned, straight-grained
ash, 7 feet 6 inches long, 2 inches thick, l l A inches wide, with all angles slightly rounded off,
hand smoothed, sandpapered, and nicely worked. The upper part of the outer surface of
each pole, at the attachment of the canvas, to be shaved away not more than \ $ inch deep
and 1 inch wide so that the surface of the applied canvas and the heads of the tacks attach-
ing it shall be flush with the lower unshaved part of the said surface. Commencing 9 inches
from each end, the poles will be rounded into handles; diameter of handles at the base, 1}4
inches, sloping to 1 inch in diameter at the ends. The poles to be filled with one coat of
liquid filler, rubbed in, and then receive two coats of hard oil finish. Each pole to be free
from defects of any kind that will impair its strength.

Canvas cover. — To be made of United States Army standard, waterproofed, khaki-colorcd
canvas, 28}^ inches wide, weighing not less than 12 ounces to the linear yard; canvas to
contain not less than 56 three-ply threads in the warp and not less than 34 two-ply threads
in the filling per inch of width, and capable of sustaining a strain of at least 150 pounds in
the warp and 100 pounds in the filling to the H inch of width, same tested in the piece.
Litter covers to be 6 feet 2 inches long by 2 feet 4V£ inches wide; at each end 1 inch to be
turned under and at each side 2% inches to be turned under, all turned under parts to be
neatly sewed with best quality, heavy, khaki-colored linen thread, 7 stitches to the inch.
The canvas, thus formed, to be evenly tacked to the shaven surfaces of the litter poles so
that when the litter is opened the canvas will be thoroughly stretched and measure on its
upper surface 6 feet by 22 inches in the clear. Tacks used to be 10-ounce, round head,
japanned, same spaced 1 inch apart.

Stretchers or braces. — Each litter to be provided with two complete stretchers or braces;
stretches to be secured to the litter poles 24 inches from their ends, four 1-inch Xo. 14
flathead bright iron screws being used in each pole plate; screws to be driven with a screw
driver and not hammered. Stretchers to be so placed that when the litter is closed the

303

304

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

braces of the stretchers project lengthwise toward the center of the litter immediately
between the approximated poles. Each brace to consist of two poles plates with a stirrup
or footpiece, same joined by two movable spreaders. The legs or feet to be stirrup shaped,
extending 4 inches below the supporting surface of the pole plate to which they arc attached.
Each pole plate is 5 inches long, and has, on the outer part of the end toward which the
braces fold, a J4-inch projecting lug to keep the spreader pieces in position when the braces
are closed. The pole plate is turned up at right angles on each side % inch. The pole
plate has five apertures, as follows: One, % inch in diameter for the bolt on which the
movable spreader arms play, same countersunk on the upper surface to make the largest
diameter of the opening % inch; sides of the countersunk area sloping at an angle of 45°;

Fig. 7.— Litter with slings

four holes, countersunk on the outer surface of the pole plate, of suitable size for a No. 14
rlathead wood screw, two holes to be on the bottom plate and one on each side plate as in
standard. The loop of the stirrup, 1% inches wide near the pole plate, widening out to
3% inches at its widest part, about % inch from the footplate. The blades forming the
loops are each % inch broad at the neck, expanding to 1% inches where they conjoin to
form the footplate, which is somewhat convex in every way to give a broad suppoit.
.Spreaders to be of steel forging, each consisting of two pieces, playing at their outer ends
on the bolt in their respective pole plates, and hinged by a J^-inch steel bolt at the junction
of their inner ends. Each piece is formed from a bar of steel forging 3^ inch wide by
Ys inch deep. The outer end of each to be flattened, as in standard, to facilitate movement

FIELD EQUIPMENT 305

on the pole plate. The inner end of one projects about 2 inches beyond that of the
other, which it embraces, to strengthen the joint when the braces are opened, both pieces
being bored to receive a J^-inch bolt. The hole in the embracing piece to be countersunk on its
upper side. This joint to be fenestrated, as in standard, to prevent choking by mud and
dirt. The bolt or pivot by which the spreaders are attached to the pole plates is Y» inch in
diameter, and has a head 1 inch in diameter by Yi inch thick. It should be of sufficient
length to pass through the spreader and pole plate and allow of riveting down flush to fill
the countersunk area on the pole plate. The bolt joining the inner ends of the spreaders is
of steel, x /i inch in diameter, having an oval head J^ inch in diameter on one end. It
should be of sufficient length to pass through the interlocking spreader arms and allow of
riveting down flush to fill the countersunk area on the outer spreader. From the center of
the pole plate to the center of the rivet which hinges the spreader arms each measures
10J4 inches. The whole brace, when stretched, should measure 22 inches between the
outer faces of the litter pole rests in the pole plates. All metal work in the stretchers or
braces to be thoroughly tinned.

Litter straps. — A fastening for the closed litter to be provided by means of two straps
made of best quality, oak-tanned, russet leather, 12 inches long by % inch wide. One
strap to be attached by one end to the under surface of one pole 1J^ inches from the shoulder
of the handle, the other strap to the corresponding part of the other pole at the opposite
end; the attachment to be made by a %-inch, No. 7, round-head, blued-iron screw passing
through a copper washer }4 inch in diameter, the hole in the leather to be no larger
than the neck of the screw and to be located }4 inch from the end of the strap. The reef
end of the strap to be punched witli a stud hole, same located 1 inch from the strap end and
to measure & inch by Y% inch. When the litter is opened the strap is intended to be under
the pole and fastened to a standard-size stud placed at such a distance from the screw as
required by the length of the strap. When the litter is closed, the straps are intended to be
passed around the two poles from their point of attachment on the one to a stud which will
be placed at a corresponding point on the other pole.

Slings. — Each litter should be furnished with two carrying slings; sling made of best
grade United States Army standard khaki-colored cotton webbing, 2'A inches wide;
sling proper to be 6 feet long in its greatest length, and made adjustable by means of a
blued sliding buckle of drop-forged steel with a blued steel loop near one end, and provided
at each end with a loop lined with good quality strap leather, loop to be 6 inches long. All
straight stitching on -lings to be machine work, 6 stitches to the inch, all free ends of stitching
properly secured to prevent raveling. Yellow three-cord saddler's thread (Barbour's
standard best Irish flax) or equal, to be used in all sewing, same waxed when used. To the
buckle end of the sling will be attached a blued malleable-iron pear-shaped loop 3 inches
long by 2Yi inches wide in greatest width, pendant from the loop attached to the swivel.
One pear-shaped iron loop, with sling attached, to be passed over the left front and one over
the right rear handle of the litter. These loops are kept in place by rings fastened 4J^
inches from the end of the handles by two cast-steel brads, No. 17, % inch long. These
rings to be of malleable iron, turned on the inner surface, and having two holes at opposite
sides for the admission of a No. 17 brad; outside diameter, 1% inches; inside diameter, IH
inches; thickness at turned surface, % inch.

Marking.— Litter will be marked as follows: On outer surface of canvas cover, 4 inches
from one end in the median line, a standard size red cross will be stenciled. Just below this
the letters " MED. DEPT., U. S. A." in black 1-inch letters. Each litter will bear a name
plate of brass which shows in raised letters the name of the contractor and the date of the
contract, plate to be securely tacked to one litter pole on its inner surface, about 2 inches
from shoulder of handle.

Testing.— All litters when received at this depot will be subjected to a standard test as
follows: The open litter will be supported at each end and a "live" weight of 200 pounds
will be applied at the midpoint of each pole. Poles must show a normal resiliency. Poles
breaking under this test will be rejected.

Finish and workmanship.— Materials, workmanship, and finish of completed litter to be
first class in every respect; finished litter to be equal to and like standard sample on display
at this depot.

30663—28 20

306

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Delivery.— Litters to be delivered to this depot neatly folded in the regulation manner,
securely tied in bundles of four litters. Each bundle protected by burlap or other satisfactory
wrapping.

MODIFICATIONS AUTHORIZED IN CONTRACTS OF 1918

Slings to be made with a loop of double webbing instead of leather lined.

Contractor's name and date of contract stenciled on litter poles instead of brass plate
being attached.

Burlap wrapping not necessary.

Laminated or Lindermined side poles, of equal strength and resiliency, may be substituted.

Cotton thread equal in strength to the linen thread may be used.

Tacks for fastening canvas to litters may be galvanized instead of japanned.

Stretchers must be secured to litter poles 14 inches from their ends instead of 24 inches
as specified herein.

Spreaders to be made of malleable iron instead of steel forging.

All metal work in the stretchers or braces to be tinned or electro galvanized.

All hardware specified "blued steel" may be electro galvanized.

Duck and webbing (for slings) to be furnished by the Medical Department, United
States Army, delivered to contractor's works.

Litters

Date

Contractor

Quantity
ordered

Price

Quantity

canceled

Accepted

Cost

May 15, 1917
Aug. 27, 1917
Apr. 17,1918
Oct. 16,1918

30,000
60,000
20.000
50, 000

"$5.90

« 5. 9il
« 5. 99
■4.83

None.
None.
None.
25,000

30,000
60,000
20, 000
25,000

$177,000.00

359, 400. 00

119, 800. 00

120, 750. 00

160,000

25, 000

135, 000

776, 950. 00

Aug. 27,1917
Apr. 16, 1918
Oct. 16,1918

Gold Medal Camp Furniture Co.

30. 000
10, 000
45, 000

« 6. 00
t> 5. 35
'4. 16

None.
None.
22, 500

30.000
10,000
22, 500

180, 000. 00
53, 5(X). 00

93, 600. 00

85,000 j

22, 500

62,500

327, 100. 00

Apr. 16,1917
Oct. 16,1918

20,000
35,000

'< 3. m

6 4.19

None.
17,500

20, 000
17,500

79, 800. 00

73. 325. 00

55,000 |

17, 500

37,500

153, 125. 00

May 15,1917
Aug. 29,1917
Apr. 16,1918

Heywood Bros. & Wakefield Co - -

30,000
30, 0011

20, 000

■ 5. 64

■ 6. 03
li 4. 65

None.
None.
None.

30,000
30, 000
20, 000

169,200.00
180. 900. 00
93, (XX). 00

80,O0O,|

None.

80,000

443, 100. 00

Apr. 16,1918
Oct. 16,1918

15,000
25, 000

» J. 96
b 4. 65

None.
17,5(0

15,000
7.500

74, 400. 00

33, 875. 00

40,000 |_

17,500

22. .500

108, 275. 00

Apr. 13, 1917
Apr. 16,1918

10, 000
5,000

6. 10
b 5. 16

None.
None.

10,000
5,000

61, 000. CO

25, 800. 00

15,0(10

None.

15, 000

86. 800. 00

Apr. 16, 1918
Oct. 16. 1918

10,000
25, 000

6 4.18
b 4. 50

None.
12,500

10, (XX)
12, 500

41,800.00

56. 250. 00

36,000

12,500

22, 500

98, 050. 00

470, 000

95,000

375,000

1, 976, 6.50. 00
536, 000. 00

2, 512, 650. 00

6.70

■ Duck furnished by the Government.

I Duck and webbing (for slings) furnished by the Government.

In loading patients upon ships for water transport and in unloading them
at ports of debarkation, it becomes necessary to take the patients up and
down steep stairways, through narrow passages, and around sharp turns.

FIELD EQUIPJIEXT 307

Often the ship's hoisting machinery can conveniently be utilized in loading
and unloading patients as well as supplies. These conditions demand a litter
of different shape, structure, and design, to which the patient can be secured
and in which he can be adequately protected while being so handled. Litters
for this purpose and of a suitable type are required on all troop ships as well
as on hospital ships. After the service at the two primary ports of embarka-
tion had become well established it was considered advisable to provide all
troop ships with suitable litters. The transports directly under the charge
of the Navy were supplied with equipment by the Navy. The chartered
transports were equipped by the Army. The type of litter developed and in
general use in the United States Navy was selected for use on the transports
and the requisite number was purchased and issued. This type of litter was
commonly known as the Stokes litter (splint stretcher) .

It is a galvanized-iron stretcher basket which has certain fixation apparatus
attached to it. 2 These consist of straps which pass over the patient's chest, hips,
and legs as he lies in the wire basket. A movable foot rest is provided on each
side of the septum which divides the lower end of the basket into two big furrows
for the legs of the patient. There are handgrips around the strong galvanized-
iron frame which forms the upper margin of the basket. These may be used
either for carrying the stretcher by hand or for attaching it by means of a
bridle to a hoisting apparatus for lowering to or hoisting from a small boat.

THE SNOWSHOE TRENCH LITTER

In warfare of position where the forces engaged are protected by trenches
with narrow passage and many abrupt turns at acute angles, the standard type
of litter becomes inadaptable and a special type again becomes necessary. Each
of the allied armies had developed its own type of litter to overcome the diffi-
culties incident to this kind of warfare. A type of trench litter known as the
snowshoe litter was devised by one of the medical officers with the American
Expeditionary Forces and is considered to have sufficient merit to justify its
description. It was accepted as the standard trench litter for the United States
Army. Detailed specifications were prepared for it and plans made for the
purchase of an adequate number of these litters in the autumn of 1918, but the
warfare of position had given place to a warfare of movement before the plans
for procurement had been fully completed. No purchase of considerable
numbers was made.

LITTER CARRIERS

The fatigue experienced by litter bearers in removing the wounded from
the battle field to the first-aid, ambulance, or collecting stations is great, and
requires numbers of bearers out of proportion to the number of wounded. To
overcome this condition, attention has been given from time to time during the
past decades to the development of a wheeled device upon which the wounded
could be placed and which could be pulled or pushed by the litter bearers from
the places where the wounded men lay to a point where they could be placed
in ambulances. The device must be light, durable, and easily transported. It
must be so designed that the wounded may be placed upon it and taken off

308

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

without violence to the patient. It is desirable that it be constructed of materials
which make repairs and replacements simple and easy.

At the time of declaration of war in 1917 no type of a wheeled litter or litter
carrier had been adopted as standard equipment, nor had any such been

Fig. 8. — Snowshoe litter

purchased. The need for a wheeled litter carrier was early appreciated, and
work was begun by the ambulance board to develop a suitable design ; however,
other duties incident to the procurement of supplies, and particularly ambu-
ances, delayed the work for several months.

FIELD EQUIPMENT

309

After a suitable organization for the inspection of ambulances had been
developed and the changes in ambulance design perfected, the development of
the litter carrier was again taken up and carried to completion. It was found
impracticable, in the developmental work on this subject, to combine in a single
carrier all the essentials necessary to make it serviceable both in the field and
in hospitals. 3 Therefore, two different types were devised, the one for use in
the field and the other for use in hospitals. The former was called the field
litter carrier and the latter wheeled litter carrier.

FIELD LITTER CARRIER

Certain definite principles were observed in the development of this carrier.
It must be durable, easily loaded, drawn by the minimum of effort, comfortable
for the patient, and its essential parts must he interchangeable with other st andard
equipment. The desirable parts of wheeled litter carrying devices then in use

Fig. 9.— Field litter carrier in collapsed form

were considered. Wherever the principle involved was applicable and advan-
tageous it was incorporated in the devices which finally were developed. The
earlier conceptions of a litter carrier contemplated a collapsible type; a type
with a frame so designed and hinged as to permit the sides to come together in
much the same manner as the members of a parallel ruler. When open the
hinged parts were to lock securely and so prevent accidental collapse of the
carrier. Photographs were submitted to manufacturers for suggestions as to
stability and manufacturing difficulties. 4 The principle was found to be imprac-
ticable and was abandoned in favor of the knockdown type. Collapsibility is
essential only as a tranportation requirement to point of use. It was concluded
that in the field sufficient transportability would be had if the device could be
successfully trailed behind an ambulance or other vehicle.

The types of litter carriers originally suggested contemplated a device
upon which the litter could be placed and to which it could be clamped, the
handles of the litter being used in propelling the carrier. After much
consideration and many experiments, it was concluded that the same load
could be pulled more easily than it could be pushed. The type developed

310

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

under this idea contemplated a carrier with a bar so attached to the axle as to
serve the same purpose as the tongue of a wagon; that is, a place to apply the
tractive force and also to steer the vehicle. It was further decided that the
carrier could be made to trail behind an ambulance by providing the end of
the bar with a suitable eye to go over the pintle hook of the ambulance. The
device was finally completed by the development of a suitable breast harness
to be worn by the litter bearers and which would attach to the frame of the
carrier. This harness, when in use, allowed the two bearers to walk beside
the tongue of the carrier. For their further convenience in pulling the carrier,
a projection or handle was attached at right angles to the front end of the

Fig. 10 —Field litter carrier in use

tongue, in such manner that each bearer could grasp his end of it with both
hands, enabling him to push as well as to pull if the need arose. In order to
bring this handle bar to a height convenient for the bearers, the tongue of the
carrier was approximately curved. The handle bars were hinged to permit
them to be folded backward parallel with tongue when the carrier was knocked
down and crated for shipment or when used as a trailer. A very ingenious
device held them firmly in place when extended for use of the bearers.

It was found, after the plan of using the harness had been adopted, that
two patients could be transported by two bearers without material effort and
the design, as finally adopted, provided carrying places for two litters instead
of one. To protect the wounded from the sun and rain and to some extent
from gases, canvas curtains and cover were provided. These curtains and

FIELD EQUIPMENT

311

cover were removable and could be detached whenever not required. The
appearance of the field litter carrier, as finally adopted, taken apart for crating
for transport, and its manner of use, is shown in figures 9 to 11.

While this litter carrier was in process of development, each succeeding
model was given severe tests to determine its utility and stability. The weak
points were strengthened, undesirable features were eliminated, and continuing
and consistant effort was made to arrive at a type of carrier which contained
the maximum of the good and the minimum of the poor features. The device
finally evolved and adopted was the "survival of the fittest," and was given
every practicable test as to its utility. Motor cycle side-car wheels were

Fig. 11. — Field litter carrier as a trailer

adopted primarily for interchangeability of parts and the presence with the
combat troops of the necessary spare parts, a very important consideration for
military equipment in use so far from the home territory.

After this carrier had passed all the tests at the ambulance experimental
station, Washington, D. C, a pamphlet of Tentative Instructions and Drill
Regulations, with appropriate illustrations, was prepared for the litter carrier.
This pamphlet was submitted to experienced medical personnel at several
training camps for consideration and comment. 5

The report from the commanding officer, motor units, section B, Camp
Greenleaf, Ga., given below, on the carrier and the tentative drill regulations
covering its use, is valuable as showing the utility of the device. 6

312 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

1. Submit report on field litter carrier designed for Medical Department, United States
Army, and tentative regulations concerning same, in accordance with your verbal
instructions.

(a) Recommendation as to advisability of adding field litter carrier to the equipment
of the Medical Department:

Recommend strongly uniform equipment of ambulance companies, both motor and
animal drawn, with the field litter carrier upon a tentative basis of one to each four ambu-
lances. Aside from the advantages which these vehicles offer of increasing materially the
transport facilities of litter bearers and reducing the discomfort to the patient, the
present design has certain advantages which are great and obvious. Among them may be
mentioned:

(1) The field litter carrier may be attached to the adopted type of motor or animal
drawn ambulance, or even motor cycle with side car, without materially increasing the load
of that vehicle.

(2) The wheels of the field litter carrier are uniform type adopted for motor cycle side
cars and can be procured from the general supply overseas.

(3) The harness attachment for the litter bearers is so devised that the weight is carrried
practically by the body of the advancing bearers and the handles are only used to steady
the vehicle so that the greatest amount of work is performed with the least expenditure
of energy.

(i) The carrier may be taken over rough ground, through underbrush, and both
steep inclines and declines; is capable of being folded and carried over rough territory by
two bearers.

(5) The cost of each vehicle is said to be less than $200, which sum is a very economical
expenditure for the great possible good.

(6) Recommendation as to the tentative drill regulations:

In the absence of any opportunity to give these regulations a thorough test, the tenta-
tive instructions have been examined and are recommended as appearing to meet the needs
of the service.

Alternate bids were requested early in June, 1918, for 150 and 300 field
litter carriers and award was made to a motor company of Racine, Wis.
Deliveries were scheduled to begin September 22, 1918, and to be completed
at the rate of 60 per week, at a cost of $160.49 per carrier. An inspector was
sent to the factory to supervise manufacture. Deliveries did not begin in
sufficient time, however, for these carriers to reach the front in France before
the armistice was signed and the need for them ceased. The utility of the
device remains to be demonstrated. Theoretically the principle appears sound
and the type gives much promise.

WHEELED LITTER CARRIER

As already noted, it was impracticable to develop a litter carrier useful
alike in hospitals and on the battle field. A special type was required for each.
The need for a suitable hospital litter carrier was felt as soon as the base hos-
pitals at the several training camps began to function. A litter carrier had
been found necessary in the general hospitals with their comparatively limited
area; it was indispensable in the large base hospitals, scattered over so much
greater areas. Litter carriers or carriages of the types illustrated in the cat-
alogues of the various hospital supply houses were purchased and issued to
meet this need.

None of the types of litter carriers on the market gave promise of meeting
the overseas requirements satisfactorily, especially in evacuation and other

JPIELD EQUIPMENT

313

hospitals established near the front. The existent types of carriers were
designed for modern hospitals with smooth floors and, consequently, had com-
paratively small wheels. It was concluded that a different type of carrier
would be required for the emergency hospitals established near the front,
where ruined buildings and tents with earthen floors must generally be used.
Here larger wheels and a more rigid framework would be required. It was
expected, under such conditions, that the carrier, using the litter as a top,
must often serve for an operating table during the rush of work following
military operations. It was essential, also, that these carriers be adaptable
for use in any hospital whether at the front or in the rear. Considering the
limited ocean tonnage, it was a matter of prime importance that the carrier be

Fm. 12.— Wheeled litter carrier

of such design as to permit it to be taken apart, crated for shipment in the
minimum space, and readily assembled with a screw driver or other simple
means.

After much study and many experiments, a carrier to meet these exacting
requirements was developed early in 1918. Its general appearance is shown in
Figure 12. It was provided with an ingenious locking device which fully
stabilized the carrier for use as an operating table, preventing both to and fro and
lateral motions of the pivoted smaller wheels. This locking device consisted,
essentially, of a double sprag secured at the upper end to both sides of the frame
at the small wheel end. The two feet of the sprag were incased in rubber crutch
tips of suitable size. The sprag was curved and somewhat longer than the
distance between its attachments and the floor so that when in place as a

314 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

stabilizer it raised both small wheels off the floor and bore the weight of that
end of the carrier.

The order for the manufacture of a sample of this carrier was placed
February 25, 1918, in which the manufacturing difficulties were overcome. 7 The
electro-galvanized finish was adopted as standard for this carrier. This
finish appeared equally well as the white enamel and was very much more
durable. Contract was entered into April 3, 1918, for 2,500 of these hospital
wheeled litter carriers. Blue prints had been revised and corrected. Detailed
manufacturing blue prints were completed and manufacture begun. Delays in
deliveries of material were overcome, but for reasons best known to the con-
tractor deliveries did not conform to schedule. The contract provided for the
delivery of 100 carriers by May 20 and 200 per week thereafter. Deliveries
should have been completed by August 12, 1918, but on that date only 1,395
had been shipped. These litter carriers were inspected during manufacture and
prior to shipment and found to conform to the specifications. 8

The 2,500 litter carriers on the first contract were considered insufficient
to provide an adequate number for the hospitals at home and abroad. Three
thousand additional such carriers were deemed necessary to provide for the
greatly augmented Army then contemplated and for which equipment must be
provided. Clearance for this number was req uested of the War Industries Board
on August 24 in the expectation that deliveries could be made or at least begun
before December 1, 1918. That number was then thought sufficient to meet the
requirements until the end of the following February. Full data concerning
the type of litter desired and the quantities of material required accompanied
the application. The application for the clearance of these carriers was not at
first considered favorably by the War Industries Board. A substitute carrier
made of wood was proposed by the wood products section of the board but
was unacceptable to the Medical Department, from both an engineering and a
sanitary standpoint. Three prolonged conferences were held between repre-
sentatives of the Medical Department and those of the clearance committee
and the wood and steel products sections of the War Industries Board. At
these conferences prolonged discussion was had on the relative merits of the
two types of material for litter carriers. The total quantity of steel involved
was about 70 tons of tubing and wire. 9 Clearance for 1,500 steel wheeled litter
carriers was finally granted and contract therefor placed.

Upon recommendation of the surgical division, Surgeon General's Office,
six of these litter carriers, as soon as they became available, were shipped to
the base hospital at each of the large training camps and three to hospitals at
the smaller camps. 10

REFERENCES

(1) Taken from copy of contract on file in Medical Section, New York General Intermediate

Depot, Brooklyn N. Y.

(2) Prior, James C: Naval Hygiene. F. Blakiston's Son & Co. Philadelphia, 1919,

253-254.

(3) Memorandum for the Surgeon General, by Maj. Pearce Bailey, M. R. C., U. S. A.,

February 16, 1918, relative to inspections of equipment at Philadelphia, Pa., and

New York, N. Y. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 75 °-715 S. G.

172

FIELD EQUIPMENT 315

(4) Letter from the Surgeon General (Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, S. C, N. A. ), to the Cyguet

Rear Car Co., Buffalo, N. Y., October 20, 1917, relative to collapsible litter carriers.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — 2 C /f C — ■

1 A

(5) Letter from the Surgeon General to Camp Grecnleaf, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., and other

camps, May 24, 191S. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. 0., 7S °~l}t •

(6) Letter from Lieut. Col. M. Ashford, M. C, U. S. N. A., Camp Greenleaf, Ga., May 24,

1918, to Col. Rodger Brooke, M. ('., Camp Greenleaf, Ga. Subject: Report on field
litter carrier. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 750-714 S. G.

(7) Correspondence between the Surgeon General and Bernstein Manufacturing Co. during

February, March, and April, 1918, relative to hospital wheeled litter carriers. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — -: A }: Vo -

o-l 1

(8) Letter from medical supply officer, Xew York, N. Y., to the Surgeon General, August

1.5, 1918, transmitting inspector's report of August 12 on Bernstein Manufacturing
Co. — contract for wheeled litter carriers. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

S.G.O., g- 7 B - 2 f- C °-

(9) Letter from the Surgeon General to the War Industries Board, Clearance Committee,

Washington, D. C, August 31, 1918. Subject: Clearance on contract for 3,000

hospital litter carriers. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 1( ^„ -'•

(10) Memorandum for Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, from Col. Wm. H. Moncreif, M. C,

N. A., April 29, 1918, relative to distribution of litter cairiers. On file, Finance

. „ , tv • • Q n r> 713-539
and Supply Division, S. C (J., — .

549

CHAPTER XIX

SURGICAL DRESSINGS

FIRST-AID PACKET

At the request of the Surgeon General of the Army, December 18, 1905,
a joint board of medical officers of the Army and Navy was appointed for the
improvement and standardization of first-aid dressing. This board utilized
the observations of the medical observers on both sides in the Russo-Japanese
war 1 and concluded that a satisfactory first-aid packet must meet the fol-
lowing requirements. 2

FIRST m MCKET-UL&ARBflY

COKWftCT DEC. 7, 1907
CKICAGO.U.S.*.

T©dPEPJ-PULLRIM©

WffEHT«WUE0P0R

Fig. 13.— First-aid packet in metal case, and pouch

1. It should be simple in construction and should have few separate parts.

2. It should be easy of application, even by the unskilled.

3. It should be so made and so arranged as to require no handling of that part of the
dressing which comes in contact with the wound.

4. The compresses and bandages should be of sufficient thickness and area to afford
effective protection to the wound.

5. The compresses and bandages should be made entirely of absorbent material ren-
dered antiseptic by mercuric chloride.

6. The completed packet should be as small and as light as possible consistent with
effectiveness. „.„

318

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

7. It should be provided with a waterproof hermetically sealed durable covering.
* * * A case made of brass or copper is the best and, on the whole, much more econom-
ical than rubber or cloth covers, and insures to a much greater degree the presence of the
packet on the person of the soldier when needed.

8. The container should be easily opened and should have an arrangement for secure
attachment to the belt of the soldier.

The board also decided that a larger dressing would be required for the
extensive wounds made by fragments of shell, splinters, etc., resulting from
the high-explosive shells used by the seacoast artillery. A suitable packet was
developed for this purpose and given the name shell wound dressing. The

Fig. 14.— Contents of first-aid packet

name of this packet was later changed to first-aid packet, shell wound. Speci-
fications for both these packets were prepared by the board and have undergone
but few changes. The findings of the board were published to the Army in
May, 1906. 2 The specifications for these packets used in making purchases
during 1917-18 appear below. The quantities purchased during those years
are given in the consolidated table of surgical dressings for field use which
appears on pp. 329.

Specifications for First-Aid Packets, Medical Department, U. S. A.

First-aid packets to be made up as described below:

Materials. — All gauze to be in accordance with United States Government Standard
Specifications for Absorbent Gauze in weight, mesh, and chemical analysis. Gauze for
bandages to have 44 threads to the inch in the warp and 40 threads to the inch in the filling.
Gauze for compresses to have 32 threads to the inch in the warp and 28 threads to the inch
in the filling.

1. Two bandages of absorbent, sublimated (1: 1,000) gauze, 4 by 84 inches.

FIELD EQUIPMENT 319

2. Two compresses of absorbent, sublimated (1:1,000) gauze, each composed of one-
half square yard of gauze so folded as to make a compress 3}^ by 7 inches.

One compress to be placed lengthwise in the center of eacli bandage and retained in
position by sewing along one end and across the center. The loose end of the compress is
then folded on the sewed part and held by one or two stitches, thus making a compress 3J^
by Z}4 inches.

Each bandage thus prepared to be rolled loosely from each end, with the roll toward
the back of the bandage, until the compress is reached. The latter is now covered with a
strip of standard quality, heavyweight, blue tissue paper 3 by 3 inches, and folded through
the center, the flattened rolls of the bandage laid on either side of the folded compress, the
strip of paper being between back of compress and the flattened bandages. Each bandage
then to be wrapped separately in parchment or wax paper.

3. Two No. 3 safety pins, wrapped in wax paper.

The two compresses and the two safety pins are then wrapped together in tough waxed
paper. One copy of the "Directions for application," the specifications for which are
attached hereto, to be inclosed in each packet.

4. The packet thus prepared to be placed in a hermetically sealed metal case of No.
30 Brown & Sharpe gauge brass, same provided with the standard stripping device for
opening the container. Containers to be sealed by soldering, best grade solder (soft) being
used; soldering to be neatly and carefully done. Metal cases to be covered on the outside
with olive-drab paint. Dimensions of case, 4 by 2J4 by 1 inch over all.

Contents of the case to be sterile.

The words " FIRST-AID PACKET, U. S. ARMY," to be stamped on the metal case,
also directions for opening, the manufacturer's name, and the date of the contract.

Packing and delivery. — All packages must be packed in well-made, new boxes, constructed
of %-inch material. Boxes must be of uniform size, and each box must contain the same
number of packages and must be plainly stenciled showing the contents and quantity in
box, name of the contractor, and the date of the contract. Boxes must not exceed 5 cubic
feet in capacity and must have no dimension greater than 30 inches. Packages must be
packed in boxes in multiples of 10. For shipment boxes will be tagged and not stenciled.

Workmanship, finish, etc. — Packets to be made of best materials throughout; workman-
ship to be first class; finished packets to be equal to and like standard in every respect.
Sample packet will be selected at random from deliveries made at this depot and tested as
to sealing and sterility, materials, etc., and if found defective the entire lot from which
sample was taken will be rejected. Excessive compression of the packet contents will not
be permitted.

DIRECTIONS FOR APPLYING FIRST-AID PACKETS, MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, UNITED STATES ARMY

The following is to be printed on a sheet of paper, measuring 3J4 by 4^ inches, paper to
be of standard quality:

DIRECTIONS FOR APPLYING (In caps.)

Carefully Remove the Wrapper andl (In dark face smaller
Proceed as Follows: I letters.)

1. If there is only one wound, carefully remove the paper from one of the two packages
without unfolding the compress or bandage and hold by grasping the outside roll of band-
age between the thumb and fingers.

When ready to dress wound, open compress by pulling on the two rolls, being careful not
to touch the inside of the compress with fingers or anything else. The back of the compress
is marked by a strip of blue paper. In grasping the rolls, if the thumbs are slipped in
the spaces marked by the blue strip the face of the compress will not be touched. Still
holding one roll of the bandage in each hand, apply the compress to the wound, then wrap
the bandage around the limb or part and tie the ends together or fasten with safety pins.
The second compress and bandage may be applied over the first, or it may be used for a
sling if the arm is wounded or to bind both legs together if one is injured.

320

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

2. If there are two wounds opposite each other, apply to one wound a compress without
unrolling the bandage, and hold it in place by the bandage of the compress used to cover
the other wound.

3. If there are two wounds not opposite each other, tie compress over each.

4. If the wound is too large to be covered by the compress, find and break the stitch,
holding the compress together, unfold it, and apply as directed above.

Note. — In printing the above a space should be left at the middle of the sheet so that
when the directions are folded to place in the packet the folding line will fall in this space.

United Stales Government Standard Specifications for Absorbent Gauze

GAUZE, PLAIN, 38 INCIIES WIDE

Mesh of picks
per inch

Warp Filling

44
32
32
28
24
22
20

40
28
26
24
20
18
16

Weight
per yard,
minimum

drums
48
30
29
26
24
22
19

1. A variation in count of one thread in the warp to the inch and one thread in the
filling to the inch or two threads to the square inch shall be allowed.

2. Free from loading material and visible particles other than cotton and be colorless,

3. The extract obtained by a hot distilled water extraction of the gauze shall weigh,
when dried to constant weight, not more than 0.25 per cent of the weight of the gauze
extracted; the weight of inorganic matter is not to exceed 30 per cent of the water extract.
The aqueous extract shall be of neutral reaction and free from starch, dextrin, glue, or loading
material.

4. One yard extracted with 95 per cent ethyl alcohol in a Soxhlet extractor for five
hours shall yield a solid extract, when dried at 100° C, of not more than 0.55 per cent by
weight.

5. One yard extracted with ethyl ether in a Soxhlet extractor for five hours shall yield
a solid extract, when dried at 100° C, of not more than 0.55 per cent by weight.

6. One yard incinerated in a platinum crucible shall yield not more than 0.06 to 0.08
per cent by weight of ash, containing potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and
aluminum, which were originally in combination with hydrochloric, sulphuric, and phosphoric
acids.

7. One yard folded into a square, the surface of which measures 16 square inches, with
the loose end loosely joined by No. 50 white cotton thread when held nearly in contact with the
surface of distilled water and dropped thereon, at 25° C. temperature, shall be completely
submerged in five seconds.

Specifications for First-Aid Packets, for Shell Wounds, Medical Department,

United States Army

First-aid packets to be made up as described below.

Guaze. — All gauze to be in accordance with United States Government Standard
Specifications for Absorbent Gauze, in weight, mesh, and chemical analysis. Gauze for
bandages to have 44 threads to the inch in the warp and 40 threads to the inch in the filling.
Gauze for compresses to have 32 threads to the inch in the warp and 28 threads to the inch
in the filling.

Rubber Sheeting. — To be made of fine quality bleached sheeting, weighing not less than
4 ounces to the linear yard, 36 inches wide, counting not less than 84 threads to the inch
in the warp and not less than 76 threads to the inch in the filling; to be thoroughly and
uniformly coated with a high-grade white rubber compound, equal to standard sample.

FIELD EQUIPMENT

321

The rubber compound to be calendered on, and not spread upon the sheeting. Sheeting
to be vulcanized by steam, and in finish to be equal to and like standard sample. Finished
sheeting to have an average tensile strength of not less than 40 pounds in the warp and
30 pounds in the filling, per inch of width.

1. One compress composed of 1 square yard of absorbent sublimated (1 : 1,000) gauze,
so folded as to make a pad 6 inches by 9 inches. Across the back of each end of this com-
press to be placed a piece of gauze bandage 3 inches wide by 48 inches long, the bands to
project beyond the compress 21 inches on each side. These bandages to be held in position
by securely stitching along the edges of the compress, stitching to pass through all layers
of the compress. The tails of the bandages are loosely rolled toward their back and placed
on the back of flic compress. The compress is then to be folded once across its length
face inside, and then from side to side. Thus folded, the compress to be securely wrapped
in parchment or waxed paper.

2. One bandage, compressed, 3 inches wide by 6 yards long, wrapped in parchment or
waxed paper.

3. Two No. 3 safety pins, wrapped in waxed paper.

The whole dressing, prepared as above, to be wrapped and sealed in a tough waxed
paper, compressed to form a package about 2J4 inches wide, 4J4 inches long, by 1% inches
thick, and then tightly inclosed in a piece of rubber sheeting 6 by 8 inches, the edges and
ends of the sheeting to be cemented so as to make the packet waterproof. On the outside
of the packet will be printed a list of the contents, directions for using same, together with
the name of the contractor and the date of the contract.

On the other side of the container will be securely pasted a standard label on which is
printed: "The directions for applying first-aid packet," the specifications for which are
attached hereto.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR FIRST-AID PACKETS, FOR SHELL WOUNDS, MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, UNITED

STATES ARMY

Packing and delivery. — All packages must be packed in well-mide, new boxes, constructed
of Jfj-inch material. Boxes must be of uniform size and each box must contain the same
number of packages and must be plainly stenciled showing the contents and quantity in box,
name of the contractor and the date of the contract. Boxes must not exceed 5 cubic feet in
capacity and must have no dimension greater than 30 inches. Packages must be packed in
boxes of multiples of 10. For shipment, boxes will be tagged and not stenciled.

Workmanship and finish. — Packets to be made of best materials throughout; workman-
ship to be first class; finished packets to be equal to and like standard in every respect.

The following printing to be on the outer surface of rubber sheeting cover of first-aid
l>ackets for shell wounds:

First-aid Packet For Shell Wounds, United States Army

CONTENTS OF PACKET

1 gauze compress, 6 by 9 inches, made up as a 4-tailed bandage.

1 gauze bandage, 3 inches bj' 6 yards.

2 safety pins.

DIRECTIONS

1. Unfold compress and apply inner surface to wound.

2. Tie compress in place witli short bandage attached thereto.

3. Cover compress by turns of the long roller bandage and fas-

ten with safety pins.

(Name of contractor and date of contract)

30663— 28 21

322 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

INDIVIDUAL DRESSING PACKET

The experience and observation during the years following its adoption in
1906 amply demonstrated the efficiency of the metal covering of the first-aid
packet. This packet was able to withstand, for considerable periods, the rough
usage to which, from conditions incident to the service, it must be subjected as
a part of the individual equipment of combatant troops. This rough usage was
materially less in the equipment of the Medical Department personnel. Many
of the first-aid packets used in battle by medical personnel would be taken
almost directly from the boxes of surgical dressings carried on the ambulances
and as a part of the regimental medical combat equipment. Here a great
degree of protection against damage by rough usage was not required. The
covering of the metal first-aid packet added appreciably to its weight. It also
added materially to its cost and limited the sources from which it could be
obtained. Its manufacture required extensive and expensive machinery and
practically only one firm had such equipment. It was decided, therefore, in
1916, to add another first-aid packet to the list which should be identical in
contents with the metal-covered packet but be inclosed in an impervious cover
of rubber sheeting, a reversion to the type of covering in use prior to 1906. To
this packet was given the name individual dressing packet. 3 It was issued with
the web belt of the enlisted personnel of the Medical Department, and in the
two types of surgical dressings boxes. 4 The specifications under which these
packets were purchased during 1917-18 are given below. 5 The quantities
purchased during those years are given in the consolidated table of surgical
dressings for field use which appears elsewhere in this chapter. 6

Specifications for Individual Dressing Packets Medical Department, United States

Army

To be made up as described below.

Materials. — All gauze to be in accordance with United States Government Standard
Specifications for Absorbent Gauze, in weight, mesh, and chemical analysis. Gauze for
bandage to have 44 threads to the inch in the warp and 40 threads to the inch in the filling.
Gauze for compresses to have 32 threads to the inch in the warp and 28 threads to the inch
in the filling.

1. Two bandages of absorbent, sublimated (1 : 1,000) gauze, 4 by 84 inches.

2. Two compresses of absorbent, sublimated (1:1,000) gauze, each composed of one-half
square yard of gauze, so folded as to make a compress 3J^ by 7 inches. One compress to
be placed lengthwise in the center of each bandage, and retained in position by sewing along
one end and across the center. The loose end of the compress is then folded on the sewed
part and held by one or two stitches; thus making a compress 3J^ by 3>£ inches. Each
bandage thus prepared to be rolled loosely from each end, with the roll toward the back of
the bandage, until the compress is reached. The latter is now covered with a strip of stand-
ard quality, heavy weight, blue tissue paper 3 by 3 inches, and folded through the center,
the flattened rolls of the bandages laid on either side of the folded compress, the strip of
paper being between back of compress and the flattened bandages. Each bandage then to
be wrapped separately in parchment or wax paper.

3. Two No. 3 safety pins, wrapped in wax paper. The two compresses and the two
safety pins are then wrapped together in waxed tough paper. One copy of the " Directions
for application," the specifications for which are attached hereto, to be inclosed in each
packet. The packet thus prepared to be placed in an outer wrapping of rubber sheeting
of sufficient size to completely cover same. The edges and ends of the sheeting to be cemented
so as to make the packet waterproof. Finished packet to measure 4 by 2J4 by 1 inch, over
all (these dimensions not to be exceeded).

FIELD EQUIPMENT 323

Rubber sheeting. — Rubber sheeting for outer wrapper of packet to be made of fine quality
bleached sheeting, weighing not less than 4 ounces to the linear yard, 36 inches wide, counting
not less than 84 threads to the inch in the warp and not less than 76 threads to the inch
in the filling; to be thoroughly and uniformly coated with a high-grade white rubber com-
pound, equal to the standard sample. The rubber compound to be calendered on, and not
spread upon the sheeting. Sheeting to be vulcanized by steam, and in finish equal to and
like standard sample. Finished sheeting to have an average tensile strength of not less than
40 pounds in the warp and 30 pounds in the filling, per inch of width. Contents of package
to be sterile.

The words "INDIVIDUAL DRESSING PACKET, U. S. ARMY," to be printed on
top of packet; also the date of the contract and the name of the contractor.

FIRST-AID PACKETS FOR INSTRUCTION

To insure the maximum benefit from the first-aid packet it was essential
that the individuals who were to be provided therewith should know how to
use it. For a number of years after the first-aid packet was adopted, the
issue was limited to members of the Hospital Corps and to company bearers. 7
At that time four men in every company were selected by the company
commander to look after the sick and wounded of the company, to administer
temporary first aid if the need required it during an engagement, and to carry
the wounded to the dressing stations in the rear. 7 These men were usually
selected with the advice of the medical officer with the command. 7 They
were trained with the detachment of the Hospital Corps in the duties of
stretcher bearers and in rendering first aid under the immediate supervision of
the surgeon. The standard first-aid packet was utilized in this instruction in
first aid and the same packages were used repeatedly until worn out. A few
years later it was decided that all officers and enlisted men of the Army should
be instructed in the use of the first-aid packet. 8 The number of packets
required for this purpose and the expense of the metal first-aid packet led
to the devclpment of another packet designed for instruction only. 9 It was
called first-aid packet for instruction. It contained the same materials as the
standard first-aid aid packet, but they were put up in pasteboard cartons.
These containers were of sufficient size to permit the dressings to be easily
replaced in them after use. The instruction packets made their appearance in
the supply table of 1911 as one of three forms of first-aid packets authorized. 9
The Manual for the Medical Department authorized the issue of 20 first-aid
packets to each company for instruction purposes. 10 The supply table of 1916
allowed 40 instruction packets per 100 men of the command." The specifica-
tions under which first-aid packets for instruction were purchased in 1917-18 are
given below. 5 These quantities purchased during those years are given in the
consolidated table of surgical dressings for field use which appears at the end of
this chapter. 6

Specifications for First-aid Packets for Instruction, Medical Department, United

States Army

Packets to be made up as described below.

Materials. — All gauze to be in accordance with United States Government Standard
Specifications for Absorbent Gauze in weight, mesh, and chemical analysis. Gauze to have
32 threads to the inch in the warp and 28 threads to the inch in the filling. Muslin to
have 56 threads to the inch in the warp and 56 threads to the inch in the filling.

324 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Contents and construction of packet. — 1. Two bandages of muslin 4 inches by 84 inches.

2. Two compresses of absorbent gauze, each composed of one-half square yard of gauze,
so folded as to make a compress 3^ inches by 7 inches.

One compress to be placed lengthwise in the center of each bandage, and retained in
position by sewing along one end and across the center. The loose end of the compress is
then folded on the sewed part and held by one or two stitches, thus making a compress 33^
by 3H inches.

Each bandage thus prepared to be rolled loosely from each end, with the roll toward
the back of the bandage, until the compress is reached. The latter is now covered with a
strip of standard quality, heavy weight, blue tissue paper, 3 inches by 3 inches, and folded
through the center, the flattened rolls of the bandage laid on either side of the folded compress,
the strip of paper being between back of the compress and the flattened bandages. Each
bandage then to be wrapped separately in parchment or waxed paper.

3. Two No. 3 safety pins wrapped in waxed paper.

The above articles, as prepared, to be placed in a strong dark-brown cardboard box,
with slip cover, of standard quality, size, and construction, measuring 2J4 inches by Z%
inches by 4^£ inches deep, inside measurements. On the face of the container will be
securely pasted a standard label on which is printed the following:

U. S. ARMY FIRST AID INSTRUCTION PACKET

This packet to be used only for giving instruction in first aid.
It may be used repeatedly and should be washed and ironed when
soiled.

(Name of contractor and date of contract.)

All the contents of the packet must be sterile.

Packing and delivery. — All packages must be packed in well-made new boxes, constructed
of J^-inch material. Boxes must be of uniform size and each box must contain the same
number of packages and must be plainly stenciled showing the contents and quantity in box,
name of the contractor, and the date of the contract. Boxes must not exceed 5 cubic feet
in capacity, and must have no dimension greater than 30 inches. Packages must be
packed in boxes in multiples of 10. For shipment boxes will be tagged and not stenciled.

Workmanship, finish, etc. — Packets to be made of best material throughout; workman-
ship to be first class, finished packets to be equal to and like standard in every respect.

Sample packets will be selected at random from deliveries made at this depot and

tested as to sterility, materials, etc., and if found defective the entire lot from which the

sample was taken will be rejected. Excessive compression of the packet contents will not

be permitted.

GAUZE PACKETS

In providing dressing for field use, particularly in field and evacuation
hospitals, it was anticipated that conditions would arise wherein the standard
first-aid packet and the shell-wound packet would prove inadequate. In
redressing or reinforcing the dressing of wounds it was likely that additional
quantities of sterile gauze would be required. To meet these conditions gauze
packets in impervious containers were included in the list of field dressings.
Two types of packets were provided, plain sterile gauze and sumblimated gauze.
The plain gauze was intended primarily for evacuation hospitals. 12 The
sublimated gauze packets were intended for regimental medical detachments
and field hospitals as well as evacuation hospitals. 13 Two packets of sublimated
gauze were carried in packet No. 3 of the Hospital Corps web belt. 14 They
were also included in both types of boxes of surgical dressings. 15 Specifications
for these gauze packets appear below. The quantities purchased during
1917-18 are given in the consolidated table of surgical dressings for field use
which appears elsewhere in this chapter. 6

FIELD EQUIPMENT 325

Specifications Fob Gauze, Plain, 1-Yard Package, Medical Department, United

States Army

(28 by 24)

Materials. — All gauze to be in accordance with the United States Government Standard
Specifications for Absorbent Gauze, in weight, mesh, and chemical analysis. Gauze to have
28 threads to the inch in the warp and 24 threads to the inch in the filling. Gauze to be
sterile and packed by an approved process.

Packages. — Each package to consist of 2 one-half square yards (2 pieces) of gauze; each
J^-yard piece to be properly folded and securely wrapped in a satisfactory paper wrapper,
the two pieces thus wrapped to be placed in an outer cardboard container and thoroughly
sealed by means of paraffin process; completed package to measure 1 by 2% by 3% inches
(not exceed measurements). Excessive compression will not be allowed. Each package
will bear a label showing its contents, name of the contractor, and the date of the contract.

Packing and delivery. — All packages must be packed in well-made, new boxes constructed
of 1/% inch material. Boxes must be of uniform size, and each box must contain the same
number of packages and must be plainly stenciled showing the contents and quantity in
box, name of the contractor, and the date of the contract. Boxes must not exceed 5 cubic
feet in capacity and must have no dimension greater than 30 inches. Packages must be
packed in boxes in multiples of 10. For shipment boxes will be tagged and not stenciled.

Inspection. — Specimens of gauze delivered at the depot will be subjected to standard
tests, cultural and otherwise. If a sample is found to be defective the entire lot from which
it was taken will be rejected.

Quality, etc. — Quality of gauze and method of packing to be equal to the standard in
every respect.

Specifications for Gauze Sublimated, 1-Yard Packages, Medical Department,

United States Army

(28 by 24)

Materials. — All gauze to be in accordance with United States Government Standard
Specifications for Absorbent Gauze, in weight, mesh, and chemical analysis. Gauze to have
28 threads to the inch in the warp and 24 threads to the inch in the filling. Gauze to be
sublimated, 1 to 1,000, sterilized and packed by an approved process.

Packages. — Each package to consist of 2 one-half square yards (2 pieces) of gauze; each
Mj-yard piece to be properly folded and securely wrapped in a satisfactory paper wrapper,
tl.e two pieces thus wrapped to be placed in an outer cardboard container and thoroughly
sealed by means of paraffin process; completed package to n easure 1 by 2% by 3% inches
(not exceed measurements). Excessive compression will not be allowed. Each package
will bear a label showing its contents, name of the contractor, and the date of the contract.

Packing and delivery. — All packages must be packed in well-made, new boxes, constructed
of J4, inch material. Boxes must be of uniform size, and each box must contain the same
number of packages and must be plainly stenciled showing the contents and quantity in
box, name of the contractor, and the date of the contract. Boxes must not exceed 5 cubic
feet in capacity and must have no dimension greater than 30 inches. Packages must be
packed in boxes in multiples of 10. For shipment boxes will be tagged and not stenciled.

Inspection. — Specimens of gauze at the depot will be subjected to standard tests,
cultural and otherwise. If a sample is found to be defective, the entire lot from which it
was taken will be rejected.

Quality, etc. — Quality of gauze and method of packing to be equal to (he standard in
every espect.

COMPRESSED GAUZE BANDAGES

Two other forms of surgical dressings intended for field use appear on the
supply table, viz, compressed gauze bandages and 1-ounce packets of absorbent
cotton. These 1-ounce packets of absorbent cotton corresponded in quality,
sterility, and general manner of preparation to the 1-pound package, but were

326 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

compressed and inclosed in a waterproofed pasteboard carton for protection
and for convenience in carrying.

The compressed gauze bandage was made of the same grade of gauze as
the standard roller bandage, 44 threads per inch in the warp and 40 threads
per inch in the filling, but differed from it in length, manner of rolling, and the
carton in which packed. The bandages were of the standard widths, 2^-inch,
3-inch, and 33^-inch, but were only 6 yards long, while the roller bandage was
10 yards long. To permit shaping the compressed bandage into a flat form,
for convenience in packing and carrying, it was necessary to roll it loosely and
without a central core. The standard roller bandage was rolled as tightly as
possible from the center outward. Compressed bandages were individually
wrapped and sealed and packed one gross to a pasteboard carton. While this
carton differed in shape from that of the roller bandage, it was but little more
than half the size. The standard basic specifications for absorbent gauze,
already quoted, applied to these bandages. For economy in manufacture, the
width of the 33^-inch bandage was reduced one-eighth inch. The salvage
could not be used for bandages, and cutting the yard-wide gauze resulted in
the waste of the equivalent of one bandage per width. By rearranging the
bandage a little it was possible to remove the salvage and still cut nine bandages
per width. The quantities purchased during the years 1917-18, both of
compressed bandages and of 1-ounce packets of absorbent cotton, are given in
the consolidated table of surgical dressings for field use at the end of this
chapter. 6

SPECIAL SURGICAL DRESSINGS DEVELOPED DURING THE WORLD WAR

The surgical dressings for field use, described in the preceding pages, had
been developed after years of experience and trial under field and simulated
combat conditions. The first-aid packet had proved satisfactory for small arms
wounds in open warfare. The compressed bandage and the sublimated gauze
packet had served well as supplementary dressings in those cases where the
first-aid packet proved inadequate to properly protect the wound. The
adequacy of the first-aid packet, shell wound, had never been demonstrated
because no occassion for its use had been presented during the years following
its adoption. It was still an untried article, but theoretically it should have
furnished satisfactory protection to large wounds.

The progress of the World War had marked the advent of new engines of
destruction vastly more violent than those witnessed in any previous war.
The destruction of tissue caused by the fragments from these missiles was
correspondingly greater. Massive wounds became more frequent. The casu-
alties in the various engagements increased. The pollution of the soil greatly
enhanced the infection of wounds and increased the problems of first aid.
New types and greater quantities of surgical dressings became necessary.

To meet the requirements by the United States Army the commander in
chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, appointed a board of
medical officers in August, 1917, "for the purpose of investigating and reporting
upon the advisability of standardizing certain appliances to be xised by the
Medical Department." The board, in its deliberations, was guided by instruc-

FIELD EQUIPMENT 327

tions from the chief surgeon, A. E. F. 15 While the principal mission of this
board was the investigation of splints and surgical appliances for hospital use,
it was extended to cover field dressings. The board, in its deliberations on
field dressings, was governed by the general principle that 10 —

Surgical dressings should protect the wounded man from —

1. Trauma to his wounds;

2. Loss of blood;

3. Secondary infection,

and should be so applied as to add to his comfort during treatment and transportation.

In the manufacture of these dressings it is not essential that absolute accuracy in
measurements be observed.

The special dressings recommended by the board are described below. Of
these dressings the front-line packets numbered 1, 2, and 3 were used principally
by the divisional medical units in the zone of combat. The larger dressings
were intended for use in all hospital organizations from front to rear, field
hospitals, surgical hospitals, evacuation hospitals, and base hospitals. They
were put up in convenient packages and greatly facilitated the work at the
hospitals and saved the time of the nurses and attendants. All front-line
packets were protected by an impervious covering against moisture and vesicant
gases.

Special Surgical Dressings Required By The Medical Department of The

United States Army

packet no. 1 (red label), for small wounds

This packet contains the following supplies, wrapped up in a paper covering that has
been dipped in paraffin to protect its contents from moisture. It is marked with two red
bands.

On opening the outer covering there will be found:

1. Two unbleached muslin bandages, 4 inches by 5 yards, cut on the bias; 2

safety pins, 1J^ inches long, are attached to each bandage.

2. A muslin bag, which opens at one end. This bag contains dressings which are

sterile.
The sterile dressings comprise:

1. One toothpick swab wrapped in oiled paper to be used for applying alcohol or

iodine.

2. Two cotton tampons.

3. Four gauze wipes, 4 by 4 inches.

4. One absorbent pad, 4 by 6 inches, attached to a muslin bandage 2 inches by 7

feet long.
*******

PACKET NO. 2 (WHITE LABEL), FOR MEDIUM-SIZED WOUNDS

This packet contains the following supplies, wrapped up in a paper covering that has
been dipped in paraffin to protect its contents from moisture. It is marked with two white
bands.

On opening the outer covering there will be found:

1. Two unbleached bandages, 5 inches by 5 yards, cut on the bias; two safety

pins, 1J^ inches long, are attached to each bandage.

2. A muslin bag, which opens at one end. This bag contains dressings which are

sterile.
The sterile dressings comprise:

1 . One toothpick applicator wrapped in oiled paper to be used for applying alco-
hol or iodine.

328 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

2. Four cotton tampons.

3. Four gauze wipes, 4 by 4 inches.

4. One gauze wick, y% inch by 8 inches.

5. One absorbent pad, 5 by 7 inches, attached to a muslin bandage 2 inches by 7

feet long.
* ******

PACKET NO. 3 (BLUE LABEL), FOR LARUE WOUNDS

This packet contains the following supplies, wrapped in a paper covering that has been
dipped in paraffin to protect its contents fiom moisture. It is marked with two blue bands.
On opening the outer covering there will be found:

1. Two unbleached muslin bandages, 6 inches by 5 yards, cut on the bias; two safety-

pins, 1H inches long, are attached to each bandage.

2. A muslin bag which opens at one end. This bag contains dressings which are

sterile.
The sterile dressings comprise:

1. One toothpick applicator wrapped in oiled paper to be used for applying alcohol

or iodine.

2. Six cotton tampons.

3. Six gauze wipes, 3 by 7 inches.

4. Two gauze wicks, 1 by 15 inches.

5. One absorbent pad, 11 by 12 inches, attached to a muslin bandage, 4 inches by

7 feet long.

Gauze roll (5 yards). — This dressing is made of one piece of gauze 30 inches wide, 5 yards
long, folded to a width of i l A inches and rolled into bandage form 5 yards long; 2 in a pack.

Gauze roll {3 yards). — This dressing is made of one piece of gauze 30 inches wide, 3 yards
long, folded to a width of ty 2 inches and rolled into bandage form 3 yards long; 2 in a pack.

Sponges. — Small size cut gauze 9 inches by 16 inches and fold to 2 inches by 2J4 inches;
25 in a package. Large size cut gauze 12 inches by 18 inches and fold to 4 inches by 4^
inches; 25 in a package.

Sterile dressing pads. — One size, cut 16 inches and folded 8 by 4 inches; 25 in a package.

Unsterile dressing pads. — Two types; two sizes.

Type 1, size 1, 8 by 12 inches; one-half absorbent cotton; one-half nonabsorbent cotton;
covered with one-half yard of gauze.

Size 2, 14 by 20 inches; one-half absorbent cotton; one half-nonabsorbent cotton; cov-
ered with 1 yard of gauze.

Type 2, size 1, \\% by 18 inches; one-half absorbent cotton, newspaper back; one-
half nonabsorbent cotton, newspaper back; covered with 1 yard of gauze.

Size 2, 18 by 23 inches; one-half absorbent cotton, newspaper back; one-half non-
absorbent cotton, newspaper back; covered with 1}^ yards of gauze.

The numbers given below indicate the relative quantities required by the forces
overseas.

For example, for every ten 3-yard gauze rolls sent there should be 600 red-label
packets.

Xumber Number

Packet No. 1 (red label). For small Sterile dressing pads 300

wounds 600 Unsterile dressing pads:

Packet No. 2 (white label). For Type 1

wounds of moderate size 500 Sizel- 200

Packet No. 3 (blue label). For large g; ze 2 15

wounds 400 Type 2

Gauze roll: gi ze j ~-

5 yards., 8 Size 2. .__ !..- .'.".'.'.'.'. 50

3 yards 10

nges :

Small 400

Large 350

Sponges: 3,043

Small 400

FIELD EQUIPMENT

329

The front-line packets were somewhat modified in October, 1918, by
another board of medical officers whose findings were duly approved. Before
the recommendations of this board could be put into effect in production of
dressings the armistice had been signed and the need for them had ceased.
The modifications recommended by the board were the omission of one roller
bandage from front-line packets 1 and 2 and the omission of the toothpick
applicator and cotton tampon from all three packets. The sizes of the absorb-
ent gauze pads was changed and the pad was no longer sewed to the bandage .
This made for simplicity of manufacture and for convenience of application. 17

The dressings recommended by the board in 1917 corresponded very
closely to those being furnished to the armies of the Allies by the American
Red Cross. An agreement was entered into, in March, 1918, between the
Medical Department and the American lied Cross for the manufacture of these
dressings. Under this agreement the Medical Department furnished all the
materials and arranged for their delivery to the Red Cross; arranged for the
sterilization of all dressings which required it; provided for the paraffin
treatment of the outer covering of front-line packets and the preparation of
such packets for shipment overseas; provided bills of lading on which shipments
were made from the central shipping points of the Red Cross to the ports of
embarkation and thence to the medical supply depots in France. The American
Red Cross distributed the materials to its various chapters where those materials
were fabricated into finished dressings. The output of the various chapters
was collected at central points where the dressings were turned over to the
Medical Department. The front-line packets were sterilized at New York
City under contract, paraffined, and packed in suitable boxes, cases, or bales
for ocean shipment under the supervision of the medical supply officer in that
city.

STANDARD SURGICAL DRESSINGS PURCHASED

The following table shows the quantities of standard surgical dressings for
field use purchased during the years 1917-18 by the Medical Department of
the United States Army: 6

Standard .surgical dressing)! for field use purchased during 1917-1 S
FIRST-AID PACKETS
(Par. 944)

Date

Contractor

Quantity
ordered

„ . Oray gauze
Fncc furnished by—

Quantity
canceled

Accepted ' Amount paid

1917

July 27

Dec. 1(1

10

4,000,000

320, 872

1,679,128

2. 400, 000
3,000,000

$0. 276 Contractor

.3107 do

.3057 do

. 192 Government . .
.1876 ' do

None.

4.000,000 $1,104,000.00

""/do ;il""l™™""I"I"

None. 320.872 99.694.93
None. 1,679,128 513,309.43

1918
Apr. 27

do .--

None. 2. 400, 000
None. 3. fl(K). 000

460. 800. 00

do

562, 800. 00

Sept. 10

Total

Add for material furnished by
the Medical Department.

2,000,000 .1876 do

1.000.000 1,000,000 187.600.00

13, 400, 000

1,000.000

12.403.000

2. 928, 204. 36
788,205.00

3,716,409.36

330

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Standard surgical dressings for field use -purchased during 1917—18-
FIRST-AID PACKETS, SHELL WOUND

-Continued

1917
June 25
Mar. 20

Wilford Hall Laboratories

600,000
50,000

310,000

250, 000

300,000

300, 000

1,100,000

1,000,000

1.000,000

1.100,000

$0. 1947
.1947

.1109

. 10345

.11

.115

.108

.1106

.108

.1105

Contractor

do

Government .-

do

do .—

do

do.

do

do

162,720
None.

None.
None.
None.
254, 160
449,000
None.
1,000,000
1, 000, 000

437, 280
50,000

310,080
250, 000
300,000

45, 840

651, 000

1,100,000

None.

None.

$85, 138. 42
9,735,00

34. 387. 87
25 862.50

1918
May fi
Apr. 29

Wilford Hall Laboratories

33 000.00

July 27

5 271.60

27

70, 308. 00

27

Sept. 16

Bauer <fe Black —

17

do

Total

6,010,000

2, 865, 880

3, 144, 200

385, 363. 39
326, 802. 90

712, 166. 29

Add for material furnished by
the Medical Department.

INDIVIDUAL DRESSING PACKETS

1917

June 25

July 27

June 25

25

Dec. 10

10

10

10

1918

Mar. 11

11

Apr. 27

29

May 7

3

6

June 27

July 27

27

27

27

27

Sept. 16

Oct. 3

American Druggists Syndicate-
Bauer & Black ..

Seabury & Johnson ..

Wilford Hall Laboratories

Bauer & Black

do

Johnson & Johnson

do

Bauer & Black

Johnson & Johnson

American Druggists Syndicate.

Lewis Manufacturing Co

Seabury & Johnson

Bauer & Black

American Druggists Syndicate.

Seabury & Johnson

Wattcrs Laboratories

Lewis Manufacturing Co

Bauer & Black —

do

Lewis Manufacturing Co.. __

Total... .-_.

Add for material furnished by
the Medical Department.

90,000

700,000

2, 600, 000

1, 600, 000

1,070,250

14,000

915, 500

250

800,000

200,000

1,000,000

700,000

150,000

150, 000

1,000,000

1,000,000

200, 000

300,000

200,000

300,000

2, 000, 000

1,300,000

700.000

16, 990, 000

$0. 1H620
.17
.175
.1788
.213
.2118
.208
.2068

.215

.21448

.107

.1117

.1175

.115

.112

.107

.1175

.116

.11265

.116

.1026

. 1026

.11

Contractor.

do

do

do

do

do

do

—do

do

do

Government

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

do

None.
None.
None.
122, 950
None.
None.
None.
None.

None.

None.

None.

None.

None.

None.

None.

None.
108,000
229, 350

None.

None.

None.
873, 500
465, 100

1,798,900

90,000

700,000

2, 600, 000

1, 487, 050
1,070,250

14, 000

915, 500

250

800, 000

200,000

1.000,000

700,000

150,000

150,000

1,000,240

1,000,000

92,000

70, 650

200, 000

300, 000

2, 000, 000
426, 500
234,900

15,201,340

$16,763.40
119,000.00
455, 000. 00
265, 884. 54
227, 963. 25
2, 965. 20
190, 424. 00
51.70

172, 000. 00
42. 896. 00

107,000.00
78,190.00
17, 625. 00
17,250.00

112,026.88

107, 000. 00
10, 810. 00
8, 195. 40
22, 530. 00
34, 800. 00

205, 200. 00
43, 758. 90
25, 839. 00

2, 283, 173, 27
900, 858. 90

$3,184,032.17

FIRST-AID PACKETS FOR INSTRUCTION

1917

100,000
100,000
200,000

$0. 21962
.2012
.2562

Contractor

do

do _

None.
None.
None.

100,000
100,000
200,000

$21,962.00
20,120.00
51, 240. 00

25
Dec. 21

do...

Total

400,000

400,000

93, 322. 00

GAUZE, PLAIN, STERILIZED, 2',$- YARD LENGTHS

1917

1,400,000

450,000
1,061,000

667,000
1, 400, 000

600,000
6, 500, 000

$0. 08327

.044

.46

.04

.04

.04

.04

Contractor

Government..

do

do

do

do

do

None.

None.
528, 440

None.

950, OOO

600,000

6, 500, 000

1, 400, 000

450, 000
532, 560
567,000
450,000

None.

None.

$116,578.00

19, 800. 00
24, 497. 76
22, 680. 00
18,000.00

1918
May 6
July 27

do. — __

do... ...

27

Sept. 16

do _

Oct. 3

Lewis Manufacturing Co

Sept. 17

Total

11.978,000

8, 578, 440

3, 399, 560

201, 556. 76
113,313.50

Add for material furnished by
the Medical Department.

314, 869. 26

FIELD EQUIPMENT

331

Standard surgical dressings for field use purchased during 1917-18 — Continued
GAUZE, SUBLIMATED, 2.H YARDS PER PACKAGE

1917
July 27
June 25
23

1918
Feb. 21

Bauer & Black

Seabury & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson

Bauer & Black

Total

9, 500, 000
3, 000, 000
21,500,000

48,000

34, 048, 000

. 08386
. 07208

Contractor.

do

do

None. 9, 500, 000
None. 3, 000, 000
None. 21, 500, 000

None.

$760,000.00

251,580.00

1,549,720.00

2, SCO, 931). to

COTTON, ABSORBENT, 1 OUNCE IN PACKAGE

1917
July 27

Bauer & Black...

5,000,000
1,500,000
8, 500, 000

1,000,000

500,000

1,500,000

1, 700, 000

146,000

500,000

$0. 049
.04332
.03776

. 04035
.04035
.042
. 04275
.049
. 04035

None.
33,600
None.

None.
500,000
700,000

None.

None.

None.

5, 000, 000
1, 466, 400
8, 500, 000

1, (XX), 000
None.
800,000

1,700,000
146, 000
500,000

$245, 000. 00
63, 524. 45

23

Johnson & Johnson... .... ...

Bauer & Black ...

320,960.00
40,350.00

1918
Aug. 8

8

Lewis Manufacturing Co. _ ..

Oct. 3

33, 600. 00
72,675.00
7, 154. 00

15

Feb. 21

do

Aug. 17

do

20, 175. 00

Total

20, 346, 000

1,233,600

19,112.400

803, 438. 45

RECAPITULATION

First-aid packets:

Metal covered

Shell wound

Individual dressing packets .

First-aid packets for instruction __

<lauze:

Plain, sterilized, 2H-yard packets.

Sublimated, 2H-yara packets

Cotton, absorbent, 1 -ounce packets

Total cost (approximate) _

Quantity
ordered

Canceled

13, 400, 000

6,010,000

16, 990, 000

400,000

11,978,000
34,048,000
20, 346, 000

1,000,000

2, 865, 880

1, 798, 900

None.

Accepted

12, 400, 000

3, 1 14, 200

15,201,340

400,000

8, 578. 440 3, 399, 560

None. 34, 048. 000

1,233,600 19,112,400

Amount paid

$3,716,409.36

712, 166. 29

3,184,032.17

93, 322. 00

314, 869. 26

2, 566, 930. 40

803, 438. 45

11,391,167.93

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Secretary of War, December IS, 1905, relative

to improvements in first-aid packets. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 113055 (Old
Files).

(2) G. O., No. 84, W. D., May 5, 1906, 2.

(3) Manual for the Medical Department, 1916, par. 969.

(4) Ibid., par. 954. 955.

<5) Taken from retained copies of contracts made at the Field Medical Supply Depot and

now on file at the Medical Section, New York General Intermediate Depot,

Brooklyn, N. Y.
<C) Data compiled from copies of contracts and schedules of delivery on file in the Office

of Chief of Finance, Miscellaneous Section.
<7) G. O., No. 56, Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C. August 11, 1887, pars.

17-18. Also: Circular No. 9, Headquarters of the Army, August 8, 1891, Sec. VI.
<8) Letter from Mai'. J. P. Sanger, Inspector General, South Atlantic District, to the

Inspector General, January 21, 1896, relative to instruction in first aid, and the

recommendations of the Surgeon General thereon. On file, Record Room, S. G. O.,

14852-E (Old Files).

332 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(9) Manual for the Medical Department, 1911, par. 898 (b); ibid., 1916, par. 945.

(10) Ibid., 1911, par. 394.

(11) Ibid., 1916, par. 845.

(12) Ibid., p. 298.

(13) Ibid., par. 866, 879, 891, 932.

(14) Ibid., par. 907.

(15) S. O., No 73, H. Q., A. E. F., France, August 20, 1917, par. 17.

(16) Manual of Splints and Appliances for the Use of the Medical Department of the U. S.

Arm\', American Red Cross, Second Edition, 1918, p. 17.

(17) S. O., No. 824, G. H. Q., H. A. E. F., France, October 11, 1918, par. 169.

SECTION IV

MOTOR VEHICLES ■

CHAPTER XX

MOTOR AMBULANCE SUBDIVISION, SURGEON GENERAL'S OFFICE

At the time we entered the World War, and for some time thereafter, the
Medical Department was charged with the proper designing of motor ambu-
lances, 6 their purchase, inspection, and maintenance. For the effectual conduct
of. this work there was organized in the finance and supply division a motor
ambulance section which, as related in Chapter I, eventually became the motor
ambulance subdivision.

While the assistant chief of the finance and supply division was in general
charge of the activities concerning automobile ambulances, the chief of the
motor ambulance subdivision was an expert from civil life, selected for his
special qualifications.

An idea of the organization of the motor ambulance subdivision can best
be gained from a description of the manner in which it functioned. This was
as follows: The technical expert who was in general charge was charged also
with design, production, inspection, and assembly of motor ambulances. The
technical assistant was charged with legal matters, contracts, and correspond-
ence. A motor ambulance experimental station was maintained in Washington,
D. C, for testing and for development of changes and improvements in detail
of design and construction. Inspection groups were detailed at the factory of
the General Motors Truck Co., at Pontiac, Mich., and at the factories of the
several body manufacturers, for inspection of the work in progress and its
acceptance when completed. This personnel directly represented the Surgeon
General at the several factories and were responsible for production and
periodic reports thereof, and for improvements in methods, processes, and
design. A motor ambulance supply depot was established at Louisville,
Ky., for receiving, assembling, testing, storing, and shipping motor ambulances,
motor cycles, and spare parts therefor/

• The motor ambulance did not entirely eliminate the animal-drawn ambulance. Tables of organization required
that one of the four ambulance companies authorized for each Infantry division be animal drawn. So they were in the
United States. Overseas, animal-drawn ambulances were not much used, and indeed were not sent over except with
the first few divisions, as the 1st and 2d Regular Divisions and the 26th and 42d National Quard Divisions. Animal-
drawn ambulances, with all spare parts and repairs, were furnished by the Quartermaster Corps.

1 The motor ambulance board, which was referred to in the introduction to this volume, continued to function for
several months after the declaration of war, April 6, 1917, thus accounting for frequent references to it in succeeding
pages, in connection with the design of ambulances. Its duties gradually were assumed by the motor ambulance
subdivision. Surgeon General's Office.

■ A full account of the activities of this depot appears in Chap. XLI.

333

334 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The following extract from a memorandum to the Inspector General indi-
cates briefly the functions, duties, and methods of the motor ambulance sub-
division of the Surgeon General's Office, as of April 26, 1918:'

(1) The general problem of "providing motor ambulances of satisfactory quality and
design, in necessary quantities, and at the right time" is assigned to one office, including
personnel at one motor ambulance experimental station, one body-producing plant, one
chassis-producing plant, one motor ambulance supply, repair, and salvage depot. The
responsibility of the officer in general charge of this work has been clearly outlined. His
authority under the approval of the colonel in charge of the supply branch is clear. The
responsibility and authority of each officer in charge of the various stations under the
directing Washington office have been clearly outlined.

(2) The general problem of "providing motor ambulances of satisfactory quality and
design, in necessary quantities, and at the right time" is regarded as including (1) engi-
neering and design, (2) procurement, (3) production, (4) inspection, (5) proper delivery
f. o. b. factories. At the directing Washington office, and at each station, each of the above
five subdivisions is intimately involved, and interdependent in the successful solution of
the general problem stated. No one can be handled independently, or even without the
closest cooperation and knowledge of the others. Division of responsibility and authority,
as per these subdivisions, has not been found necessary or desirable. On the contrary, it is
believed such subdivision would lead to confusion of responsibility and authority, over-
lapping if not conflicting effort, mistakes, and delays in the successful emergency solution
of the general problem.

(3) Care has been exercised in the selection of experienced officers in charge of this
work at its various stations; each has his responsibility and authority clearly outlined on
paper, and in a definite, complete production problem; and the Medical Department
submits that its system for " providing motor ambulances of satisfactory quality and design,
in necessary quantities, and at the right time," is successful.

(4) The officers in charge at the various stations look to one office for authority and
direction. They are kept in touch, as far as practicable, with the aims and general opera-
tion at other plants and at the Washington office.

(5) The general problem, including its various subdivisions, at the various stations and
plants, is not too large for competent experienced officers in charge to successfully handle.
On the contrary, there is great advantage, both theoretical and practical, in assigning to
officers in charge a definite, complete problem, with responsibility and authority to see it
through. Enthusiasm, overtime efforts, exceptional cooperation, and teamwork have
resulted in motor ambulance work.

The personnel at the motor ambulance experimental station at Washington
was employed continually in working out improvements in design and prepar-
ing detail drawings of these improvements, in making road and shop tests, in
making inspections of motor ambulances and equipment and Medical Depart-
ment personnel at the various camps in charge of such vehicles and equipment,
and in giving instruction at various Medical Department schools. This per-
sonnel was very intimately associated with the ambulance section in the Sur-
geon General's Office and was used to develop the details that section desired.
In the summer of 1918, the personnel on duty at this station consisted of 8
commissioned officers of the Sanitary Corps and 12 noncommissioned officers
and 5 privates of the Medical Department. 2

The inspection groups at the plants for manufacturing chassis and bodies
consisted, August 30, 1918, of 4 officers of the Sanitary Corps and 17 enlisted
men (5 noncommissioned officers, 12 privates), Medical Department, at the
General Motors Truck Co.'s plant, Pontiac, Mich.; 2 officers of the Sanitary
Corps and 5 enlisted men (4 noncommissioned officers, 1 private), Medical

MOTOR VEHICLES

335

Department, at the Anderson Electric Car Co.'s plant, Detroit, Mich.; and 1
officer of the Sanitary Corps and 4 enlisted men (3 noncommissioned officers,
1 private), Medical Department, at the plant of the Elkhart Carriage & Motor
Car Co., Elkhart, Ind. Their principal duties were to supervise production,
watch processes of manufacture, correct defects in methods and products, carry
out the policies of the central office, and keep it informed of progress in
production. 2

REFERENCES

(1) Memorandum from the Surgeon General, April 26, 1918, to Maj. Robert D. Palmer,

Office of the Inspector General, April 26, 1918. Subject: Organization of the
Medical Department for the provision of ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply

„. . . o r< n 750—138

Division, S. (_r. (J., — -r-=

45

(2) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, August 30, 1918. Subject:

750-519
Motor Transport Corps. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,

CHAPTER XXI
THE AMBULANCE CHASSIS

Since chassis for motor ambulances were manufactured for the Medical
Department during the World War by one producing plant" and the bodies
for them were manufactured by several other plants, it is essential in the
interests of clarity to consider these parts of the motor ambulance separately
and as a preliminary to the consideration of other features of the subject of
motor ambulances which have a general application.

Following the declaration of war on April 6, 1917, when the question arose
as to the selection of a model for the Army motor ambulance advantage was
taken of the fact that the General Motors Truck Co., of Pontiac, Mich., had
profited by the lessons learned on the Mexican border in 1916, where light
ambulances had quickly perished, and had earnestly endeavored to remedy the
defects developed in their chassis. They had succeeded, meanwhile, in
producing a much improved vehicle — a new %-ton truck chassis, which was
called model 16. ' The drawings and specifications of this vehicle were
submitted to the Medical Department ambulance board on April 18, 1917,
for consideration. They were found to be satisfactory. As the company
promised prompt delivery, in quantity, the Surgeon General decided to adopt
this model as the standard for all motor ambulances to be used in our Army.

At the request of the Surgeon General the Secretary of War, on April 14,
1917, authorized the purchase of 200 motor ambulance chassis from funds then
available to the Medical Department. 2 Accordingly, contract was made
April 25, 1917, with the General Motors Truck Co. for 89 model 15 chassis at
$995 each and 111 model 16 chassis at $1,1 17. 3 Delivery of the model 15
chassis was completed by July 5, 1918. 4 Shipment of these chassis was made
to the Piichs-Marbaker Co.'s plant in Philadelphia, Pa., for the mounting of
bodies made by that company on a previous contract, and they were held there in
storage. 5 Delivery of the model 16 chassis began in August and was completed
on the 17th of that month. 4

A contract for 2,000 chassis, model 16, %-ton, at $1,203.04 each, was made
with the General Motors Truck Co. June 14, 1917. 6 It was stipulated in the
contract that deliveries should begin not later than July 20, 1917, and that
construction should proceed at such a rate that 1,000 chassis would be ready
for shipment by September 1, 1917. The remaining 1,000 were to be shipped
by September 25, 1917. A supplemental contract added 2,000 heaters, at $1.56
each. The Government agreed to assist the contractor as much as practicable
in securing the needed materials.

"Except Ford ambulances. These were manufactured primarily for the U. S. Army ambulance service for service
with the French Army, and are considered separately in Chap. XXIII.

30663—28 22 337

338

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

IMPROVEMENTS

In December, 1917, a conference was held in Washington between repre-
sentatives of a number of the best known spring makers and representatives of
the Medical Department for the purpose of designing an ambulance spring
with easier riding qualities than the one previously furnished. 7 Work on this
subject had already been undertaken independently by the Medical Depart-
ment ambulance inspector at Pontiac, Mich. 8 A spring with greatly improved
riding cpjalities was developed at this conference and incorporated in the ambu-
lance on the new contract. 8 The new spring, while conforming in a general
way in size and appearance to the one in use, was made of better steel and was
provided with a short stiff rebound leaf placed above the main leaf of the
spring. In addition, Gabriel snubbers were added.

Fig. 15.— G. M. C. chassis, model '16

The chassis, under the contract of March 3, 1918, and its supplemental
agreements, had many improvements over those on the former contracts, good
as they were thought to be. The majority of the changes and improvements
are described in the following agreement of December 23, 1917, between repre-
sentatives of the General Motors Truck Co. and those of the Surgeon General's
Office: 9

1. Springs. — The springs to be used on the new order of chassis are to be those laid
down or covered by the approved specifications of the Medical Department, which will be
those decided on by the committee present at the recent conference on springs.

2. Starting device. — The motor must be made to start satisfactorily. At present the
starting of the engine is very unsatisfactory, and the General Motors Co. is to work in coop-
eration with the Surgeon General's Office to better the starting of the engine. Mr. Whitton

MOTOIi VEHICLES 339

is to take the initiative and to work in conjunction with Captain Browne to remedy the
difficulty. There is to be no charge added to the price agreed upon for this work. This
work must not l>e delayed, but improvement must be made immediately.

3. Spark and throttle. — The spark lever and the throttle, and the sector from which
they move, are to be marked so as to distinguish between the spark lever and the throttle, and
to indicate the direction of the spark advance and also when the throttle is open and when
closed. These improvements are to be made to the approval of the Surgeon General's
representative, and a sample sent to the Surgeon General's Office.

4. Governors. — The same governor as is being used — i. e., the Monarch — is to be used
on the chassis under the new contract. Part of the starting trouble is due to the governor.
A new intake elbow may help to solve the difficulty.

5. Gasoline tank attachment. — The gasoline tank is to continue to be attached to the
body. If it were attached to the chassis, it would render it difficult to remove the bodies
for repairs and would also weaken the support.

6. Tire irons. — The sample tire irons submitted are worthless. They were designed on
35-inch circle and should have been dimensioned to a nonskid tread tire. The words "fit
to nonskid tire " should be put on the cut on direction sheet. Two sets of the new tire irons
are to go with each chassis, one to be placed on either side of the ambulance. They are to
be shipped in a box with the chassis. The General Motors Truck Co. is to receive $5.30 for
each extra set of tire irons. Without a written order, the General Motors Co. is advised to
order 1,000 sets of tire irons. A supplementary contract for these and probably more will
be made within a few weeks. The Surgeon General's Office will need at least 1,000 sets for
the overseas shipments which have gone, and at least 1,000 additional sets, so the General
Motors Co. will be safe in anticipating the contract by ordering immediately 1,000 sets.

7. Front wheels. — Front wheels of the chassis under new contract are to be the same
as specified under the former contract. A radial, self-contained bearing would be an
improvement.

8. Rims.— The rims for the chassis under new contract are to be the same as those
specified under the old contract.

9. Transmission lever ball. — The ball on the gear shift lever on the new chassis is to be
metal instead of hard rubber to prevent breakage. It is to be forged on, but until a reason-
able opportunity is given the General Motors Co. to change the die for the lever, it may be
screwed on and fastened with a pin. Before adoption, it must receive the approval of the
representative of the Medical Department at the factory.

10. Inspection, testing, and procedure at the factory. — Inspection and test must be made
at the direction and to the approval of the representative of the Surgeon General's Office at
the General Motor Truck Co's. factory. In order to check overseas shipments, inspection
thereof may be conducted as follows: This representative, or one of his men, may take out
at random any machine ready boxed for shipment, have it placed in a clear space selected
by the Surgeon General 's representative, unpacked according to his directions, set up accord-
ing to his directions for his inspection. When it receives his approval, it is to be taken
apart and reboxed. If the chassis inspected in this manner is found to be defective, more
frequent examination will be necessary, and if many imperfectly packed machines are found,
the Surgeon General's representative may require every box to be opened.

11. Dash choke control.— A dash choke control was discussed as a probable addition to
the chassis under the new contract, but it was decided not to install it, as with such choke
control the ordinary driver floods the cylinder with gasoline which destroys the effect of the
oil and adds to the wear of the cylinders.

12. Storage. — The Surgeon General's representative stated that the Medical Depart-
ment desires the General Motors Co. to provide for a maximum storage capacity for 500
chassis for three months. The representative of the General Motors Co. stated that the
company could not do this without building additional sheds, and that this would make it
necessary for them to add to the contract price named. It was finally agreed that without
extra charge the General Motors Co. will store not to exceed 200 chassis for a period not to
exceed three months.

340 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

13. Quantity production. — The representatives of the General Motors Co. stated that
the company could easily produce 200 chassis every month, including February. If desired
by the Surgeon General's Office, the company can produce 500 chassis per month. It was
finally agreed that the company is to produce and deliver 400 chassis in February, 400 in
March, and 200 in April, on or before the 15th of the month. It was understood that the
delivery need not be uniform daily.

14. The total number ordered. — The total number of chassis to be covered by the contract
is to be 1,000, with an option given to the Surgeon General's Office of ordering an additional
500 or 1,000 to be delivered at the rate of 400 a month. This option is to be exercised on
or before March 25, and the company agrees to build any extra chassis ordered under this
option at the same price as specified for the 1,000 covered by the contract, plus any actual
increase in cost occasioned by necessary advances in the price paid by the company for the
materials and labor used in the production of the chassis ordered. Any such advances are
to be proved to the commanding officer and approved by him. The nricc under contract is
to be $1,224 per chassis. If storage of the chassis is made on wheels, the Surgeon General's
Office is to arrange for inspection and payment before the machines are boxed and shipped.
The company is to box and load on cars the stored machines whenever ordered to do so by
the Surgeon General's Office, without extra charge.

15. Rear fender irons. — The rear fender irons of the present chassis are too short and the
body now bottoms frequently in the fenders. The new contract is to provide for longer
fender irons made so as to raise the fenders toward the top of the body.

16. Heaters. — The heaters for the ambulances are to be furnished by the Surgeon
General's Office, and the General Motors Co. is to attach them to the chassis. The labor
of attaching that part of the heater attachment which fastens on the chas is is to be done
by the company without extra charge, and any materials not furnished with the heater and
required to be used in fastening the same to the chassis are to be furnished by the company
without extra charge. The heaters are to be boxed with the chassis without extra charge.

17. The company is to send a trained man or men to Louisville, or to any other place
in this country where serious difficulties and emergencies in connection with the operation of
their trucks purchased by the Medical Department arise, to assist in the solution of the same.
The decision as to the necessity for such action is to rest entirely with the Surgeon General's
Office.

18. Bond. — If the contract requires a bond to be given by the company, the price of the
bond is to be added to the contract.

19. War excise tax. — The 3 per cent war excise tax on the value of each motor vehicle
sold and any increase thereof levied on the sales covered by this contract is to be added to
the price hereinbefore named.

20. Insurance. — The company is to insure the stored chassis and to provide a watchman
to patrol the storehouse. The Government is to reimburse the company for the premiums
on this insurance and for the wages of the watchman.

21. Cancellation claims. — The cancellation clause in the regular contract form is to be
stricken out.

22. Improved design and equipment. — Any desired additions to equipment, over and above
those specified, are to be made by the company on the order of the Surgeon General's Office,
and the company is to receive, in addition to the compensation hereinbefore named, the cost
of such addition plus 10 per cent thereof.

23. Acceleration of deliveries. — The company agrees to do everything in its power, at the
direction of the Surgeon General's Office, to force deliveries. The order must be gotten out
even though getting it out on time adds to the expense of production by the company.

24. Extra tires. — It is understood that there are to be no extra tires furnished with the
chassis.

25. Floor board. — The floor board is to be removable.

MODEL AA CHASSIS

With a view of standardizing the light %-ton truck and increasing the
range of facilities for its manufacture, the Quartermaster General had four
sample chassis built according to a standard design. They were built at four

MOTOR VEHICLES 341

different automobile factories. The Quartermaster General advised the
Surgeon General in December, 1917, that this chassis would be ready for test
about January 15 and that it was his intention to turn one of them over to the
Medical Department for test and experiment if that department desired it.
It was expected that the Medical Department would use a large number
of such a chassis and should have an opportunity to experiment with it before
it went into production. It was suggested that a suitable body be prepared
in time to be installed on the chassis at the factory. This standard chassis
was designated model AA. 10 By the time this standard AA chassis was
available for delivery the new A A body had been completed and was ready
for mounting. The chassis was given a careful, thorough, and extensive test
by the personnel of the Medical Department experimental station in Wash-
ington. The conclusions reached with regard to this sample AA chassis are
contained in the following extract from a report made to the Acting Quarter-
master General, March 25, 1918 :"

In general, information is forwarded that, at the time when original conferences upon
this AA chassis were held, a schedule for experimental work, and for subsequent quantity
production, as well as the original designs laid down, were such as to appeal to the Medical
Department for a possible use in connection with motor ambulance service.

The time already lost, and the apparent impossibility of getting a satisfactory design
in the quantity production for some months yet, together with changes in design which
have been made, and which are of critical importance to the Medical Department, when
consideration is made of interchangeability of chassis parts already provided in large
quantities, and ambulance bodies already produced and under contract for covering
practically the entire medical requirement for the next year — all have critical bearing
upon the advisability of the Medical Department considering the change over to this
chassis at such time as production is begun.

Information is forwarded that in the original conferences, at which technical automo-
bile representatives of the various departments were present, the importance was appreciated
of the fact that the Medical Department would perhaps be the largest user of this chassis,
and that interchangeability of critical chassis parts, and of bodies for this chassis, were
of prime importance. Since the designs were begun, at least four gentlemen have had active
executive direction of this work, and, without further conferences or close personal cooperation,
it is quite natural that the original considerations which were critical in determining certain
important features have been overlooked in subsequent development.

The following specific points deserve consideration:

(1) The latest proposal for spring dimensions, while no doubt making for easier riding
qualities, is regarded as unnecessary, even for first-class ambulance service. The lack of
interchangeability of springs upon this job and the present ambulance job means that the
entire spring supply being carried in spare parts "B" equipment with each ambulance
company, and already shipped overseas, must be applicable to the new chassis, necessitating
a complete duplication of all spring supply.

(2) The latest proposal of the use of 36 by 6 tires, front and rear, may cause
interference with both old and new design ambulance bodies, and will at least necessitate
two complete stocks of tires. No consultation has been had on this change, but information
comes indirectly that the change is made because of tires already carried overseas by the
Signal Corps, and because certain tire manufacturers made this recommendation.
Information is forwarded that the Medical Department regards the matter of critical
importance, in view of the fact that this department already has thousands of spare tires
provided in this country and overseas of the original 35 by 5 size, that we have had assurances
from tire manufacturers of satisfactory mileage, and already have sufficient data to show
excellent results.

342 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(3) Information comes indirectly to this department that the use of radius rods and
torque tube, which was requested by the various War Department representatives at the
original conferences, has been discarded in favor of the Hotchkiss drive, which was discussed
pro and con at these conferences and not approved. In order to check the opinion of the
engineers of the Medical Department, within the last three months this department has
taken this matter up personally with four of the most prominent engineers in the United
States, all of whom have had extensive experience with touring car and pleasure car
Hotchkiss drive designs, as well as the recommended radius rod and torque tube construction,
and whose opinion, therefore, can be given weight, with the following result: Three of these
engineers recommend the use of the radius rods and torque tube, feeling that, for war
service, this construction is as least as good as any possible Hotchkiss drive construction,
and all three being of the opinion that their use will provide an additional safety factor.
One felt that a Hotchkiss drive might be designed for a truck which would equal the design
using radius rods and torque tube.

(4) The question is raised at this time, whether, since the Medical Department has already
in service, or in immediate production, 3, 100 of these %-ton chassis, and has in contemplation
the immediate ordering of 1,000 or 2,000 more, and since it is understood that there are
practically no jobs of this type in the service of the other departments, in quantity —
whether it would not be possible to adopt this type as the standard for the various depart-
ments which now contemplate limited use of the same. Information is forwarded that, after
severe winter service at the various camps, this chassis has been found to be mainly satis-
factory, and inasmuch as it is only an assembled job at best, containing a combination of
the various best units assembled by the General Motors Truck Co. at their Pontiac factory,
its manufacture in quantities such as to cover the needs of the various departments, could
readily be undertaken by any companies in position to handle the AA job. This question is
raised in the full realization of the seriousness of the problem confronting the Medical
Department in changing horses at this time directly in the middle of the stream, and it is
not made without appreciating the detail changes in the design worked up for the AA
chassis, which would be of prime consideration if the use of this type of chassis in the serv-
ice were just being begun.

(5) The tests already conducted upon the AA chassis, by engineers in charge of motor
ambulance work for the Medical Department, have developed the following suggestions,
which are forwarded:

****** *

(a) Grease leaks have developed in the rear right wheel, due to defective packing. (6)
The support of the complete steering column is not sufficiently rigid, (c) Maximum gov-
ernor's Sliced required for ambulance service is 20 miles per hour, (d) Starting is defective,
(e) Radiator tubes vibrate critically at about 25 miles per hour in such way as to promise
serious consequences. (/) Clutch and break pedals are crowded too close to steering col-
umn, (g) Gasoline tank drain pet cock located directly above exhaust pipe, (h) Grease
cups on springs, etc., are quickly broken, and the cover springs eaily^ torn off and covers
lost, (i) The clutch spring tension is too heavy for anything like continuous operation, (j)
The starting crank is too long, causing interference when cranking, (k) The filler cap on
radiator is too much involved. A more simple method of designing is recommended. (I)
The oil gauge location on the motor is inaccessible, (m) The running boards should be
dropped 1J^ inches to permit carrying of necessary ambulance first-aid and food boxes.
The running board lower tire carrier can be made 1J^ inches less in depth, so that ground
clearance at this point remains the same, (n) A deeper frame section or frame reinforcement
on this job is recommended, (o) Spring brackets, front and rear, have objectionable off-
sets and weak sections, (p) The gear shift from "first" to "low'' is abnormal, due to the
low step between these two gears. While agreeing that a high gear ratio is desirable, it is
believed that the interval between shifts should be changed, (q) Riding qualities of the
rear end have been quite disappointing, not comparing with the results of the old G. M. C-
chassis for the Medical Department with the same springs. Careful study of the proportion-
ing and structure of the radius rods, torque tube, rear springs, and rear axle might explain
the trouble, but the Medical Department has not yet undertaken the same.

MOTOR VEHICLES 343

Extensive and comprehensive tests of the %-ton chassis of different makes
and designs, including; the AA and the General Motors Co. chassis, were made
during the late spring of 1918. As a result of these tests, it was decided to
adopt the General Motors Co. model 16 design as the standard AA truck.
This was done in order that other manufacturers might he put upon the work.
Inasmuch as the purchase of all motor chassis had devolved meanwhile upon
the Motor Transport Service, that service planned to let contracts on July 27,
1918, for 5,000 AA chassis in addition to those already ordered from the Gen-
eral Motors Truck Co. It was intended to place these contracts with at least
three other companies. 12 This number was increased later to 7,200 distributed
among 13 factories. 13 It appears, however, that none of these factories came
into production before the cessation of hostilities and all the contracts were
canceled. 13 "While the majority of these chassis were intended for use by the
Quartermaster Corps, a part of them were intended to meet increased ambulance
requirements.

NEW CONTRACTS

GENERAL MOTORS TRUCK COMPANY

The estimated requirements of the Medical Department for motor ambu-
lances during the first year of the World War, prepared about the time of our
entry into the conflict, were 4,500 such vehicles. This number was based on
an estimate of 70 ambulances per division from front to rear, allowing 25 per
cent additional for replacements and providing extras for emergencies. The
estimate included ambulances for three motorized ambulance companies with
each division, for an evacuation ambulance convoy for each two divisions, and
for the ambulances needed at base and general hospitals both in the line of
communications and in the home territory. By the end of 1917 a more ade-
quate conception of the military situation and its resultant needs was had by
the War Department. The strength of the Army was being rapidly augmented.
To meet the ambulance needs of this expansion it early became evident that
motor ambulances would be required in ever-increasing number. The original
estimates were revised in November, 1917, and again in January, 1918. u The
latter were the more comprehensive. A summary of the machines previously
purchased, available under existing contracts, and those required to be produced
June 30, 1919, 14 appears below. It will be seen that the production of chassis
was the chief factor in determining the number of motor ambulances in the
field.

Estimates covering United States standard ambulances required by the Medical Department,

United Stales Army

CHASSIS

Estimated total ambulances by June 30, 1918 4,3.50

Delivered or contracted for:

Mar. 15, 1916, Buick 6

June 21, 1916, White 12

July 7, 1916, White 39

July 11, 1916, Service 13

July 25, 1916, Service 39

344 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Delivered or contracted for — Continued.

Mar. 30, 1916, G. M. C. 15 10

June 16, 1916, G. M. C. 15 12

July 3, 1916, G. M. C. 15 65

Apr. 25, 1917, G. M. C. 15 89

Apr. 25, 1917, G. M. C. 16 111

June 14, 1917, G. M. C. 16 2, 000

Total 2,396 2,400

Additional deliveries and contracts proposed:

Feb. 1, 1918, G. M. C. 16 (200 per month) 1, 000

April, May, June, 1918, AA or G. M. C. 16 950

Total 1, 950

4,350

Estimated total ambulances by Dec. 31, 1918 6, 000

Total during period 1,650

Additional deliveries and contracts proposed: AA (6 months, at 275 per

month) 1, 650

Estimated total ambulances by June 30, 1919 7, 000

Total during period 1,000

Additional deliveries and contracts proposed: A A (6 months, at 167 per

month) 1, 000

BODIES

Delivered or contracted for:

Mar. 15, 1916, Rich-Mar 6

Apr. 4, 1916, Rich-Mar 10

June 1, 1916, Rich-Mar 12

June 19, 1916, Rich-Mar ,. 12

July 10, 1916, Rich-Mar 57

July 25, 1916, Rich-Mar 75

July 1, 1916, J. G. Brill 39

Aug. 29, 1916, Service 39

July 26, 1916, Service 3

Mar. 13, 1917, Babcoek 500

June 13, 1917, Babcoek 2,500

3, 253

Additional deliveries and contracts proposed:

March, April, May, June, 1918, AA knock-down body (4 months, at 275 per

month) i, 100

4,353

1918, AA knock-down body (6 months, at 275 per month) 1 7 650

1919, AA knock-down body (6 months, at 167 per month) 1, 000

The original contracts of April 25, 1917, and June 14, 1917, with the
General Motors Truck Co. for 200 and 2,000 chassis, respectively, were com-
pleted before March 15, 1918. I5 During the production of these chassis a
number of minor changes and improvements in design had been made, but
more were needed. The General Motors Truck Co. was advised in November,
1917, that if satisfactory changes in several details of design and satisfactory
procedure, production, and storage agreements could be reached, an order for
an additional 1,000 ambulance chassis would be given it. 16 Satisfactory
agreement having been reached, a contract was entered into February 16, 1918,

MOTOR VEHICLES 345

for 1,000 chassis with option on part of the Government to increase that num-
ber to 3,700. 17 A production rate of 200 to 500 chassis per month was stipulated.
The price to be paid for the first 1,000 chassis was $1,224 per chassis. The
contract contained a provision for an increase in price to cover Federal taxes
and increases in cost of materials and labor on all orders in excess of the 1,000
chassis. The option to increase the number of chassis was exercised by the
Government. An order for 1,700 chassis under this option was placed in April,
1918, 18 and a supplemental agreement was entered into July 25, 1918, to cover
the order. 17 A second order for the remaining 1,000 chassis was placed with
the company in June, 1918, l9 but this order does not appear to have been
covered by a supplemental agreement. The prices paid on these orders were
800 at $1,277.92, 900 at $1,286.17, and 1,000 at $1,311.89 plus 3 per cent war tax.

PRODUCTION

Troubles with motors and transmissions had been experienced under former
contracts, resulting in annoying delays. The same complaint continued during
the early days of production under the new contract. Difficulties in assembly
developed in the factory and required drastic action on the part of the Medical
Department representative at the factories. Delays were encountered in
receiving parts from subsidiary manufacturers. 20 Production under the new
contract did not begin until the week of April 20, 1918. 21 Defects in the
motors being received, even then, retarded production. 20 Production on the
new contract and its two increases were as follows: April, 377; May, 361 ; June,
427; July, 342; August, 509; September, 923; October, 761. Total 3,700. 22

For various reasons the stipulated rate of production could not be main-
tained. The rate of production actually accomplished was as follows: August
7 to September 10, 1917, 208; September 11 to October 1, 492; October 2 to
November 3, 563; November 5 to 28, 202; November 30, 1917, to January 3,
1918, 259; January 4 to 19, 103; February 2 to 28, 104; March 1 to 16, 74;

total, 2,000. 23

STORAGE PENDING DISTRIBUTION

One of the difficulties encountered in ambulance production was that of
storage pending distribution. Chassis boxed or standing are bulky units and
require storage out of the ordinary. The huge boxes of the boxed chassis,
weighing 4,000 pounds, could be handled only by power-operated machinery.
Either overhead cranes or steam derricks were required for the purpose.

Early in September, 1917, the plant of the General Motors Truck Co.
became congested with assembled chassis. 24 The motor ambulance supply
depot was also crowded with unassembled vehicles and demanded cessation of
shipments. There were 127 carloads of material on the tracks in Louisville
and many more enroute. 25 Tonnage for overseas shipments could not be had.
Relief of some sort from this acute congestion was necessary. Storage must
be found.

Pontiac, Detroit, and adjacent territory as far as Buffalo, N. Y., were
canvassed for storage facilities, but no covered storage at a reasonable rate
could be found. 26 It was finallv decided to box all chassis in excess of the 900

346

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

required by the ambulance depot and store them in the open protected by tar
paper and canvas. Space for this purpose was found at Watertown, N. Y., in
the plant of the H. H. Babcock Co. That company agreed to receive, unload,
store, and reload the boxed chassis at $5 each, plus the cost of insurance. 26

Ambulance shipments overseas were to be made at the rate of 120 com-
pleted ambulances per month. Such a schedule necessitated the storage of
approximately 600 boxed chassis. It was decided to send that number to
Watertown. Arrangements accordingly were made October 1, 1917. 27 Ship-
ments thereto began October 6, 1917, with 13 carloads of 6 chassis each. 28 By
the end of the month 252 chassis had been shipped. 29 By the end of October,
1918, the congestion both at the General Motors Truck Co. plant and at the

Fio. 16.— This and Figure 17 show a method of boxing G. M. C. chassis for shipment

ambulance supply depot had been cleared. Shipments to Louisville and over-
seas increased and production of chassis fell off. No further storage difficulties
were experienced. By the end of January, 1918, 516 chassis had been forwarded,
and shipment ceased. 30

FACTORY SHIPMENTS OF BOXED CHASSIS

The first lot shipped from the factory under the February, 1918, contract
consisted of 96 chassis and went forward April 27, 1918. Subsequent shipments
on this contract, so far as can be determined from records available, were as
follows: April, 112; May, 381; June, 395; July, 199; August, 578; September
(first 10 days), 302. This gives a total shipment of 1,967 chassis, of which

MOTOR VEHICLES

347

1,828 went to ports of embarkation. The remaining 139 chassis were shipped
for domestic use. 31

A report from the office of the chief of embarkation service, November 13,
1918, indicated that approximately 1,395 General Motors Co. chassis were at
ports of embarkation, 243 were in transit, and 311 had been released for
shipment but not placed in transit. 32 This would indicate that approximately
1,700 of the 3,700 chassis on these contracts actually found their way to
France.

Of the number of chassis produced under the supplemental contracts of
April 25, 1917, and June 14, 1918, 36 of the model 15 and 1,094 33 of the model 1 6,
boxed for export, were forwarded to ports of embarkation, or a total of 1,130.

Fig. 17

It would appear, therefore, that only about 2,830 boxed chassis reached France.
It is not known how many standing ambulances were shipped, but it is believed
that their numbers were not great.

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from the sales manager, General Motors Truck Co., Pontiac, Mich., to Maj.

R. E. Noble, M. C, chairman, motor ambulance board, April 11, 1917. Subject:
Model 16 %-ton chassis. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 153,155.-30.

(2) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, April 7, 1917. Subject:

Purchase of G. M. C. chassis, and the First Indorsement thereon, April 14, 1917.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 11,220.-190.

348 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(3) Contract between Lieut. Col. C. R. Darnall, M. C, and the General Motors Truck

Co., April 25, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor
Transport Contracts, 13,420-F.

(4) Schedule of deliveries attached to contract of April 25, 1917, with the General Motors

Truck Co. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport
Contract, 13,420-F.

(5) Correspondence between the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Field Medical

Supply Depot, Washington, D. C, and the Quartermaster General, September 21,
1916-October 18, 1916. Subject: Storage of motor ambulance bodies. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 11,220.-86.-86-1.

(6) Contract between Lieut. Col. C. R. Darnall, M. C, and the General Motors Truck

Co., for 2,000 chassis, dated June 14, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. O., Motor Transport Contracts, 285.

(7) Report of the activities of the motor ambulance section of the Surgeon General's

Office, June 28, 1918, unsigned. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
490 Memo.
310

(8) Letter from the officer in charge, Sanitary Corps, N. A., General Motors Truck Co.

Plant, Pontiac, Mich., to the Surgeon General, December 17, 1917. Subject: Springs.

_ .. ~. , „ ,_.... _ _. 511-570 M. A. P.

On file, finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — — ^ — —

(9) Report of conference on the purchase of G. M. C. chassis for ambulances, December 23,

1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ,.1 — '-

(10) Letter from the Quartermaster General, to Major Fishleigh, Motor Car Department,

Medical Corps, U. S. A., December 4, 1917. Subject: Medical body for AA truck.

„,.,„. , „ . _,. . . _ _, _ 750-59 4 Q. M. G.
On file Finance and Supply Division S. G. O., ^?

(11) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Quartermaster General of the Army, March

25, 1918. Subject: AA chassis. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
7 50-594 Q. M. G.
110

(12) Letter from Statistics Branch, General Staff, to Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, July 15, 1918.

Subject: Synopsis of contracts for motor vehicles. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., jtj — ■

(13) America's Munitions, 1917-18. Government Printing Cffice, 1919, 502.

(14) Estimates covering U. S. standard ambulances required by the Medical Department,

U. S. Army, January 20, 1918, by Maj. Walter T. Fishleigh, Sanitary Corps, N. A.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport Estimates.

(15) Weekly report from the commanding officer, Sanitary Corps, N. A., General Motors

Truck Co., to the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, March 11, 1918. On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., Pontiac Weekly Reports, T^a~~ — '"

(16) Letter from the Surgeon General to Capt. A. B. Browne, Sanitary Corps, N. A., Pontiac,

Mich., November 24, 1917. Subject; Additional model, 16 orders. On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., — R ~ ■

(17) Contract of February 16, 1918, between Maj. John P.Fletcher, M. C, and the General

Motors Truck Co., Pontiac, Mich., for 1, 000 model 16 G. M. C. chassis. On file,
Miscellaneous Section, Finance Department, S. G. O.

(18) Memorandum from Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, Sanitary Corps, N. A., to Col. Edwin P.

Wolfe, M. C, April 10, 1918. Subject: Additional G. M. C. ambulance chassis. On

c , „. , c , t->- • • ci /-. ^ 490 memo,

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., „_y -■

MOTOR VEHICLES 349

(19) Letter from the Surgeon General to Maj. J. P. Fletcher, M. C, Louisville, Ky., June

5, 1918. Subject: Increase of ambulance chassis order. On file, Finance and Supply

_.. . . q n n 713-440
Division, S. G. O., — „-^

(20) Weekly reports from commanding officer, Sanitary Corps, N. A., General Motors

Truck Co., to the Surgeon General for the weeks ending March 11, 1918, to June
10, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Pontiac Weekly Reports,
101 A . B. B.
178
<21) Weekly report of April 22, 1918, from the commanding officer, Sanitary Corps, Pontiac,
Mich., to the Surgeon General. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,

Pontiac Weekly Reports, vko~ 1 — '■

1 /o

(22) Letter from the General Motors Truck Co., by W. F. Maybury, to the Surgeon General,

U. S. Army, July 26, 1918. Subject: Ambulance chassis production. On file,
Record Room, S. G. ()., 451.8-1.

(23) Schedule of deliveries attached to contract of June 14, 1917, with the General Motors

Truck Co. for 2,000 model 16 chassis. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G.
O., Motor Transport Contracts, 285.
<24) Telegram from the General Motors Truck Co., Pontiac, Mich., to the Surgeon General,
September 11, 1917, for relief from congestion of assembled chassis in factory. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - Q — •

<25) Letter from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville

Ky., to Lieut. Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., September 15, 1917. Subject:

713-440
Excess chassis shipments. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., js

<26) Telegram from Capt, A. B. Browne, Sanitary Corps, to Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, Sanitary
Corps, S. G. O., September 28, 1917. Subject: Storage of chassis. On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., 5

{27) Letter from the H. H. Babcock Co., to the Quartermaster, Eastern Department, Octo-
ber 1, 1917, relative to storage of boxed chassis. On file, Finance and Supply

„. . . _ „ „ 45-H. H. B.
Division, S. G. O., ^

(28) Letter from Capt. A. B. Browne, Sanitary Corps, Pontiac, Mich., to the Surgeon

General, October 13, 1917. Subject: Weekly report. On file, Finance and Supply

tv . . „ „ ~ 101-A. B. B.

Division, S. G. O., T =^

17o

(29) Letter from the officer in charge, General Motors Truck Co. Plant, Pontiac, Mich., to

the Surgeon General, October 29, 1917. Subject: Weekly report. On file, Finance

and Supplv Division, S. G. O., ' — '-■

178

(30) Letter from the officer in charge, Sanitary Corps, N. A., General Motors Truck Co.

Plant, Pontiac, Mich., to the Surgeon General, January 28, 1918. Subject: Weekly

report. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., * — -.

(31) Letters from the commanding officer, Sanitary Corps, Pontiac, Mich., during the

period April 22, 1918, to September 11, 1918, to the Surgeon General and to the
Motor Transport Corps, District Officer, Detroit, Mich. Subject: Weekly reports,
and trimonthlv reports. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Pontiac

Reports, lOi^AB:.

350 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(32) Memorandum for Colonel Wolfe from Capt. F. J. Murray, Sanitary Corps, November

13, 1918. Subject: G. M. C. situation. On file, Finance and Supply Division,.

s G 750-519 M. T. C.
• • ■> 17

(33) Letter from the commanding officer, Sanitary Corps, General Motors Truck Co.

Plant, April 15, 1918, to the Surgeon General, Subject: Weekly report. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Pontiac Weekly Reports, — — - ' B - B - .

CHAPTER XXII

THE AMBULANCE BODY
MODEL B

The United States standard closed motor ambulance, body model B, 1917,
was mounted upon a %-ton standard chassis. The body was inclosed front,
sides, and top, and carried a canvas curtain, a tail gate, and a step at the rear.

The capacity of the ambulance, in addition to driver and orderly riding on
the front seat, was 8 patients sitting, or 4 recumbent on litters, or 4 patients
sitting and 2 recumbent.

The ambulance was fitted with two hinged upholstered seats, which, when
not used as such, were folded over into the center of the body to form a deck
upon which the lower litters were carried. Each of the upper litters was carried
at the front end in two spring-supported strap carriers, and at the rear by one
spring-supported strap and one spring-supported hook, swiveled upon the rear
center post. These general features, together with certain improvements refer-
red to at greater length below, constituted model B.

The ambulance bodies built for the Government in 1916 represented the
best design submitted to the ambulance board at the time of their purchase.
They were not without defects, however, and the board continued its investi-
gations. Early in January, 1917, there were submitted to the board by a
representative of the H. H. Babcock Co., of Watertown, N. Y., manufacturers
of commercial truck and delivery bodies, photographs and specifications of a
sample ambulance body constructed by that company. 1 The description of
this body indicated that it had sufficient merits to justify its purchase. After
an examination and tests of the body the board was thoroughly convinced that
it represented the best type of construction for ambulance bodies which could
be secured and was far superior to any design offered up to that time. 1 It
surpassed all other designs in strength, rigidity, lightness, ease of repair,
simplicity of construction, and qualities of material and workmanship. The
company agreed to make any minor changes the Government might require.
On the request of the Surgeon General and representation of the difficulties
incident to the procurement of such bodies, authority for the purchase of 500
was granted by the Secretary of War, March 7, 1917. 1 A contract, accordingly,
was made with the H. H. Babcock Co., March 13, 1917, for 500 ambulance
bodies at $330, in which the contractor undertook to store the bodies until
needed by the Government and to deliver 100 within 70 days and 100 per
month thereafter until the contract was completed. 2 Deliveries were made,
8 in May, 174 in June, 61 in July, 205 in August, and 52 in September. 2

During the life of this contract no inspector or other representative of the
Medical Department was stationed at the Babcock plant. Inspections were

351

352

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

made by members of the ambulance board ordered to Watertown, N. Y., for
that purpose as the work progressed and the contractor requested. The first
of these inspections was made April 30 and May 1,1917. At that time all the
material required to fill the contract was on hand or en route. The material in
the rough and 24 bodies in process of construction were inspected. The work
was done b.y skilled workmen in a high-class manner. The plant covered 123^
acres, was provided with its own water power, and had a force of 500 employees,
which could be increased if necessary. 3

The plant was prepared to complete 10 bodies per day, which could be
increased to 20 per day with little difficulty. If needed the output could be

Fig. 18.— G. M. C. ambulance, model '16, open type

increased to 30 per day by discontinuing commercial business. The contractor
proposed to have spare parts of the bodies numbered and catalogued so that
any part could be replaced if required. 3 Subsequent inspections were made in
the same manner. A permanent inspector was sent from the Surgeon General's
Office to the factory in the latter part of September, 1917, and remained there
until the contracts of the Babcock Co. with the Medical Department had
been completed. 4

Another contract with the Babcock Co. was entered into June 13, 1917, for
2,308 standard ambulance bodies and 192 spare parts or repair bodies. 5 The
price to be paid for these bodies was $352.50 completely assembled and painted,
$332.50 unassembled and primed but not painted, and $340 unassembled, primed,
and crated for export. This contract called for the delivery of 1,000 bodies by
September 1, 1917, and the balance by November 15, 1917. However, only 235

MOTOR VEHICLES

353

bodies were delivered by September 1, and the contract was not fully completed
until May 11, 1918. 6 This delay caused no inconvenience except for a short
time for spare parts bodies. At no time during the life of this contract was
there an actual shortage of bodies.

A number of changes were made in the body and its appurtances after it
was approved. These were covered by supplemental contracts. They included
litter trolleys, Vehisote panels for sides and front to inclose the body, storm
aprons, and various minor changes. 5 The total added cost of these changes
amounted to $55.92 on the bodies on which they were made.

Fig. 19.— Q M. C. ambulance, model, 16, closed type

IMPROVEMENTS

TROLLEY DEVICE FOR UPPER LITTERS

The animal-drawn ambulance had been in use so long and had been improved
so often that the body of that vehicle may be said to have reached its ultimate
developement by 1917. It was but natural that all the better features of this
ambulance body should be incorporated in the one now planned. The spring
hangers for the upper litters, having proved a great comfort for patients, were
continued in the motor vehicles. But, in loading the upper berths of the
animal-drawn ambulance it had been necessary for one man to climb into the
ambulance and place the front handles of the litter in the hangers. These
hangers were attached, one to the bow and the other to the center post, front
and rear. Even in the open (curtained) type of motor ambulance body
this was a slow and inconvenient procedure. In the closed type it was imprac-
ticable. These difficulties led to the development of trolleys on which the
30663—28^—23

354 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

front hangers could run to the rear and hack. The bars for these trolleys or
tracks at first were placed horizontal; but later were so placed that the rear
end was somewhat lower than the front. This arrangement permitted the
hanger to gravitate to the rear, when not in use, where it would always be ready
for loading. This slope of the trolley bar brought the line of thrust, in pushing
the litter forward, more nearly parallel with the track. It resulted in less fric-
tion and in greater ease in loading. An entirely suitable trolley-carrying device
for the front hangers was finally developed. Metal hoops were placed on the
front central upright post, through which the litter handles passed to prevent
side sway of the litter.

CHANNELS FOR LOWER LITTERS

The lower litters were carried on a platform, formed by the seats and com-
partment along the inside of each of the side walls of the ambulance. The
hinged seats were inverted to form this platform when used for recumbent
patients. These hinged seats, when inverted, rested on metal stops attached
at the proper level to front and rear upright center posts. The inner shoes of
the litter ran in a channel iron of suitable size attached to the under surface of
the hinged seat. This channel prevented the lower litters from slipping side-
wise. The front end of the body and the tail gate prevented fore and aft
motion.

SIDE AND FRONT OPENINGS

The bodies of some of the foreign ambulances were wide enough to provide
a passageway in the center, between the two rows of litters. This was for the
convenience of the attendants in waiting on patients. The ambulance board,
however, concluded that little attention could be given to patients when the
ambulance was in motion over ordinary roads, and that the extra width offered
no compensating advantages. If dressings had to be adjusted the ambulance
must come to a stop. It was thought better policy to take extra precautions
in applying the dressings in the first place. In the few cases where such atten-
tion was necessary it was advisable to remove the patient from the ambulance
to give it. By means of a large window in front, the attendant could watch
the patients. A door was placed on each side through which medicines, water,
food, etc., could be given, without moving the patient. This door was provided
with a suitable stop, so that it could be left partly open for ventilation; or firmly
fastened shut, when so desired. The front window was hinged on its upper edge
and could be secured in a fixed position above the driver's head. This provided
ventilation from front to rear. It also allowed the attendant to watch and
assist the patients without leaving his seat.

The ambulance board believed that side overhang of a body wide enough
to provide a center aisle would make the body higher and heavier and increase
the side sway. It would have been necessary, also, on account of the wheel
housing, to raise both tiers of litters. This would have raised the center of
gravity; which, with the increased width, would have rendered capsizing more
easy. The advantages of lower litters and a lower center of gravity were con-
stantly in mind, particularly in the design of the new AA model body.

MOTOB VEHICLES 355

HEATERS

At the time of placing the original contracts for motor ambulances in the
spring of 1917, the information at hand concerning climatic conditions in France
was very meager. The relation of weather conditions to the evacuation of
sick and wounded was practically unknown. No reports on the subject had
been received. Following the arrival of the American Expeditionary Forces in
France more complete and accurate information became available. It was
now learned that more adequate protection from both cold and wet proved to
be necessary than had been anticipated. This was particularly true for the
wounded, generally suffering from shock and its resultant low vitality.

Provisions already had been made for inclosing both the sides and the
front end of the ambulance body with composition board, thus affording a
thicker and less permeable wall than did the curtains of the open type of body.
But even this was considered insufficient protection. Some provision for heat-
ing the ambulance was necessary. The heating of automobiles was not a new
thing. A common method utilized the exhaust gases from the motor. The
device to accomplish this purpose was known to the automobile trade as an
"exhaust car heater." This contrivance consisted of a flexible metallic hose
from the exhaust pipe of the motor to a radiating device within the car and
another line to carry away the exhaust gases. 6

Such a heating device had been developed for the Ford ambulance and
was provided by the Ford Motor Co. on all the ambulances delivered in 1917
and without any special provision being made in the contract for it. Investi-
gations with a view of securing a similar device for the General Motors Co.
ambulance were begun in August, 1917. The firm which had supplied the
device for the Ford ambulance worked out an installation for the Babcock
body and the General Motors Co. chassis. 7 It was decided to install these
heaters on all ambulances sent overseas and on all those at camps in the colder
parts of the United States. A contract for 1,500 heaters was made September
29, 1917, 8 and the first deliveries to the General Motors Truck Co. arrived
November l. 9 These heaters were found to be faulty in several particulars,
hut their action was quite good. 10 The defects found by the inspector at the
General Motors Truck Co. plant were soon remedied by the maker and the
changes suggested were effected. 11

That heating devices using exhaust gases were not without danger became
evident from a report from France that a patient in one of the Ford ambulances
equipped with such a device had died, apparently from carbon monoxide
poisoning. 12 This report indicated that the patient, suffering from a mild
contagious disease, had been loaded in the ambulance at the place where he
was billeted, for transportation to the station hospital. When the ambulance
was opened he was found dead. A companion was in a critical condition. It
was assumed in this report that the carbon monoxide had escaped into the car
body by passing through the metal of the heating device. It is now believed,
however, that the gas escaped through a loose connection beneath the body
between the flexible pipe and the fixed metal part of the heater and entered the
body through cracks in the floor. When these bodies were designed, cracks were

356 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

intentionally left in the floor to facilitate flushing or cleansing of the floor when
dirty. In this case the ambulance had been allowed to stand 20 minutes with
the body closed and the engine idling. The noxious gases escaping from this
loose connection might very well have entered the body through the openings
in the floor. The board which investigated the case, however, blamed the
porosity of the metal heater. 12

This casualty led to the issuance of a general order from the headquarters
of the American Expeditionary Forces, requiring that bodies of ambulances
equipped with exhaust gas heaters be especially well ventilated. 13 It was
directed that this ventilation be secured by boring 1-inch augar holes at 3-inch
intervals in double row through the wooden front behind the driver and
immediately below the roof. Similar holes, 15 in number, were to be bored in
the tail gate, grouped about the center canvas litter pocket and between the
upright iron braces.

A similar order was issued, upon the recommendation of the Surgeon
General, 14 by the War Department in March, 1918, in which it was directed
that: 15 (1) No change will be made in the exhaust system of the engine of any
motor-driven vehicle. (2) The exhaust pipe leading from the engine to the
muffler will be kept intact at all times. (3) Under no circumstances will any
attempt be made to attach or to devise a heater using gases from the exhaust.

MODEL AA

In preparing the standard Babcock ambulance body for overseas shipment,
very little assembling was attempted before placing the parts in the crate.
Practically only the floor was put together. The remaining parts were shaped
and many of the holes bored, but the assembling was left to the artificers over-
seas. This lack of assembly gave rise to many difficulties in the work overseas,
especially by personnel unacquainted with the factory method of assembly. 16
These difficulties called for the development of a new type of body in which
most of the assembling was done at the factory and only the minimum amount
of work left for the assembly unit overseas to do. It was desirable that the
assembly to be made overseas be as simple as possible.

Consideration was given to a change in design late in the fall of 1917. An
informal "body conference" was held in Washington, D. C, December 17-21,
1917. This conference was attended by representatives of six of the leading
body manufacturers of the United States. 17 The representatives of the Surgeon
General presented the problem confronting the Medical Department, which
was a new body of the knockdown type, with a number of improvements over
the body then in use. At this conference the design of the desired new body
was developed. By December 29 the drawings and specifications had been
completed. They were rushed to the Babcock factory at Watertown for the
manufacture of a sample body for test. This body was shipped to Washington,
D. C, as soon as completed. It was there mounted upon a suitable chassis
and subjected to careful scrutiny and rigid tests. Such changes as were indi-
cated were made and the body finally perfected. Drawings and specifications
were revised to conform to these changes and improvements.

MOTOR VEHICLES

351

On May 10, 1918, contracts were let to two manufacturing companies for
5,000 of these new bodies. A contract for 3,000 bodies was given the Anderson
Electric Car Co., of Detroit, Mich., at $335.25 per body, with $15.46 additional
for crating or $19.96 for boxing. It was stipulated that delivery would begin
July 15, 1918, and continue at the rate of 200 to 500 bodies per month. 18

The other contractor was the Elkhart Carriage Co., of Elkhart, Ind. A
contract for 2,000 bodies was given this firm at $364.13 per body, with an
additional charge of $12 for crating or $26.50 for boxing. Deliveries were to
begin July 15, 1918, and to continue thereafter at the rate of 125 to 300 bodies
per month. 19

Fig. 20.— Standard G. M. C. ambulance, 1918, with model AA body, side view

The contract stipulations concerning deliveries could not be maintained
nor did delivery begin on the date specified. One of the prime causes of the
delay in deliveries was the question of a supply of canvas or duck for the rear
curtain, the driver's curtain or apron, and the visor or part of the top of the
body projecting forward over the driver's seat. These parts required a canvas
50 inches wide. 20 Practically all the looms in the United States making duck
were working on contracts with the Quartermaster Corps. The demand for
canvas for tents, tarpaulins, shelter tents, and wagon covers was enormous. Bj
the end of May, 1918, the procurement of duck for ambulances had become
increasingly difficult. Duck of suitable quality could be had through the
Quartermaster Corps in only the 28^-inch width. Other widths could not be
had. 20 Attention was turned to other fabrics for substitutes. A composite
fabric known as Meritas cloth was tried out. This cloth consisted of two plies

358

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

of drilling cemented together. Fears were entertained that it might be too
heavy and stiff and develop defects of manufacture. These fears proved
groundless, however, with the light-weight Meritas cloth, and it was accepted
as a substitute for canvas when the latter could not be obtained. 21

Requests for the requisite quantity and grades of duck were made upon
the Quartermaster General early in June, 1918. 22 Some difficulty was experi-
enced in getting this request for duck cleared by the Council of National
Defense. 23 The contractors were urged to secure suitable duck wherever they
could and in such quantities as could be had. 20 A sufficient quantity was

Ffg. 21. —Standard G. M. C. ambulance, 1918, with model AA body, rear view

secured from the Babcock Co. for approximately 150 bodies. 22 Small quanti-
ties were picked up from other sources. The Anderson Co. was authorized to
substitute the light-weight Meritas cloth for duck on the first 500 bodies. 24
The inspector at the Anderson Electric Car Co.'s plant reported June 15, 1918,
that arrangements had been made by that company for duck and duck substi-
tute for the first 1,500 bodies. He was of the opinion that sufficient duck for
the remainder would arrive before the time it was needed. 24

The deliveries of canvas did not materialize as promised. The matter of
requisitions for quartermaster duck was turned over to the Motor Transport
Service in July. That service was warned that unless a constant urge was
applied aggravating delay would occur in the deliveries of the duck. The
prospect of securing deliveries was most discouraging. The promises made were

MOTOR VEHICLES 359

fair enough, but when information concerning actual progress of manufacture
and delivery was sought it was found very hard to get. 25

The demands from our overseas forces for motor ambulances became more
and more insistent. On August 5 the inspector at Detroit, who had general
supervision of production of ambulance bodies there, was called upon for a
conservative estimate of the number of ambulance bodies which could be
produced that month. The total supply of the Babcock bodies had been
exhausted. Dependence for the number of bodies required during August and
succeeding months had to be placed upon the producing plants. A minimum
production of 500 bodies from both plants was essential, and larger production
during subsequent months was to be expected. 26 The inspector advised that
300 bodies could be produced by September 1, 325 between September 1 and
September 15, and 800 per month thereafter. He believed that when both
plants were in full swing production could be pushed up to 1,300 bodies per
month. 27 Vouchers for the hist two invoices of bodies from the Anderson
Electric Car Co. were forwarded from Detroit September 5, 1918. 28 For
various reasons no bodies were finished at either plant during August. The
first shipments made were 9 bodies from the Elkhart Co. September 3, followed
on the 5th by 9 more. 29 That company produced 236 bodies during September.
Subsequent production was as follows: During 1918, October, 447; November,
461; December, 423; during 1919, January, 433. This completed the original
contract for 2,000. 30

The Anderson Electric Car Co. began deliveries during the first 10 days
of September, during which period 116 bodies were completed and 106 shipped
to Newport News, Va,, for overseas transport. 31 Deliveries of bodies by the
Anderson Electric Car Co. totaled 2,930 32 and were made, by months, approx-
imately as follows: during 1918, September, 428; 33 October, 446; November,
588; December 818; during 1919, January, 579; February, 81. 32

The combined monthly production up to the end of December, 1918, was
September, 664; October, 893; November, 1,049; December, 1,241. Assum-
ing that the rate of production during November was uniform, the total pro-
duction of bodies by these two companies prior to the armistice was 1,980.
Adding these to the 3,000 produced by the H. H. Babcock Co. gives an
aggregate body production from the date of entry of the United States into
the World War until the cessation of hostilities of 4,907. These figures show
that body production did not keep pace with chassis production. At the time
of signing the armistice the numbers of chassis and bodies produced were,
respectively, 5,900 34 and 4,980. It may be said, then, that the total number
of standard motor ambulances, large, produced prior to the cessation of
hostilities did not exceed 5,000.

No information is discoverable as to the number of the AA bodies which
reached France. These bodies appear to have been placed en route to the
overseas forces as rapidly as they were produced. Approximately a dozen of
them were directed to domestic use. 35 It appears that 1,980 had been shipped
at the date of the beginning of the armistice. 3 " Of these, 517 were at the ports
and 66 were in transit. 37 It is assumed, therefore, that approximately 1,386
bodies were actually floated before the cessation of hostilities. When the

360 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

armistice was signed there were 1,395 General Motors'Co. "chassis at the ports,
243 in transit, and 311 released but not in transit. 37

REFERENCES

(1) Correspondence between the ambulance board, the Surgeon General, and The Adjutant

General, January 16 to March 8, 1917. Subject: Babcock ambulance bodies. On
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 11,220.-136.

(2) Contract between Lieut. Col. C. R. Darnall, M. C, and the H. H. Babcock Co.,

Watertown, N. Y., for 500 ambulance bodies and schedule of deliveries thereto
attached, dated March 13, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Motor Transport Contracts, 14,509-A.

(3) Letter from Maj. A. W. Williams, M. C, to the Surgeon General, May 3, 1917. Sub-

ject: Inspection of Motor ambulance bodies at H. H. Babcock Co.'s plant, Water-
town, N. Y. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 153,155.-35-1.

(4) Letter from the Surgeon General, to the H. H. Babcock Co., Watertown, N. Y., Sep-

tember 24, 1917. Subject: Assignment of inspector. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., — 5

(5) Contract between Lieut. Col. C. It. Darnall, M. C, and the H. H. Babcock Co., for

2,308 ambulances and 192 spare parts bodies, and schedule of deliveries attached
thereto, dated June 13, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Motor Transport Contracts, 411.

(6) Second indorsement from the chief quartermaster, A. E. F., to the chief surgeon, A. E. F.

November 26, 1917, relative to heaters for ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply

r.. . . „ „ _ 25 F. R.

Division, S. G. O., ^Tj

(7) Letter from the Standard Parts Co., Cleveland, Ohio, to Maj. Edwin P, Wolfe, M. C,

S. G. O., August 10, 1917, relative to Perfection heaters. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., 70S j*' P : .

(8) Contract of September 29, 1917, between Maj. M. A. Reasoner, M. C, and the Stand-

ard Parts Co., Cleveland, Ohio, for 1,500 heaters. On file, Miscellaneous Section,
Finance Department, S. G. O., 2,449.

(9) Letter from Capt. A. B. Browne, Sanitary Corps, Pontiac, Mich., to Maj. W. T.

Fishleigh, Sanitary Corps, S. G. O., November 1, 1917. Subject: Perfection heaters.
On file, Finance and Supply division, S. G. O., Pontiac letters to January 1, 1918.

(10) Weekly report from the officer in charge, Sanitary Corps, N. A., General Motors Truck

Co. Plant, Pontiac, Mich., to the Surgeon General, November 5, 1917. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Pontiac Weekly Reports, 101 ^_ JLi^.

178

(11) Letter from the Standard Parts Co., Cleveland, Ohio, to Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, S. G. O.,

November 11, 1917, relative to changes in Perfection Heater. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., r^ — '-■

(12) Letter from commanding officer, Base Hospital No. 17, American Expeditionary Forces,

France, to the chief surgeon, A. E. F., December 30, 1917. Subject: Gas asphyxiation

in Ford ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 55 " 17 B H '.

(13) General Orders, No. 2, Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, France, Januarv

3, 1918.

(14) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to The Adjutant General of the Army,

February 21, 1918. Subject: Automobile ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., ~~~-

(15) General Orders, No. 24, War Department, March 8, 1918.

MOTOR VEHICLES 361

(16) Letter from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to the Surgeon General of the Army, August

9, 1917. Subject: Shipment of automobile ambulances. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., ^?.

(17) Letters from the Surgeon General, to various manufacturers expressing appreciation

for assistance in body design, December 29, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply

„. . . „ „ „ 239, WTF
Division, IS. <_r. (_>., — ' ,
54

(18) Contract dated May 10, 1918, between 1st Lieut. L. W. Lang, Sanitary Corps, N. A.,

and the Anderson Electric Car Co., Detroit, Mich., for 3,000 ambulance bodies.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport Contracts, No. 5008.

(19) Contract dated May 10, 1918, between First Lieut. L. W. Lang, Sanitary Corps, N. A.,

and the Elkhart Carriage Co., Elkhart, Ind., for 2,000 ambulance bodies. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport Contracts, No. 5009.

(20) Letter from the Surgeon General to Capt. H. E. Smith, Sanitary Corps, N. A., Detroit,

Mich., May 31, 1918. Subject: Duck supply. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. O., Detroit letters to July 1, 1918, unnumbered.

(21) Letter from the Surgeon General to Capt. EL E. Smith, Sanitary Corps, N. A., Detroit,

Mich., June 27, 1918. Subject: Substitute. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. O., Detroit letters to July 1, 1918, unnumbered.

(22) Letter from Capt. H. E. Smith, Sanitary Corps, N. A., Detroit, Mich., to Capt. W. G.

Stoner, Sanitary Corps, N. A., Motor Transport Service, Washington, D. C, June 10,
1918. Subject: Requisition of duck supply. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. O., Detroit letters to July 1, 1918, unnumbered.

(23) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Anderson Electric Car Co.,

Detroit, Mich., June 1, 1918. Subject: Duck supply. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., Detroit letters to July 1, 1918, unnumbered.

(24) Letter from Capt. H. E. Smith, Sanitary Corps, N. A., to Capt. W. G. Stoner, Sanitary

Corps, N. A., Quartermaster's Department, Washington, D. C, June 15, 1918.
Subject: Duck curtains. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Detroit
letters to July 1, 1918, unnumbered.

(25) Letter from Capt. W. G. Stoner, Sanitary Corps, N. A., S. G. O., to Capt. H. E. Smith,

Sanitary Corps, N. A., Detroit, Mich., July 26, 1918, relative to transfer of personnel
to the Motor Transport Service. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Detroit letters to July 1, 1918, unnumbered.

(26) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Anderson Electric Car Co.,

Detroit, Mich., August 5, 1918. Subject: Ambulance body production. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Detroit letters, July 1, 1918, to September
30, 1918, unnumbered.

(27) Letter from Capt. H. E. Smith, Sanitary Corps, N. A., Detroit, Mich., to the Surgeon

General. Subject: Ambulance body production. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., Detroit letters, July 1, 1918, to September 30, 1918, unnumbered.

(28) Letter from Caj>t. H. E. Smith, Sanitary Corps, N. A., to the Surgeon General of the

Army, September 5, 1918. Subject: Anderson invoices. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., Detroit letters, September 1, 1918, to December 1, 1918,
unnumbered.

(29) Letter from First Lieut. W. L. Dauner, Sanitary Corps, N. A., to the Surgeon General

of the Army, September 4, 1918. Subject: Weekly report. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., Elkhart letters, September 1, 1918, to December 1, 1918,
unnumbered.

(30) Letter from the Elcar Motor Co., Elkhart, Ind., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, War

Department, S. G. O., August 7, 1918. Subject: Body production. On file, Record
Room, S. G. O., 451.8-1.

(31) Trimonthly production report, September 10, 1918, from Capt. H. E. Smith, Sanitary

Corps, N. A., Anderson Electric Car Co., Detroit, Mich. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., Detroit letters, September 1, 1918, to December 1, 1918,
unnumbered.

362 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(32) Schedule of deliveries attached to original contract. Account of Maj. C. E. Gray, Q-

M. C. On file, Miscellaneous Section, Finance Department.

(33) Trimonthly production report, September 30,>1918, from Capt. H. E. Smith, Sanitary

Corps, N. A., Anderson Electric Car Co., Detroit, Mich. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., Detroit letters, September 1, 1918, to December 1, 1918,

(34) Letter from the General Motors Truck Co., Detroit, Mich., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe,

M. C, S. G. O., July 26 1926. Subject: G. M. Clchassis production. On file,
Record Room, S. G.O., 451.8-1.

(35) Trimonthly production report, September 10, 1918, from First Lieut. W. L. Dauner,

Sanitary Corps, N. A., Elkhart, Ind. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G.
O., Elkhart letters, September 1, 1918, to December;l,"1918, unnumbered.

(36) Daily production reports, November 6, 1918, from Capt. H. E. Smith, Sanitary Corps,

N. A., Detroit Mich, and First Lieut. W. L. Dauner.Sanitary Corps, N. A., Elkhart,

750-519 M. T. C.
Ind. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - — jy — •

(37) Memorandum, from Capt. Fred J. Murray, Sanitary Corps, N. A., Embarkation Service,

for Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., November 13, 191S. Subject: G.

M. C. ambulances. On file, Finance and SupplyDi vision, S. G. ()., -^= — : — : — '-■

CHAPTER XXIII
FORD AMBULANCES

1917 MODEL

During the visit of the French mission to the United States in April, 1917,
there was presented to the War Department a request from the French Gov-
ernment for 10(1 ambulance sections, consisting of 20 machines and approxi-
mately 25 men each, for service with the French troops. 1 This request seems
to have been suggested by the presence of units of the American Ambulance
Service (private organizations) with the French armies, maintained by volun-
teer subscription and enlistments in France and the United States. The
Surgeon General received authority from the Secretary of War to raise the
force and provide the equipment. 2 The question of body design was at once
taken up by the Medical Department ambulance board. Ford ambulances
having been specifically designated in the request of the French Government,
every source of information covering materials and design was investigated as
fully as time would permit. Every individual who had seen service with the
American Ambulance Service in France, and who could be located, was con-
sulted and his views solicited. A special effort was made to elicit the reasons
for the design developed by that organization during its many months of service
in France. It was assumed that the design then in use was the most suitable.
An attempt was made to duplicate it, as closely as could be done from the
photographs and information available, and from the suggestions of those who
had had experience in its use. Several sample bodies were ordered, mounted
on standard Ford chassis, and compared, point by point, with the pictures and
meager description of the French body. The design was finally completed and
adopted in the latter part of May, 1917. The request by the French for 100
sections, was increased by them to 120 sections, requiring 2,400 ambulances,
before the work on the body design had been completed.

The sources from which bodies could be obtained were investigated and
their maximum output determined. A survey was made of the total output
of all the ordinary sources of supply. This survey showed those sources to be
totally inadequate to produce so great a number of bodies within the available
time. It was thought, in view of its facilities, organization, and reputation for
quantity production, that there was no company so well equipped to produce
the completed ambulances as the Ford Motor Co. itself, if it could be induced
to undertake the task. This the company readily agreed to do.

California redwood was considered the best material to inclose the sides;
yellow pine as best for the floor; and oak or ash as best for the subsills. Inves-
tigation by the Ford Motor Co. showed that delivery of the redwood lumber
could not be had under 60 days, which placed it out of consideration. The

363

364

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

possibility of using a composition board for the sides, in place of redwood sug-
gested by a member of the ambulance board, received prompt consideration,
was fully investigated by the engineer of the company, and found to be
satisfactory. It could be obtained immediately in sufficient quantity. A body
was constructed of this material, in accordance with the design adopted,
inspected, its riding qualities for both sitting and recumbent patients tried out
over unfavorable roads, and found satisfactory. 3 It was accepted and a
contract given the Ford Motor Co. for the full 2,400 ambulances, boxed for export
shipment. The price paid for the complete ambulance was $475, for a set of
spare parts for each machine $22.72 per set, and for sets of additional spare parts
for 20 machines, $501.81 per set. 4 Production began in July and proceeded with

Fig. 22.— Standard Ford ambulance of 1917, side view

such rapidity that considerable difficulty was experienced in moving the output
from the factory to the seaport, due to lack of storage at the port of embarka-
tion. In order to relieve the congestion, 100 complete ambulances were ordered
to the newly established motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky., where
the majority of them were assembled and shipped to various organizations in
the United States. A few, boxed for export, were shipped to organizations
about to proceed overseas. The contract was completed in the early part of
September, and 2,350 ambulances had been shipped to France by October 15,
1917. The remaining 50 were shipped to the United States Army Ambulance
Service at Allentown, Pa., for training purposes. That service was being
organized for service with the French Army.

MOTOR VEHICLES

365

The body design was shortened as much as possible, even to the extent of
requiring the front end of the litter poles to project under the driver's seat and
the rear ends of the poles to project through the tail gate of the ambulance,
the apertures being covered with canvas, thus causing a great overhang of the
rear end of the body beyond the rear axle line. This overhang was the cause
of much criticism by all who saw it, but no means of avoiding it could be found
which still secured that short turning radius, regarded as so essential by all
who had seen serv-
ice with Ford am-
bulances in France.
Many devices for
lengthening the
wheel base, to avoid
this overhang, were
submitted and the
ambulance board
was importuned by
sales agents of those
devices to adopt
them. But it ad-
hered to its decision
to make the type sup-
plied conform to that
used in France, if ma-
terial and construc-
tion available could
effect it.

The composition
board body received
considerable criti-
cism from the units
overseas to which
they were assigned;
due largely to the use
of J^-inch material
in the side walls in-
stead of ^g-inch ma-
terial, as used in the
standard closed-type
ambulance body of
1918; and to the belief that it would be readily broken and could not be patched.
Nevertheless this type of body stood up well. Machines so equipped were
found to be in good condition in 1919.

The advantages of having the work done by a firm with facilities as exten-
sive and an organization as efficient as the Ford Motor Co. were many; but
the operations of an organization as efficient as that company are not always
coordinated and harmonized, as was evident from the difficulties encountered in
assembling the bodies of the lot shipped to the motor ambulance supply depot

Fig. 23.— Standard Ford ambulance of 1917, rear view

366 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

at Louisville. It was found that the jigs used for boring the holes of the wood-
work were neither uniform nor correct, requiring many new holes to be bored. 5
To remedy some of the difficulties experienced in assembling these ambulance
bodies, the Ford Motor Co. prepared and forwarded to the Surgeon General in
September, 1917, 2,500 copies of instruction for setting up Ford ambulances. 6
These instructions were promptly forwarded overseas. The Ford Motor Co.
gave assurance that defects in the first lot had been noted and corrected in
later production and that trouble with only a few need be expected. 7

In May, 1918, a contract for 100 Ford ambulances was made with the Ford
Motor Co. The Medical Department needed a light ambulance at many of
the smaller posts, where ambulance service was not extensive and where such
ambulances could be used to advantage. The prices paid on this contract were,
for ambulances complete, $500 each, and for sets of spare parts for individual
ambulances $50 per set. 8 These ambulances were shipped to the Ford branch
in Louisville where they were assembled and delivered to the motor ambulance
supply depot. The local branch also experienced difficulty in assembling the
bodies owing to the improper location of bolt holes in the materials received. 9

To overcome the extensive overhang and the side sway, and to improve
the riding qualities, it was decided to equip this lot of chassis with a Hay Dee
15-inch extension. Changes in the chassis by the application of this extension
were made by the personnel of the motor ambulance supply depot before the
bodies were mounted. This extension was criticized by the depot personnel
as being a rather crude piece of work. 9 Improvements in design of the cross
members were devised at the depot.

1918 BODY MODEL

The type of body designed in 1917, and supplied with Ford ambulances
shipped overseas in the summer of 1917, was criticized by the chief of the
United States Army Ambulance Service with the French Army. 10 The princi-
pal complaints about the body were that it was too small in all directions; that
the internal arrangements were defective, especially the runner for the upper
litter; that the tail gate was too wide; that the protection of the drivers was
poor; that the tool boxes was fragile, and that the material of which the body
was made was too fragile. The body constructed in France was heavier, made
of wood, and the top was sufficiently rigid to carry the spare tires. One of
these bodies was shipped to the United States as a sample of the accepted
design. It was carefully examined by personnel of the finance and supply divi-
sion of the Surgeon General's Office. The standard specifications were modified
to correspond in dimensions to this body.

A new AA type body for the General Motors Co. ambulance had been
designed, built, and perfected. Contracts for the estimated needs of the Army
had been let and work on them begun when information was received in June,
1918, that it was the intention to equip one of the ambulance companies of
each division with Ford ambulances. The qualities and conveniences of the
new AA body were sufficient to justify the extension of the principle to the
Ford ambulance. Instructions were issued on July 1, 1918, to the Medical
Department representative on duty with the Anderson Electric Car Co. to

MOTOI! VEHICLES

367

construct an experimental Ford ambulance body combining the most desirable
features of the special French Kellner body and the old-type Ford body. 11 The
criticisms of the old Ford body by the chief of the United States Army Ambu-
lance Service with the French Army were furnished as a further guide. 12 Work
on the new design was pushed rapidly. The Kellner body was brought to the
Anderson factory and studied. The sample body was finished by the end of
July. 13 This new body was patterned after the new AA body in most of its
details. The length of the experimental body was 6 feet 10% inches over posts,
and conformed to the Kellner body. Its weight was 636 pounds. The weight
of the Kellner body was 811 pounds. The experimental body was designed for
either the standard Ford wheel base or with Hay Dee 15-inch extension. 14

Fig. 24.— This and Figures 25 to 27 show the Ford ambulance of 1918

Certain changes were made in the experimental body. A sample body was
mounted on a special Ford chassis with a 15-inch Ford extension and the job
driven to Washington and returned to Detroit. 15 The design of the body was
accepted with a few minor changes. 16 The new design Ford ambulance, with
extended wheel base and special body, was officially approved by the War
Department October 18, 1918. 17

One of the important improvements in this body was the device for loading
and suspending the third patient. In the old-type ambulance the shoes of the
litter ran in channels on both sides of the rear opening. The narrowness of
this opening caused considerable difficulty in loading the upper patient and gave
rise to complaints. In the new body the entire rear end was inclosed with a
curtain as in the A A body. The trolley system of loading and suspension of the

368

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

upper patients in the AA body was adapted to the Ford body. The trolley
tracks were placed along the upper part of the inner side of the side walls.
The rollers of the trolley were attached through proper extension to a wooden
bar or yoke. This yoke had a slot cut in its upper margin at a proper place
for the reception of the right handle of the litter. This slot was of a size to
receive comfortably the litter handle. Another slot, of the same depth but
considerably wider was cut in the yoke to receive the left handle. The width
of the slot permitted the use of litters of different widths. When not in use
this yoke was fastened to the roof near the rear end. When the upper patient
was loaded, this yoke traveled forward with the litter until the handles were
against the rear of the front end of the body. The rear handles of the litter

-

rfffl

instruction ia80rat

kau museum;

were supported by straps attached to the rear side post near the top. The
lower end of these straps passed through rings of sufficient size to slip easily
over the litter handle. Side sway and rear thrust of the loaded litter, when in
position, were prevented by two check straps with snaps fastened one to each
rear side post near the bottom. The snaps of these check straps were snapped
into the ring of the upper strap after it had been placed in position. These
check straps anchored the rear end of the litter and held it securely against
side swav.

1918 CHASSIS MODEL

The rear overhang of the old-type Ford ambulance had always been
considered undesirable and objectio able. This overhang had been materially
reduced by the application of a 15-inch Hay Dee extension on the 100 Ford

MOTOR VEHICLES

369

ambulances purchased in May, 1918. The lengthening of the wheel base
proved very satisfactory and improved both the appearance and the riding
qualities of the vehicle. The experience gained with this lot of ambulances
indicated the desirability of extending the wheel base on the ambulances to be
purchased for France in conformity with the requests and estimates above
noted. The Ford Motor Car Co. agreed to lengthen the wheel base of their
standard model T chassis 15 inches in preference to having the Hay Dee
extension applied, and to equip the chassis with demountable rims, Gabriel
snubber, and Timken front-wheel roller bearings. 1S The changes in body design
and wheel base made the new ambulance an easy-riding vehicle and greatly
improved its appearance.

NEW CONTRACTS

The shipment of Ford ambulances to France after the first 2,350 were
forwarded in 1917 was discontinued in response to cabled request from the
commander in chief, September 27, 1917. 19 This cablegram indicated that
there was an abundance of these ambulances on hand. The urgent need for
motor transportation of some sort and the shortage of cargo trucks led to the
conversion of a number of Ford ambulances into trucks and their distribution
to organizations needing such trucks. All excess of these ambulances above
the French requirements were converted into trucks. 20

The need for ambulance service in the United States had been met by the
issue of General Motors Co. ambulances and the 200 Ford ambulances purchased
30663—28 24

370

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

in July, 1917, and May, 1918. The Medical Department did not again have
need for recourse to the facilities of the Ford Motor Co. until June, 1918, when
cabled requests were received from France for the immediate shipment of 50
Ford ambulances 21 and for monthly shipments of 100 Ford ambulances for six
months. 22 These requests were augmented at short intervals as follows:
June 14, automatic monthly replacement supply of 100 Ford ambulance

Flo. 27

chassis; 23 July 3, 136 Ford ambulances complete, and a monthly supply of 100
for five months; 24 August 6, present shortage 306 Fords; 25 August 17, actual
shortage that date, 1,600 Ford ambulances. 26 Information furnished from
France on August 19 indicated the need of 1,678 Ford ambulances in addition to
General Motors Co. ambulances for the proper equipment of the overseas forces
and a small allowance for the Services of Supply. 27 These cabled requests and
information had a bearing upon the estimates prepared in the Surgeon General's
Office. They are reflected in the following estimate of August 1, 1918 : 28

MOTOB VEHICLES 371

Estimated requirements for Ford ambulances (chassis and bodies) Medical Department, United

States Army

BY JUNE 30, 1918 — 20 DIVISIONS OVERSEAS

Estimated number of ambulances:
Overseas —

In United States Army Ambulance Service shipped by the Medical Depart-
ment 2, 400

Absorbed, American Ambulance Service 800

3, 200
United States camps and hospitals —

Purchased by Medical Department '200

Total 3, 400

BY DEC. 31, 1918 — 52° DIVISIONS OVERSEAS

Estimated number of ambulances:
Overseas —

Loss, ambulances already in service (25 per cent of 3,200) ._ 800

Additional divisional ambulances (52X16) 832

Loss (25 per cent) 208

1, 840

United States camps and hospitals —

Loss, ambulances already in service (15 per cent of 200) 30

Additional ambulances 100

Loss (15 per cent) 15

145

Total 1, 985

Grand total required .. 5,385

BY JUNE 30, 1919 80 DIVISIONS OVERSEAS

Estimated number of ambulances:
Overseas —

Loss, ambulances already in service (25 per cent of 4,032) 1, 008

Additional divisional ambulances (28X16) 448

Loss (25 per cent) 112

1,568
United States camps and hospitals —

Loss, ambulances already in service (15 per cent of 300) 45

Total 1,613

Grand total required 6, 998

BY DEC. 31, 1919 90 DIVISIONS OVERSEAS

Estimated number of ambulances:
Overseas —

Loss, ambulances already in service (25 per cent of 4,480) 1, 120

Additional divisional ambulances (10X16) 160

Loss (25 per cent) 46

1,320

• Decided in June, 1918, to equip one ambulance company per division overseas with Ford ambulances. No infor-
mation as to whether any of the Ford ambulances previously overseas are to be used for this purpose.

372

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Estimated number of ambulances — Continued.
United States camps and hospitals —

Loss, ambulances already in service (15 per cent of 300) 45

Total 1,365

Grand total required 8, 363

Estimated requirements for Ford ambulance spare parts D (overseas supply), Ford ambulance
spare parts C (United States supply), Medical Department, United States Army"

Divisions
overseas

Estimated number
of Ford am ba-
lances in service

Spare parts, D complements required as per
Quartermaster Corps lists*

Date

United

Overseas states
overseas campsand

hospitals

By June 30, 1918 _.

2fi

52
80
90

3, 200 200

4,032 300
4, 480 300
4, 640 300

Overseas, 1 large, 31 small; United States, 1 large,
1 small.

By Dec. 31, 1918... - ..

By June 30, 1919

By Dec. 31, 1919

"Information was received in June, 191S, that one ambulance company per division overseas is to be equipped with
16 Ford ambulances. No information as to whether any of the Ford ambulances in the service of the U.S. Army
Ambulance Service overseas on and before June 1, 1918, are to be used to equip overseas divisions under this order. In
the absence of such information, this estimate is based on the assumption that TJ. S. Army Ambulance Service Ford
ambulances will not be used for such purpose.

fcTheterm "Complements of spare parts Cor D" indicates base supplies overseas and in the United States respec-
tively, sufficient to supply parts for base repairs for 100 cars for a period of 6 months.

Contract and delivery estimates for Ford ambulances (chassis and bodies), Medical Department,

United States Army

Date

Estimated

total
required

Required
during
period

Delivered
or delivery
contracted

for during
period

Additional
deliveries
to be con-
tracted for
during
period

By June 30, 1918.-.

By Dec. 31, 1918-

3,400
« o, 385
° 6, 998
° 8, 363

3,400
1,985
1,613
1,365

3,400
None.
None.
None.

None.

By June 30, 1919°

By Dec. 31, 1919"..

1,365

■ These estimates will be decreased by the use, as divisional ambulances, of Ford ambulances now overseas with the
U. S. Army Ambulance Service.

CONTRACT AND DELIVERY ESTIMATES FOR SPARE PARTS D (FOR OVERSEAS MAINTENANCE),
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, UNITED STATES ARMY

Responsibility for spare parts D equipment for overseas maintenance of Ford ambu-
lances has always rested with the Quartermaster Corps, and will be continued automatically
in the Motor Transport Service. Complete lists covering Ford spare parts D are in the
hands of the Quartermaster Corps, together with information on contracts and deliveries.
Contracts and deliveries of Ford spare parts D must be maintained by the Motor Transport
Service.

Responsibility for Ford spare parts C equipment for United States maintenance of
Ford ambulances purchased prior to the establishment of the Motor Transport Service
rested on the Medical Department. Sufficient equipment has been purchased and furnished
by the motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky., to cover needs to June 30, 1918.

Contracts and deliveries of Ford spare parts C must be maintained by the Motor
Transport Service.

MOTOR VEHICLES 373

REFERENCES

(1) Memorandum from the chief of U. S. Army Ambulance Service to the commanding

general, A. E. F., August 17, 1917. On file, A. G. O., World War Division, Chief
Surgeon's Files, 322.3211.

(2) G. O., No. 75, W. D., June 23, 1917.

(3) Letter from Maj. H. W. Jones, M. C, to the Surgeon General, June 13, 1917.

Subject: Final acceptance and inspection of Ford model ambulance. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 153,155.59.

(4) Contract of July 13, 1917, between Maj. Percy L. Jones, M. C, and the Ford Motor

Co., for 2,400 Ford motor ambulances complete, 2,400 sets spare parts equipment
for individual ambulances and 120 sets of spare parts for section of 20 ambulances.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport Contracts, 841.

(5) Letter from Capt. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot,

Louisville, Ky., to Mr. P. W. Avery, Ford Motor Car Co., Detroit, Mich., July 25,

1917. Subject: Assembling Ford ambulance bodies. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., — =— •

(6) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Ford Motor Co., Detroit, Mich., September

21, 1917. Subject: Instructions for building Ford ambulances. On file, Finance

247
and Supply Division, S. G. O., j-t-

(7) Letter from Capt. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville,

Ky., to Maj. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., July 24, 1917. Subject: Ford
ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14,842.3.

(8) Contract of June 3, 1918, between First Lieut. W. Lang, Sanitary Corps, and the Ford

Motor Co., for 100 ambulances and 100 sets spare parts. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport Contract, 6,204.

(9) Letter from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville,

Ky., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., June 20, 1918. Subject: Ford

713—440
ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - ogj

(10) Letter from the chief, U. S. Army Ambulance Service with the French Army, to the

officer in charge of motor transportation, Medical Department; Office of the Surgeon

General, February 22, 1918. Subject: Specifications for Ford Ambulances. On

250 F 2
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — oro —

(11) Letter from the Surgeon General to Capt. H. E. Smith, Sanitary Corps, N. A., Detroit,

Mich., July 1, 1918. Subject: Experimental Ford body. On file, Finance and

o i t-.- • • a n r> 24 7 FORD
Supply Division, S. G. O., jq

(12) Letter from the Surgeon General to Capt. H. E. Smith, Anderson Electric Car Co.,

Detroit, Mich., July 12, 1918. Subject: Report on old-type Ford ambulance. On

247 FORD
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., jtj

(13) Letter from Capt. H. E. Smith, Sanitary Corps, N. A., to the Surgeon General, July 15,

1918. Subject: New design Ford ambulance body. On file. Finance and Supply

_. . . a „ „ 247 F ORD

Division, S. G. O., y~

(14) Telegram from Capt. H. E. Smith, Sanitary Corps, N. A., Detroit, Mich., to Maj. W.

T. Fishleigh, Sanitary Corps, S. G. O., August 10, 1918, relative to weight and
dimensions of sample Ford body. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
247 FORD
10

374 FINAXCE AXD SX T PPLY

(15) Report of trip of Ford ambulances from Washington, D. C, to Detroit, Mich., and

return, September 10-26, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
247 FORD
10

(16) Telegram from Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, Sanitary Corps, N. A., to Mr. C. W. Avery, Ford

Motor Oar Co.. Detroit, Mich., September 30, 1918, relative to new design Ford

ambulance. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — — ■

(17) First indorsement, War Department, The Adjutant General's Office, to the Motor

Vehicle Board, Seventh and B Streets, seventh wing, first floor, Washington, D. C,
October 18, 1918, approving recommendations relative to standardizing new-type

Ford ambulance. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., „ — —

(18) Telegram from Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, Sanitary Corps, N. A., to Capt. W. G. Stoner,

Office of the Surgeon General, Washington, D. C, September 6, 1918. Subject:

91^ T^O R D
Ford ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^j — '

(19) Paragraph 4, Cable 183-S, Headquarters, A. E. F., to The Adjutant General, Washing-

ton, D. C, September 27, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Cables — France.

(20) Paragraph 1-B, Cable 466-S, Headquarters, A. E. F., to The Adjutant General, Wash-

ington, D. C, January 8, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Cables — France.

(21) Paragraph 5, Cable 1258-S, Headquarters, A. E. F., to The Adjutant General, Wash-

ington, D. C, June 6, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Cables —
France.

(22) Paragraph 3, Cable 1237-S, June 3, 1918, repeated in paragraph 2 -A, Cable 1376, June

27, 1918, Headquarters, A. E. F., to The Adjutant General. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., Cables — France.

(23) Paragraph 1-C, Cable 1306-S, Headquarters, A. E. F., to The Adjutant General, Wash-

ington, D. C, June 14, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. F. O.,
Cables — France.

(24) Paragraph 7-A, Cable 1407-S, Headquarters, A. E. F., to The Adjutant General,

Washington, D. C, July 3, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Cables — France.

(25) Paragraph 4, Cable 1566-S, Headquarters, A. E. F., to the Adjutant General, Wash-

ington, D. C, August 6, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Cables — France.

(26) Paragraph 1-A, Cab'.e 1606-S, Headquarters, A. E. F., to The Adjutant General, Wash-

ington D. C, August 17, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Cables — France.

(27) Paragraph 2, Cable 161 1-S, Headquarters, A. E. F., to The Adjutant General, Wash-

ington, D. C, August 19, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Cables — France.

(28) Estimates covering U. S. standard ambulances and other motor equipment required

by the Medical Department, United States Army, by Walter T. Fishleigh, major,
Sanitary Corps, N. A., August 1, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Estimates, Motor Transport.

CHAPTER XXIV
MOTOR CYCLES

The various acts of Congress appropriating funds for the support of the
Army during the fiscal years 1917-1919, ' inclusive, beginning with the act of
August 29, 1916, contained a provision under the title "Medical and Hospital
Department," for the purchase of motor cycles as well as motor ambulances
for medical service. The previous acts had provided for motor ambulances
but not for motor cycles. The Indian motor cycle with side car, military model
NE, manufactured by the Hendee Manufacturing Co., of Springfield, Mass.,
was adopted as the standard of the Medical Department. No'other type was
purchased for its use.

The first contract for motor cycles was placed with the Hendee Manufac-
turing Co. June 14, 1917. 2 This contract called for 120 motor cycles with side
cars, at $345. 53 for each complete outfit; 120 sets rider's spare parts, at $9.52
per set; 20 sets field spare parts each for 6 machines, at $67.82 per set; 5 sets
field spare parts for each 36 machines, at $1,202.15 per'^set; and one base
spare parts set for 120 machines, at $7,549.33. Itimization of these sets was
a part of the contract.

The second contract placed with the Hendee Manufacturing Co. was
dated June 25, 1917. 3 This contract called for 500 motor cycles, at $286.50
each; 500 side cars, at $74 each; and 500 sets rider's spare parts, at $10.05 the
set. Provision was made for crating these machines for overseas shipment
at an additional cost of $4 per motor cycle and $6 per side car. The aggregate
cost of the complete vehicle crated for overseas shipment was $380.55.

Three additional contracts for motor cycles with side cars and rider's spare
parts were placed by the Medical Department with the Hendee Manufacturing
Co., aggregating 800 machines. The prices in these three contracts remained
the same as those in the contract of June 25, 1917, above noted. The dates of
these contracts and the number of machines on each were, September 14, 1917,
100; 4 November 23, 1917, 100; 5 January 10, 1918, 600."

The purchase and technical supervision of motor-propelled vehicles had
been devolved by General Orders, No. 38, War Department, April 18, 1918,
upon the Motor Transport Service. Request was made upon that service,
June 20, 1918, to procure for the Medical Department 1,000 motor cycles with
side cars and the requisite quantity of spare parts A and B. 7 This request
called for Indian motor cycles or such other standard motor cycle as might
have been adopted by the motor transport board.

Increasing numbers of troops in France resulting from increased transpor-
tation facilities during the summer of 1918, called for a revision of the estimated
requirements of the Medical Department for motor cycles. Revised estimates
were submitted to the Motor Transport Service early in August of that year. 8

375

376 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Under these new estimates that service was requested to supply, during the
period July 1, 1918, to December 31, 1918,4,606 motor cycles with side cars
with spare parts A, 40 sets spare parts B, 32 complements spare parts D, and
6 complements spare parts C. The C complements were for domestic depot
stock and the D complements for overseas depot stock.

These contracts included a set of rider's spare parts, later known as motor
cycle spare parts A, for each machine purchased. A list of factory parts and
tools suitable for five motor cycles and side cars had been made up in the lat-
ter part of 1917 and designated motor cycle equipment B. This set was
intended to provide for roadside repairs for the motor cycles in the same man-
ner as the ambulance spare parts B provided for the ambulances. This set
was to be carried in the spare parts car with each ambulance company. The
five motor cycles included the three with the ambulance company and the two
with its associated field hospital company. This set was afterwards carried in
the spare parts trailer.

Two contracts for spare parts B were placed with the Hendee Manufac-
turing Co. The first, dated December 31, 1917, called for 275 such sets at a
unit price of $388.43 per set. 9 Deliveries on this contract were rather slow in
coming in. They began April 22, 1918, and were completed by the end of the
following June. 9 The second contract was dated August 9, 1818, and called
for an extensive list of factory parts not assembled into unit sets . 10 Deliveries
on this contract were not completed until after the armistice had begun . u The
articles on this latter contract were intended for depot use and for issue within
the United States.

A similar arrangement was made with the Quartermaster Corps for the
supply of motor cycle spare parts overseas as obtained for ambulance spare parts.
The Quartermaster General advised the Surgeon General on December 21, 1917,
that ample provision had been made for Indian motor cycles shipped to France;
that provision had been made for base repair of this type of motor cycle; that
expert motor cycle mechanics had been provided in all the quartermaster
mechanical repair shops; that repairs to motor cycles with mobile units would
be made by mechanics with machine shop truck units; and that at least one
machine truck unit was attached to each division. 12

The Hendee Manufacturing Co. had a special representative make an
exhaustive inspection, during the early part of 1918, of all the Indian motor
cycles in service at a large number of camps. 13 This inspection included motor
cycles with the Quartermaster Corps as well as those with the Medical Depart-
ment. This representative found a great many machines in an unserviceable
condition awaiting the action of an inspector so that they might be turned in
for salvage or repair. Several causes were found for the unserviceable machines.
The greatest source of trouble was improper lubrication. The lubricating oil
was not of the proper grade. Bearings were burned out in less than 1,000 miles
due to this poor oil. The next cause in importance was lack of proper upkeep,
due to lack of capable mechanics and proper supervision. Most of the men
riding these machines had had no previous experience with any kind of a

MOTOR. VEHICLES 377

gasoline motor before they were assigned to the motor cycle. In only three
camps was there any supervision by the company officers of the use of these
machines. This resulted in extensive use of the vehicles for absolutely non-
official purposes. Difficulty was experienced in getting spare parts. Requisi-
tions for parts were not promptly filled. The instructions intended for the
information of the individual rider sent out from the motor ambulance supply
depot seldom reached the rider. The men actually using the machines failed to
receive proper instruction in their use. No one seemed to regard himself as
responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of motor cycles. The net result
was that the machines often were put into service improperly assembled ; were
not properly cared for, even lubricated; were placed in the custody of untrained
and ignorant drivers; and were kept going without supervision, maintenance,
or repair until they refused longer to run. Many machines were discarded
which, at comparatively small cost, could have been repaired and continued
in service. 13

Whether any of the difficulties experienced with this make of motor cycle
were due to defects in design or construction was not definitely determined.

REFERENCES

(1) Acts March 4, 1915 (38 Stats. 1079); August 29, 1916 (39 Stats. 639); May 12, 1917

(40 Stats. 60); June 15, 1917 (40 Stats. 196); October 6, 1917 (40 Stats. 364); June
4, 1918 (40 Stats. 597): July 9, 1918 (40 Stats. 865); November 4, 1918 (Stats. 1030).

(2) Contract of June 14, 1917, between Maj. Percy L. Jones, M. C, and the Hendee Manu-

facturing Co., of Springfield, Mass., for 120 motor cycles with side cars and spare
parts. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport Contracts,
No. 356.

(3) Contract of June 25, 1917, between Lieut. Col. C. R. Darnall, M. C, and the Hendee

Manufacturing Co., Springfield, Mass., for 500 each motor cycles, side cars, and sets
rider's spare parts. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport
Contracts, No. 398.

(4) Contract of September 14, 1917, between Maj. M. A. Reasoner, M. C, and the Hendee

Manufacturing Co., Springfield, Mass., for 100 each motor cycles, side cars, and
rider's spare parts. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport
Contracts, No. 1571.

(5) Contract of November 23, 1917, between Maj. M. A. Reasoner, M. C, and the Hendee

Manufacturing Co., Springfield, Mass., for 100 each motor cycles, side cars, and
rider's spare parts. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport
Contracts No. 2283.

(6) Contract of January 10, 1918, between Maj. John B. Fletcher, M. C, and the Hendee

Manufacturing Co., Springfield Mass., for 600 each motor cycles, side cars, and
rider's spare parts. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Trans-
port Contracts, No. 3193.

(7) Letter from the Surgeon General, to the Director, Motor Transport Service, War

Department, June 20, 1918. Subject: Motorcycles. On file, Finance and Supply

tv • • □ n r* 750-594
Division, S. G. O., ^

(8) Letter from the Surgeon General, to the Quartermaster General, U. S. Army, Motor

Transport Service, Procurement Division, August 8, 1918. Subject: Requirement

of motor ambulances, motor cycles, and equipment for Medical Department. On

750—519
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., „

378 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(9) Contract of December 31, 1917, between Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, and the
Hendee Manufacturing Co., Springfield, Mass., for 275 sets of equipment for Indian
motor cycles. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Contracts,
No. 3163.

(10) Contract of August 9, 1918, between Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, and the Hendee

Manufacturing Co., Springfield, Mass., for motor cycle spare parts. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport Contracts, No. 6930.

(11) Voucher 5723, March, 1919, accounts Maj. C. E. Gray, Q. M. C. On file, Miscella-

neous Section, Finance Department.

(12) Letter from the Quartermaster General, to the Surgeon General, December 21, 1917.

Subject: Motor cycle spare parts and repairs. On file, Finance and Supply Divi-

_ „ _ 750-594
sion, S. G. O., — si

(13) Letter from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulances Supply Depot, Louis-

ville, Ky., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., April 27, 1918. Subject:

713-440

Motor cycle difficulties. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ^rs

1 • ' 34<

CHAPTER XXV

SPARE PARTS; SUPPLIES

SPARE PARTS

The influence which an adequate supply of spare parts would have upon
the ambulance service was early appreciated. It was one of the principal
reasons, even before the declaration of war, for the decision to have but one
standard chassis and one standard body. It was obvious that all spare parts
should be uniform and applicable to any standard vehicle. But one series of
such supplies would need to be kept. Promptness and efficiency of supply
would be facilitated. The material difficulties and aggravating delays experi-
enced in providing with spare parts the few ambulances operating on the
Mexican border in 1916 had been keenly felt by everyone in any way
connected with the ambulances. The need for these parts from the beginning
of the World War, as had been anticipated, was very great. At no time before
the signing of the armistice had this need been fully met. But, great as was
the need for "parts" to keep the machines running, the need for whole
machines to run was greater. These machines were so sturdy and so well
built that apparently only great violence or the grossest neglect could cause
an early need for spare parts. From June to October, 1917, every effort was
made to get ambulances to the camps and to the organizations awaiting
transportation overseas.

To systematize the supply, spare parts and accessories were divided into
two classes, A and B. Class A parts were issued to and carried on the
individual ambulance. They consisted of factory parts and accessories. The
factory parts were obtained from the General Motors Truck Co., and consisted
of spark plugs and fan belts. The accessories consisted of miscellaneous
articles needed in the operation of the vehicle — tires, inner tubes, tire chains,
fire extinguishers, canvas buckets, grease guns, and the like.

The class B parts were more extensive and comprehensive. They included
all articles likely to be needed in making such repairs as could be made along
the roadside by a skilled automobile mechanic. All ordinary engine, axle, dif-
ferential, transmission, ignition, and cooling system trouble could be repaired,
using these parts. It was not contemplated that major repairs would be at-
tempted at the roadside. All ambulances requiring extensive repairs or over-
hauling were to be either salvaged or sent to the nearest repair shop. The
class B set of spare parts included an extensive list of factory parts and a lot
of miscellaneous articles — tools, funnels, lanterns, bolts, and the like.

There was another group of spare parts known as class C, carried as depot
stocks and used to supply ambulances not attached to divisions, and to
replenish the class B set. The entire list was not completed until May, 1918.

379

380

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

SPARE PARTS CAR

The spare parts B set was at first carried on a spare parts car. This car
consisted of a modified ambulance body mounted on a standard ^-ton model
'16 General Motors Co. chassis. It had a cabinet placed crosswise of the body
just behind the driver's seat. This cabinet had drawers and compartments for
the various small parts, tools, and accessories. Back of this cabinet was a
clear space of sufficient extent to permit the opening of any or all of the
drawers. The top of the cabinet was of suitable height and size for a small
workbench. Back of the clear space and extending to the tail gate were fold-
ing seats for carrying sitting cases in emergencies. The more bulky spare parts

Fig. 28. — Spare parts trailer, side view

were carried in this space when on the road. In general appearance, when
the side curtains were down, this spare parts car could not be distinguished
from an ambulance. It was intended to provide the ambulance company
with a roadside repair shop.

SPARE PARTS TRAILER

Further information of conditions at the front led to the conclusion that
this type of vehicle was not the most suitable for carrying spare parts. It was
expensive and bulky, took one chassis from its prime function, was as liable to
be disabled as any other chassis in the unit, and when so disabled would be of
very little use to the company. Other means of transportation were investigated.
After making due allowances for the difficulties in towing a trailer, it was decided

MOTOR VEHICLES

381

that the adva tages to be derived from carrying the spare parts B in a specially
designed trailer, were sufficient to justify suhtituting it for the spare parts car.
Such a trailer would be smaller and more compact; would cost less than half
that of the car; could be towed by any of the ambulances to a disabled car or
place; the ambulance which towed it out could resume its normal function; and
the trailer could be towed in by the disabled car after the latter had been
repaired.

Work on the design of such a trailer was begun at the ambulance supply
depot at Louisville early in 1918. ' A satisfactory model both as to chassis
and body had been developed by the end of March 2 and contracts for 300 were
let during April. 3 As with the standard ambulance, the chassis was obtained
from one manufacturer, the body from another, and the assembling was done
at Louisville. Deliveries of chassis began in April and were completed in
August. Delivery of bodies began in May and was completed in July. 4 Such
articles of the B set as it was intended should be carried in the trailer were

Fig. 29.— Spare parts trailer, front view

packed therein at the Louisville ambulance supply depot. The trailer and all
the remaining articles in the B set were then inclosed in a suitable box, if for
overseas shipment, or in a suitable crate if intended for domestic shipment. 5

Of the trailers boxed for export, 140 were placed in transit to the over-
seas forces during the months July to October, inclusive, 1918. 6 There is no
record of the number of them which reached their destination. Such of them as
were actually placed in service overseas proved very convenient and gave satis-
faction. Within the United States 75 trailers were distributed to the various

382

FINAXCE ASD SUPPLY

camps and stations having ambulances in numbers equivalent to an ambulance
company. 6

Material difficulty was experienced in securing both factory parts and the
miscellaneous accessory articles. Instructions were issued May 29, 1917, for
the purchase of 2,000 sets of spare parts equipment A, 200 sets of equipment
B, and 12 sets of equipment for groups of 52 ambulances. 7 It was not until
the beginning of August that the purchasing officer was able to report that he
had succeeded in completing negotiations for the factory parts. Even then
the miscellaneous or nonfactory parts had not been secured. 8 Contract for
these factory parts was finally signed and was approved in the Surgeon General's
Office on August 13. 9 Instructions were given to have these spare parts

Fig. 30. — Spare parts trailer, rear view

assembled in sets and each set packed in a separate container 10 for facility in
in shipment. The first delivery of factory spare parts B was received at the
Louisville ambulance supply depot October 1, 1917, neatly packed in a single
box 68 inches by 28 inches by 15 inches, weighing 625 pounds net. 11 Deliver-
ies of 35 sets B and 932 sets A had been completed by December 15, 1917. 12
Twenty sets B parts and 350 sets A parts were shipped to France in Novem-
ber, 1917. n

Another contract for 3,000 sets spare parts A and 305 sets spare parts B,
with a large quantity of articles for depot stock, was made with the General
Motors Truck Co. in November, 1917. Deliveries on this contract began in
February, 1918, and were finally completed August 24, 1918. 14

MOTOR VEHICLES

383

384

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Even greater difficulties were experienced in the earlier procurements of the
miscellaneous accessory components of both the A and B sets. Advertisements
for bids brought very few replies. Deliveries promised were slow and prices
high. Finally, after much canvassing, satisfactory bids were received and con-
tracts let. Deliveries were made in conformity with the contract stipulations. 15

A somewhat different policy was followed in providing spare parts for
ambulances overseas. For each General Motors Co. ambulance sent overseas
a complete set of parts A was furnished. Some 50 sets of spare parts B were
furnished, in addition to those in the 140 trailers previously mentioned. 16
These parts, however, were slow in being delivered.

Arrangements were made with the Quartermaster General in September,
1917, for the quartermaster depots in France to carry an adequate supply of

Fig. 32. — Spare parts trailer, road side set up

factory parts, General Motors Co., 17 as well as Ford. These parts were to be
secured by the ambulance companies in France and settlement made by Treas-
ury transfer of funds. The lists of factory parts prepared by the Quartermaster
Corps contemplated practically one car in parts for every 25 cars sent over. 17
Spare parts for the maintenance of 800 General Motors Co. ambulances and
3,200 Ford ambulances were ordered through the depot quartermaster Septem-
ber 22, 1917. 18 The General Motors Truck Co. promised shipments to France by
the end of November, 1917, in quantities to meet immediate requirements. 19
The purchase of miscellaneous equipment for 900 ambulances was authorized
by the Quartermaster General December 22, 1917. 20 This equipment was to
be boxed for export, addressed to motor transport repair shops, Quartermaster
Corps, United States Expeditionary Forces, marked "Miscellaneous equipment,

MOTOR VEHICLES 385

ambulance service." The instructions to purchase directed that the equipment
he prepared for immediate shipment and the first complement shipped at the
earliest possible date. The remainder was to be shipped as soon thereafter as
practicable.

No record is discoverable of the quantity of the spare parts and miscellaneous
equipment which actually reached France and was issued to the troops. The
impression gathered from the correspondence and from conversations with
officers on duty with ambulance companies overseas indicates that there was
a chronic shortage of spare parts for the General Motors Co. ambulances, at
least with the ambulance companies.

SUPPLIES

GASOLINE, OILS AND GREASE

In the early days of the use of the motor ambulance in the Army, these
vehicles were operated in conjunction with motor vehicles of the Quarter-
master Corps. Gasoline, lubricating oils, and cup grease for them were secured
from the supply maintained by the local quartermaster. Settlement was made
by transfer of funds in the Treasury Department from the appropriation of the
Medical Department to those of the Quartermaster Corps. This was generally
more convenient for the officer in charge of the ambulances. Later, authority
was granted medical officers for the purchase of these commodities in the open
market when a better price could be obtained in that manner. 21

After the training camps were established arrangements were made with
the Quartermaster General to have the gasoline and lubricants required by
Medical Department motor vehicles in the camp obtained from the camp
quartermaster with transfer of funds. 22 This procedure was changed in February,
1918, and the supply of gasoline for all motor vehicles was devolved upon the
Quartermaster Corps without transfer of funds. 23

The Medical department was required from time to time to submit estimates
of its requirements in gasoline and lubricants. A comprehensive estimate was
made of gasoline and oil which would be required daily and monthly for the
motor ambulance service. Both Ford and General Motors Co. ambulance
and motor cycles as well, were included in this estimate. Since motor trucks
and touring cars were furnished by the Quartermaster Corps, the number of
vehicles which would be in use with Medical Department organizations was
given in the estimate. The requirements of those trucks and motor cars for
gasoline and oil were omitted. A copy of the estimate showing upon what it
was based appears below: 24

Estimate of gasoline and oil for motor ambulance service
1. United States Standard Ambulances (G. M. C.)

DATA AND ESTIMATE

One motor ambulance company: (12 ambulances and 1 spare parts car) cars.. 13

Motor ambulance companies per division 3

Company ambulances per division 39

Base hospitals per division 4

Motor ambulances attached to each base hospital 3

Base hospital ambulances per division 12

30663—28 25

386

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Motor ambulance convoy for 2 divisions companies __ 5

Convoy ambulances per division (65 for 2 divisions)

Total motor ambulances per division

Estimated average daily mileage 70

Estimated average mileage per gallon of gasoline 8

Estimated average mileage per gallon of lubricating oil 200

Estimated transmission and differential oil per 3,000 miles gallon.. 1

Estimated cup grease per carper day pound. _ J4

33

84

Per standard ambulance, per day

Per standard ambulance, per month

Per standard ambulance company, per day

Per standard ambulance company, per month.
Per division, per day.

Quantities

Gasoline

Gallon a
8.75

262. 6

114
3,420

735

Per division, per month 22,050

Lubri-

cat ing
oil

Gallons
0.35
10.5
4.5
135
30
900

Trans-
mission
and dif-
ferential
oil

Gallon*

~~~6.T

Cup

grease

100
21
630

2. Ford Ambulances

data and estimate

One Ford motor ambulance company (20 Ford ambulances (1 Quartermaster Corps

spare parts Ford truck)) 20

Total number Ford ambulance companies, Nov. 1 169

Total number Ford ambulances 3, 380

Estimated average daily mileage 50

Estimated average mileage per gallon of gasoline 12

Estimated average mileage per gallon of lubricating oil 150

Estimated differential oil per 3,000 miles gallon. .

Estimated cup grease per car per day pound. _

Per Ford ambulance per day

Per Ford ambulance per month

Per Ford ambulance company per day...
Per Ford ambulance company per month

Total, 3,380 Ford ambulances per day

Total, 3,380 Ford ambulances per month.

Quantities

Gasoline

Lubricat-
ing oil

Differen-
tial oil

Cup

grease

Gallons

4.2

136

84

2, 520

14,100

423,000

Gallons

H

10

6.7

201

1,127

33, 810

Gallons

Pou nds

H
%

5

28
840

5

150

845

26, 350

3. Motor Cycles

data and estimates

Number of motor cycles attached to 1 standard ambulance company 3

Number of motor cycles attached to standard ambulance companies per division 9

Number of motor cycles attached to field hospital per division 8

Total motor cycles per division 17

Estimated average daily mileage 100

Estimated average mileage per gallon of gasoline 30

Estimated average mileage per gallon of lubricating oil 400

MOTOR VEHICLES

387

Quantities

Gasoline

Lubricat-
ing oil

Per motor cycle per day

Per motor cycle per month

Per standard ambulance company per day

Per standard ambulance company per month

Per division, per day

Per division, per month. .

Gallons Gallons

1(X)

10

300

57

1,710

0. 26

127.:.

4. Monthly Overseas Quantity Estimate

Gasoline

Lubri-
cating oil

Trans-
mission
and Dif-
ferential
oil

Cup

grease

Gallon*
423. oon

Gallons
33,810

Gallons
840

Pounds
25, 350

For 1 division:

22, OSO
1,710

900
127

00

23.700

1,027

For 10 divisions:

220. 500
17,100

9.000
1,270

000

0,300

237,000

10. 270

For 40 divisions:

882, 000
08. 400

30,0(10
5,080

2,400

25, 200

950, 400

41,080

1,600

Note. — The above quantity estimates cover Medical Department ambulances and motor cycles. In addition
thereto, gasoline and oils must be provided for the Quartermaster Corps touring cars and trucks regularly attached to
the ambulance companies or hospitals, as follows:
(a) Touring cars:

Per ambulance company — - 1

Per Division — 3

Per each of 3 field hospitals -- 1

Per division _ 3

Total touring cars per division 6

(6) Trucks:

Per Ambulance company — 3

Per division -- 9

Per each of 3 field hospitals 11

Per division 33

Total trucks per division. __ ... 42

(<■) Ford 1-ton Trucks:

Attached to each Ford ambulance company or spare parts car ... 1

Number attached to 1G9 Ford companies . ._ 109

5. Monthly United States Quantity Estimate.

Number of camps and cantonments 33

Number of standard ambulance companies per camp 2

Number of standard ambulances and spare parts cars per camp 26

Total standard ambulances and spare parts cars at camps 858

Estimated ambulances in United States not at camps 330

Total in United States 1.188

Number of motor cycles per ambulance company 3

Total motor cycles at camps 198

388

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Quantities

Gasoline

Lubri-
cating
oil

Trans-
mission

and
differen-
tial oil

Cup

grease

Based on estimates undei (1) and (3):

1, 188 standard United States ambulances and spare parts cars .

198 motor cycles _

Gallons.

311, 850
19,800

Gallons.
12, 474
1,485

Gallons.
832

Pounds.
8,910

331 , 650

13, 959

Note.— The above quantity estimates cover Medical Department ambulances and motor cycles, In addition
thereto, gasoline and oils must be provided for the Quartermaster Corps touring cars and trucks regularly attached to
the ambulance companies or hospitals in the United States.

Summary of the Total Requirements op the Ambulance Service per Month

Vehicle

For 40 divisions:

G. M, C. ambulances and motorcycles
3,380 Ford ambulances

Total

Gasoline

Gallons
950, 400
423,000

1,373,400

Lubri-
cating oil

Trans-
mission
and dif-
ferential
oil

Gallons ] Gallons
41.080 2,400

33, 800 840

75, 907

3,240

Cup
grease

Pounds
25,200
25, 350

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louis-

ville, Ky., to Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, Sanitary Corps, N. A., S. G. O., February 20,
1918. Subject: Spare parts trailer. On file, Finance and Supplv Division, S. G. O.,
713-440
207

(2) Letter from the Surgeon General to Maj. J. P. Fletcher, M. C, Louisville, Ky., March

25,1918. Subject: Special delivery letter. On file. Finance and Supply Division
„ „ 713-44

S. G. O, 230 "

(3) Contracts dated April 17, 1918, between Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, and the Trail-

mobile Co. of Cinncinati, Ohio, for 300 trailer chassis. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport Contract, 4669. Also: Contract dated
April 13, 1918, between Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, and Glasscock Bros. Co., of
Muncie, Ind., for 300 trailer bodies. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Motor Transport Contract, 4596.

(4) Louisville Motor Ambulance Supply Weekly Reports, April to August, 1918, inclusive.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 71 ^ 40 -

(5) Letter from the Surgeon General to Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Louisville, Ky.,

April 29, 1918. Subject: Boxing of spare parts trailer. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., — =^?-

zoo

(6) Louisville Daily Shop Records, July to October, inclusive, 1918. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., - ^ 40 -

MOTOR VEHICLES 389

(7) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, D. C, May 29, 1917. Subject: Spare parts for ambulances. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 11,220.260.

(8) Letter from the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot, Washington, D. C., to

the Surgeon General, August 3, 1917. Subject: Spare parts. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 11,220.260.

(9) Contracts dated July 9, 1917, between Capt. John P. Fletcher, M. C., and the General

Motors Truck Co., of Pontiac, Mich., for spare parts for model 16 chassis and for
model 15 chassis. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport
Contracts, 868 and 870.

(10) Letter from Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., to Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor

Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., September 22, 1917. Subject: Depot affairs.

7 1 3—440
On file, Finance and Supply Division S. G. O., ]f jc

(11) Letters from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Louisville, Ky., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe,

M. C, S. G. O., September 24, 1917, and October 2, 1917. Subject: Motor ambu-

7 1 3—440
lances and spare parts. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — jg„ —

(12) Statement of deliveries attached to contract No. 3849, December 27, 1917, between

Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, and the General Motors Truck Co., modifying con-
tract No. 870. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport
Contracts.

(13) Telegram from the Surgeon General to Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville,

Ky., November 8, 1917, directing shipment of spare parts to Newport News, Va.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ... —

(14) Contract dated November 30, 1917, between Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, and the

General Motors Truck Co. for spare parts and schedule of deliveries and payments
attached thereto. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Transport
Contracts, 2324.

(15) Letters from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louis-

ville, Ky., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., October 22, 1917, and Decem-
ber 27, 1917. Subject: Motor ambulances and spare parts. On file, Finance and

o i t^- ■ • a o ^ 713-440 , 713-440
Supply Division, S. G. O., - gfpx - and — [33 —

(16) Louisville Daily Spare Parts Reports, July to October, 1918. On file, Finance and

713-440
Supply Division, S. G. O., — ttj2 —

(17) Letter from Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., to Maj. John P. Fletcher, ML C,

Louisville, Ky., October 22, 1917. Subject: Motor ambulances and spare parts.

713-440
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., qq,_^ •

(18) Letter from Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, Sanitary Corps, N. A., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe,

M. C, S. G. O., October 16, 1917. Subject: Ambulance spare parts status. On

250
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -jg--

(19) Second indorsement from Depot Quartermaster, Chicago 111., to the Surgeon General,

October 27, 1917, relative to G. M. C. spare parts for France. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., — — ■

18

390 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(20) Letter from the Quartermaster General, authorization No., Washington, 5077, to the

Depot Quartermaster, Washington, D. C, December 22, 1917. Subject: Purchase of

miscellaneous equipment for ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

„ „ n 750-594 Q. M. G.
S. G. O., -^j- - •

(21) Circular 74J/£, Office of the Department Surgeon, Southern Department, October 4, 1916.

(22) Par. 134J4 1916 Supplement to Compilation of Orders, Changes No. 5, November 24,

1917.

(23) Par. 134J^, 1916 Supplement to Compilation of Orders, Changes No. 7, March 14, 1918.

(24) Estimate of gasoline and oil required by the Medical Department for Motor Ambulance

Service, compiled October 24, 1917, by Maj. Walter T. Fishleigh, Sanitary Corps,

239 W X T* 1
S. G. O. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ~ — - -"•

CHAPTER XXVI
CONSOLIDATION OF PROCUREMENT

Until July, 1918, the Medical Department purchased its motor ambulances
and motor cycles; thereafter its procurement of motor vehicles was consolidated
with that of other bureaus. 1

During the early months of 1918 the question of consolidation of procure-
ment began to receive more and more attention by the War Department.
Motor vehicles were among the first to attract attention as a suitable commodity
for the application of the principle of consolidated procurement. A proposal
was put forward in March for consolidation of the procurement of motor
vehicles under the Ordnance Department. The Surgeon General, to whom a
copy of the proposal was referred, commented thereon in substance as follows: 2

The production of motor vehicles for the Medical Department handled by
its own organization was, at the time, proceeding satisfactorily in quality,
quantity, and time. If it were to be taken over by another department, an
organization, preferably the same, with direct authority and responsibility for
the whole problem of design, specification, purchase, production, inspection, and
acceptance of motor ambulances, would be absolutely necessary for success.
In the plan proposed, the production of motor ambulances would be under
various divisions, all with overlapping and conflicting authority, and none with
direct and full authority or responsibility for the complete project. The prob-
lem of procurement of motor vehicles seemed to be too large for efficient con-
centration under one office or detail directing head. Separation into various
divisions, each one handling the procurement of a distinct type of motor vehicle,
would at once be necessary. Each such division would require its own techni-
cal staff. No advantage would be gained by having these several divisions
under any one bureau. The organization of the Medical Department for the
procurement of motor ambulances was based upon the principle of direct
authority and responsibility.

It was finally decided by the War Department, April, 1918, to consolidate
the procurement of all motor vehicles under the Motor Transport Service of
the Quartermaster Corps, except certain special Artillery vehicles left with the
Ordnance Department. 3

Although the order creating the Motor Transport Service was issued April
18, 1918, that service was not sufficiently organized to function until the 21st
of the following May. 4 Even then it was not ready to assume the duties
imposed upon it. That service assumed charge of the purchase, production,
and inspection of motor ambulances July 1, 1918. ' The personnel and organi-
zations of the Medical Department had continued to perform their duties in
connection with ambulance production during the interval between the date of

392 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

issue of the order and the actual assumption of duties by the Motor Transport
Service. 1

In the following August the procedure relative to motor ambulances was
again changed. A separate and independent agency under the title of Motor
Transport Corps was created and its functions were defined in General Orders,
No. 75, War Department, August 15, 1918. The order creating the Motor
Transport Service was rescinded by General Orders, No. 75, and a part of that
service passed automatically to the Motor Transport Corps. Practically all
the personnel of the Medical Department formerly engaged on the production
and inspection of ambulance bodies and chassis were attached to the Motor
Transport Corps 5 and continued to perform those duties until production was
stopped by the signing of the armistice.

It was the intention of General Orders, No. 75, to devolve upon the Motor
Transport Corps the design, production, procurement, and reception of all motor
vehicles, spare and repair parts, tools, accessories, and supplies for motor vehicles
as well as the storage, maintenance, replacement, and accounting for the same.
However, before the Motor Transport Corps could take over these functions
an order was issued by the purchase, storage, and traffic division, General Staff,
which divested that corps of them. 6 That order directed that on and after
September 6, 1918, the Quartermaster Corps was to have sole charge for the
Army of making all purchases, following production, conducting inspection, and
making acceptance of and payment for all motor-propelled vehicles of whatso-
ever kind, type, or description, including chassis, bodies, loads, and accessories,
except as might be modified by mutual agreement between the procuring and
issuing bureaus and approved by the director of purchase, storage, and traffic.

Paragraph 7, General Orders, No. 75, provided for the transfer to the Motor
Transport Corps of all motor vehicles regardless of the original sources of their
procurement. As a preliminary to that transfer the following telegram was
sent out August 27, 1918, by The Adjutant General of the Army to the com-
manding generals of all territorial departments, training camps, and ports of
embarkation and to commanding officers of all stations exempted from the
control of department commanders. 7

Preparatory to organization of Motor Transport Corps issue immediate instructions
by telegraph to accountable officers of all staff corps under your command to make physical
inventory of all bicycles, motor cycles, automobiles, trailers, and trucks with present
equipment, also spare and repair parts, tools, garages, shops, parks, etc. After inventory
completed careful record to be made of all transactions affecting disposition of vehicles and
property. All cargo carrying chassis hereby classed as trucks. Caterpillar type tractors
designed primarily for traction purposes and tanks excepted. Ordnance Department charged
with procurement and maintenance these as heretofore. Direct subordinates exercise
extreme accuracy and promptness to permit transfer of property by invoice and receipt
about first proximo. Designate officers at each station to act as Motor Transport Corps
officer to be accountable officer. Inventory should show make and type of vehicles, serial
numbers of chassis and motor numbers, cost date of procurement, by whom purchased, cost of
repairs, conditions, and remarks. This data necessary for vehicle descriptive cards. Chiefs
of bureaus have been advised.

In order to effect the details of the transfer of motor vehicles procured by
the Medical Department, a conference was held among representatives of the
Surgeon General's Office and the Motor Transport Corps, September 4, 1918,

MOTOR VEHICLES 393

at which it was aggreed that all motor vehicles were to be invoiced to Motor
Transport Corps and that accountability was to be made to the Chief of Motor
Transport Corps by organizations concerned. 8 It was decided that ambulance
bodies, mobile operating bodies, and other special bodies were to be purchased
by the Motor Transport Corps on designs and specifications furnished by the
Surgeon General. That the Medical Department, when desirable, was to send
inspectors and liaison officers to factories where bodies were being manufactured.
That bodies were to be installed on chassis by the Motor Transport Corps and
chassis and bodies shipped or delivered to any point designated by the Medical
Department. That chassis and bodies were to be accounted for to the Motor
Transport Corps. That special equipment was to be purchased and installed
on bodies by Medical Department; or when so requested by Medical Depart-
ment, Motor Transport Corps was to install special equipment in Motor
Transport Corps shops. That chassis and bodies were to be repaired and
maintained by the Motor Transport Corps and that special equipment of bodies
was to be maintained and repaired by Medical Department, except that when
so requested by Medical Department Motor Transport Corps shops were to make
repairs not requiring special technical skill and tools not available in Motor
Transport Corps shops. That the ambulance depot at Louisville was to be
transferred to the Motor Transport Corps to operate. That ambulances to be
overhauled were to be sent to the Louisville depot shops as formerly.

The workings of this plan are set forth in the following indorsement from
the Surgeon General, November 1, 1918. 9

Paragraph 7, General Orders, No. 75, August 15, 1918, requires all motor vehicles and
their spare parts, tools, and accessories purchased by other staff corps or services to be
turned over to and invoiced to the Motor Transport Corps, and paragraph 9 of the same
order makes this transfer effective August 31, 1918.

Immediately upon the accomplishment of this transfer, which is purely a paper trans-
action, the motor vehicles so transferred will be at once reissued by the Motor Transport
Corps officer on memorandum receipt to the responsible officers by whom the vehicles have
been used, and under whose control they have been operated.

Inasmuch as the Motor Transport Corps is charged witli the maintenance of all motor
vehicles, the spare parts and accessories transferred from the Medical Department to that
corps will be expended or utilized in making repairs of the appropriate vehicles by the
Motor Transport Corps.

All trucks and touring cars in use by the Medical Department and which have hitherto
been regarded as the property of the Quartermaster Corps, whether they are purchased by that
corps or donated to the Federal Government and formally accepted by an officer thereof,
are likewise transferred to the Motor Transport Corps under the provision of the before
mentioned General Orders, No. 75.

In conformity with the requirements of paragraph 9 of the above quoted
General Order No. 75, a list of the personnel of the Medical Department en-
gaged in the design, purchase, inspection, and operation of motor ambulances
and other motor vehicles of the Medical Department was furnished The Adju-
tant General, August 30, 1918, divided into two groups, those to be transferred
to the Motor Transport Corps and those to be retained in the Medical De-
partment. The former group included 11 officers, 41 enlisted men, and 12
civilian employees. The latter group included 18 officers, 30 enlisted men,

394 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

and 3 civilian employees. 10 Of this latter group, 8 officers, and 8 enlisted men
were recommended later for transfer to the Motor Transport Corps."

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the officer in charge General Motors

Truck Co., Pontiac Mich., July 23, 1918. Subject: Reports and correspondence

relating to production and inspection of motor ambulances. On file, Finance and

a . tv • • a n r> 750-519 M. T. C.
Supply Division, S. O. O., ^

(2) Memorandum for the Chief of Staff, March 29, 1918, from Col. C. R. Darnall, M. C,

S. G. O. Subject: Proposed consolidation of procurement of motor vehicles in the

, _,. . . „ „ „ 750-138 C.S.
Ordnance Department. On file, l< mance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — 45^A *

(3) General Orders, No. 38, W. D., April 18, 1918.

(4) Letter from the Quartermaster General to the Surgeon General of the Army, May 16,

1918. Subject: Designation of representation to Motor Transport Service. On

e, t,- ^ a , tv • a n r, 750-5 90 Q. M. G .
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. (j. U., j^s — — "

(5) Letter from the Surgeon General of the Army, August 30, 1918, to The Adjutant Gen-

eral of the Army. Subject: Motor Transport Corps. On file, Finance and Supply

_.. . . „ „ „ 750-519 M. T. C.
Division, S. G. O., , — —

(6) Supply Circular No. 87, Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division, General Staff, Sep-

tember 5, 1918. Subject: Consolidation of procurement motor-propelled vehicles.

(7) Telegram from The Adjutant General to Commanding General, Camp Fremont, Palo

Alto, August 27, 1918. Subject: Motor Transport Corps. On file, Finance and
Q , tv . . a n r . 750-1 4 A. G.

Supply Division, S. G. ()., =ttjt ■

(8) Memorandum from Lieut. Col. B. F. Nuther, M. T. C, to Colonel Drake, September

4, 1918. Subject: Conference with Surgeon General in regard to G. O., No. 75, W.

D., 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. ()., TffX — — '

(9) First indorsement, Surgeon General, to the surgeon, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken,

N. J., November 1, 1918. Subject: Motor Transport Corps. On file, Finance and

o ! t^- • • o r, ^ 583-340 Hoboken.
Supply Division, S. G. O., — tjr

(10) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, August 30, 1918. Sub-

ject: Motor Transport Corps. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
750-519 M . T. C .
1

(11) Letter from the Acting Surgeon to The Adjutant General, October 3, 1918. Subject:

Transfer of personnel to Motor Transport Corps under G. O. No. 75. On file,

„. . Q , n. - • a r- r. 750-519 M. T. C .
finance and supply Division, S. U. O., ^— f ■

CHAPTER XXVII
OVERSEAS SHIPMENTS

It was early manifest that if equipment were to be shipped to the Ameri-
can Expeditionary Forces in quantities commensurate with the needs, it must
be condensed into the smallest possible bulk, even at the expense of more exten-
sive assembly at ports of debarkation. It was also evident, for the same reason,
that shipments of building material for shops and warehouses would be very
limited. Reports indicated a dearth of all kinds of building material in France.
These considerations led the Medical Department to the decision to ship all
standard ambulances, both chassis and bodies, in tight boxes of average lumber.
The size of the boxes in which the chassis were shipped was 186 inches long, 71
inches broad, and 32 inches high. They contained more than 255 board feet of
lumber, most of which, it was believed, would be in a serviceable condition
when the chassis were uncrated at their destination. This plan offered a means
of transporting to France a considerable quantity of lumber which could be
readily salvaged and used for building purposes. A motor ambulance assembly
unit, which was organized and sent to France, within a short time after its
arrival in France did erect its own assembly shops, using this material for the
purpose. 1

In boxing the chassis the wheels, steering column, dashboard, radiator, and
a few other parts were removed from the frame and secured within the box."
Many of the chassis boxed earlier lay out in the open, in storage, at ports of
embarkation awaiting tonnage space, or at ports of debarkation awaiting assem-
bly, where they were subjected to all kinds of weather conditions. It was but
natural that complaints of rusted parts should arise when they were unpacked
for assembling. A report from the commanding officer of the motor ambulance
assembly unit in France, received early in February, 1918, after 90 machines
had been assembled, indicated that the General Motors Co. chassis were in
very bad condition from rust and breakage. The boxes and machines showed
evidences of rough usage in transit. Broken compression plugs, drain cocks,
and radiator goosenecks were of common occurence. Frozen clutches were
numerous, due to rusting of the splines and plates. These clutches were very
difficult to loosen without dismantling and cleaning plates and splines. It was
recommended in this report that greater care be taken in packing, that all
parts be so firmly secured that they could not become loose in transit, and
that a heavy oil be applied to all moving parts to keep them from rusting. 1

Several months had elapsed between the boxing of these chassis for ship-
ment and the uncrating of them for assembly. During that interval most of

' See Figure 10

395

396 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

the defects reported, if not all of them, had been noted by the Medical Depart-
ment representative at the General Motors Truck Co. plant. Measures had
been taken to correct them and to produce a boxed chassis that would with-
stand even unreasonably rough usage in shipment. A copy of the report on
defects found in General Motors Co. ambulances mentioned in the preceding
paragraph was furnished the inspector at the General Motors Truck Co. plant
February 6, 191 8, 2 with instructions to take extra precautions and insure
additional strength in boxing. 3 Subsequent shipments appear to have arrived
in good condition.

That ambulances should arrive in France in as perfect condition as could
be effected was one of the determining factors in arriving at the decision to ship
them knocked down and boxed for export. Standing ambulances which had
been in service for training purposes in the several camps during the winter of
1917-18 had seen hard usage and were in poor mechanical condition. To ship
them overseas would not only require more shipping space but also a complete
overhaul and repair before shipment and would leave the camps short of ambu-
lance transportation. The winter had been severe, a majority of the machines
had been without shelter, and the drivers had been inexperienced. It was
decided, therefore, to leave them in the camps for the training of subsequent
organizations and to provide new ambulances for all divisions on their arrival
overseas. 4 The earlier policy had contemplated that National Guard organiza-
tions would take with them motor ambulances for two ambulance companies. 5
This was done because the Militia Bureau had provided funds for the purchase of
that amount of equipment. Ambulances for the third company were to be
provided in France. All ambulances for National Army divisions were to be
provided in France. 5 So far as can be ascertained very few used machines
were sent to France. Those few went with the earlier divisions embarking for
overseas service.

The policy of shipping motor trucks knocked down for overseas service was
extended to all shipments of such vehicles, as will appear from the following
instructions from the Quartermaster General, January 8, 1918 : 6

1. In order to conserve in every way possible transport space for the shipment of supplies-
and equipment for the forces abroad, instructions have been issued to the commanding gen-
eral of each of the ports of embarkation that all motor trucks, including their bodies, shall
be knocked down and crated. This work will be done on all trucks that have reached ports
of embarkation or are en route thereto.

2. It is therefore suggested that necessary instructions be issued, in connection with
motor trucks that may be furnished by your department, to have this crating done prior to
forwarding to ports of embarkation all shipments destined for overseas.

All the 2,400 Ford ambulances purchased on the contract of July 13, 1917,
except 50 for the United States Army ambulance service at Allentown, Pa.,
were shipped to France very rapidly. The Ford Motor Co. advised the Sur-
geon General, August 8, 1917, that 1,700 ambulances had already been shipped
and that the remainder of the order for 2,400 would be delivered by August 15/
The ambulance service at Allentown informed the Surgeon General that 50
ambulances had been received at that station for training purposes. 8 The
medical supply officer, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken, N. J., reported, Septem-
ber 24, 1917, that 2,218 Ford ambulances had been shipped to that date and

MOTOR VEHICLES 397

that 132 were on hand awaiting shipment. 9 These 132 ambulances were floated
shortly thereafter. A large part of these ambulances had arrived in France
before the end of September. 10 The sending of this large number of ambulances
at that time called forth a severe statement from the commander in chief,
November 24, 1917, that there were at that time many hundreds of these
machines in excess of the needs. 11 And yet these machines proved a blessing
in disguise. Approximately 500 of them were transferred to the Quartermaster
Corps, Engineer Corps, Signal Corps, and other services in France, 12 for truck
duty.

Of the 2,200 ambulances delivered under the first two contracts with the
General Motors Truck Co., it was estimated that 900 would be required for
domestic use. The remainder were to be sent overseas. 13 Increasing domestic
needs reduced the number for shipment overseas by approximately 200 cars. 14
The chassis alone weighed 2,878 pounds. The box in which it was packed
weighed approximately 1,200 pounds. The gross weight of the packed box
was 4,000 pounds. It occupied 245 cubic feet of space. This bulk could be
handled efficiently only by a crane, derrick, or other power machinery.

The first instructions for the shipment of General Motors Co. ambulances
to France were issued May 24, 1917, when it was directed that 48 model 15
chassis and as many bodies be boxed and held for shipment upon telegraphic
instructions. 15 This number was later reduced to 36, all of which appear to
have arrived in France. 16 The ambulance company accompanying the first
convoy took its assembled ambulances, Service Truck Company No. 120. 17

As soon as information was received concerning the prospective embarkation
of the 26th and 42d Divisions, instructions were issued for the shipment of 108
ambulances and 7 spare parts cars complete. 18 These ambulances were shipped
through Pier 45, North River, New York City, and were intended for Sanitary
Train Nos. 101 and 117, with the 26th and 42d Divisions, respectively. 18 The
next shipment was authorized October 25, 1917, and called for 120 chassis, 111
ambulance bodies, and 9 spare parts bodies boxed for export. They were
forwarded through the port of Baltimore. 19 Thereafter practically all ship-
ments of General Motors Co. chassis were made through the port of embarka-
tion at Newport News, Va. 20 By the end of November, 1917, 452 ambulances
had been placed in transit to the ports for shipment overseas. 21 From the 1st
of December, 1917, to the end of March, 1918, 120 more ambulances were
shipped. 22 By the end of June, 1918, 1,283 more ambulances had been for-
warded, of which 706 were shipped direct from the factories 23 and 577 from
storage (497 at Watertown, N. Y., 24 and 80 at Louisville, Ky. 25 ). Of the 577
shipped from storage 430 were issued to the fourth overseas contingent, United
States Army ambulance service, scheduled for service in Italy. 26 Thirty addi-
tional chassis (without bodies) were turned over to the Quartermaster Corps
for issue as gasoline tank trucks to this contingent. This brings the total
number of ambulances placed in transit for shipment overseas to the end of
June, 1918, up to 1,855. To this should be added the 36 model 15 and the 12
Service Motor Truck No. 120, giving an aggregate of 1,903.

Shipments fell off during July, whan only 191 went forward. 27 This was
improved by the shipment of 475 during August. 28 The peak was reached in

398 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

September when 1,041 chassis were shipped. 29 This brings the shipments
during the quarter ending September 30, 1918, to 1,707, and the total shipments
of model 16 General Motors Co. chassis from the beginning in 1917 to that
date 3,562, with a total aggregate of 3,610. The shipping records of October
and November are not available and the number forwarded during those months
is unknown, but the contract appears to have been completed in October and
probably all of the chassis left the factory.

The shipping box for General Motors Co. chassis was modified in Septem-
ber, 1918, whereby it not only was made stronger but was reduced in size so
that it required but 207 cubic feet of shipping space. 30

The difficulties experienced in starting production of new pattern ambulance
bodies and the delays in their shipment have already been described. At one
time ambulance chassis in considerable numbers were shipped overseas without
bodies.

The number of ambulances, General Motors Co. and Ford, produced prior
to the cessation of hostilities never reached the estimated requirements. The
estimated overseas requirements of April 12, 1918, when the war plans, as trans-
mitted to the Surgeon General, contemplated 26 divisions in France by June 30,
1918, and 40 divisions by the end of the following December, appear below: 31

Estimate

Number of divisions overseas by June 30, 1918 26

Number of divisions overseas by Dec. 31, 1918 40

AMBULANCES PEB DIVISION OVERSEAS

3 motor ambulance companies, 13 ambulances each 39

1 supply train, divisional 1

1 Heavy Artillery regiment 3

1 Light Artillery regiment 2

1 field signal battalion (operating independently) 1

Total divisional ambulances per division overseas 46

ADDITIONAL AMBULANCES PER ARMY OVERSEAS

20 evacuation companies, 20 ambulances each 400

1 army sanitary train, 4 companies, 13 ambulances each 52

138 base hospitals, 10 venereal hospitals, 12 convalescent camps, 1 convalescent depot;

161 hospitals as above, 4 ambulances each 644

60 evacuation hospitals, 4 ambulances each 240

Total army ambulances overseas 1, 336

TOTAL AMBULANCES OVERSEAS JUNE 30, 1918

26 divisions, 46 ambulances each 1, 196

Army ambulances overseas 1, 336

Total 2,532

TOTAL AMBULANCES OVERSEAS DEC. 31, 1918

40 divisions, 46 ambulances each 1, 840

Army ambulances overseas 1, 336

Total 3, 176

MOTOR VEHICLES 399

Tin's does not include any ambulances to take care of losses, but for purpose of
determining the amount of acetylene gas used ambulances for replacement purposes need
not be considered. We are figuring 25 per cent loss each six months of service.

As the war plans changed and the flow of troops to France became
augmented, the estimated requirements of ambulances rose. Based upon the
information available June 20, 1918, and taking wastage into account, the
estimated overseas requirements June 30, 1918, were 3,333 ambulances and
December, 1918, 5,505. 32 The estimate of August 1, 1918, based upon 52
divisions overseas indicated the need by the end of December, 1918, of 6,795
ambulances, or 900 in excess of those delivered and due on contract.' 3

The shipment of spare parts for ambulances was never entirely satisfactory.
The first shipment went forward November 15, 1917, and consisted of 20 sets
of factory spare parts B and a corresponding quantity of spare parts A. 34
During June to October, inclusive, 1918, there were placed in transit to France
140 spare parts trailers complete with B equipment, 30 sets of spare parts B
equipment, and 2,057 sets of spare parts A equipment. 35 These spare parts
were provided out of supplies procured by the Medical Department.

SHORTAGE OF AMBULANCES 1918

With the steadily increasing stream of troops transported to France during
the spring and summer of 1918 there was a corresponding increase in the
demand for motor ambulances for the expeditionary forces. This demand was
augmented by the major operations planned for September and by the unex-
pected epidemic of influenza. While ambulances had been manufactured,
boxed for export, and shipped to the ports of embarkation, there was always a
tedious delay before they were actually floated. These delays were augmented
by the time intervening between the arrival at ports of debarkation and their
assembly for delivery to the troops. Loadings on board ship were often so
made and the destination of the vessel so changed while at sea that chassis
arrived at one port and bodies at another. 36 This materially added to the
difficulties of assembly. While the ambulance assembly unit left the United
States fully equipped with the necessary machinery and parts, conditions at
the bases overseas limited the efficiency of this unit. 37 These numerous and
probably unavoidable delays always left a very wide margin between the
number of vehicles shipped from the factory and those available for use in
France.

The representative of the Medical Department on duty with the General
Motors Truck Co. reported March 18, 1918, the completion of the contracts of
April 25, 1917, and June 14, 1917. This report also shows that 1,094 chassis
boxed for export had been shipped to ports of embarkation. 38 Yet on June 9,
1918, when it would seem that ample time had elapsed to have all these ambu-
lances running on the roads in the rear of the Army in France, a cablegram was
received from the commander in chief of the American Expeditionary Forces
that there were then available 562 model 16 G. M. C. ambulances, 20 ambulances
of miscellaneous models, and 2,611 Ford ambulances. 39 A cablegram from
the same source a few days earlier had stated that the Medical Department
required 100 Ford ambulances and 250 G. M. C. ambulances per month for

400 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

six months beginning July 1, exclusive of the needs of the United States Army
ambulance service. 40

By the end of July, 1918, the ambulance situation with the American
Expeditionary Forces, due to increased combat activity, was growing serious.
A cablegram from General Pershing of August 6 stated: 41

Motor ambulance shortage at present date extremely acute. Present shortage is
1,019 G. M. C. and 306 Fords. These figures consider as available for A. E. F. which you
state arc ready to float or now en route to Newport News. For month of August M. T. C.
priority calling for total of 605 G. M. C. and Ford ambulances will cover monthly needs
only and will not reduce our accumulated shortage of this transportation. It is imperative
that the shortage quoted above, 1,325 ambulances, be made up without delay. If G. M. C.
cars can not be furnished, request the entire shortage be covered by shipment of lighter
type. Figures given above are in all instances exclusive of needs of U. S. A. A. S.

The commander in chief, A. E. F., was advised by cable, July 12, that 432
G. M. C. ambulances complete were at Newport News ready to float and 55
additional en route. 42 On August 16, he was advised by cable: 43

There are available and embarkation service have stated that they expect to float
during August 100 Ford ambulance chassis and 200 G. M. C. ambulances; 924 available
for floating during September, 300 Ford ambulances, 200 Ford ambulance chassis, and 350
G. M. C. ambulances. It is estimated that during October there will be available for
shipment 400 Ford ambulance chassis and 800 G. M. C. ambulances. Additional orders on
Ford ambulances sufficient to cover your total cable requirements will be placed within two
weeks and delivery can be had during September and October.

On August 31, the commander in chief, A. E. F., was further advised that
136 Ford ambulances and 209 G. M. C. ambidances had been freighted, docked,
or floated since August 17. 44 Rate of production then was Ford ambulances
50 per day, increasing to 126 per day, September 3, and G. M. C. ambulances
400 per month. Shipments were to go forward as follows: 50 Ford
ambulances by special train daily until September 3, and then at the rate 126
per day until order for 1,500 was complete. G. M. C. ambulances were being
withdrawn from the training camps to balance shortage.

This program apparently did not meet the requirements in the American
Expeditionary Forces, for a cable therefrom of September 5 stated that the
ambulance shortage there was critical; that 2,000 were needed to make up the
existing shortage; that only 150 had been received in August; that 625 were
called for on the September priority; and that it was very important that all
G. M. C. and Ford ambulances available at seaboard be floated at the earliest
possible date. 45

On September 14, a reply was made to the foregoing cable to the effect
that 511 ambulances had been floated during July and August; that 200
General Motors Co. and 258 Ford ambulances had been shipped to ports of
embarkation during the first 12 days of September, of which 109 had been
floated; that 479 ambulances were then moving from the camps to the
seaboard. 46

These various calls for ambulances constrained the Secretary of War to
order some hundreds of used ambulances at the various camps to be collected
and sent overseas. It was planned to ship these ambulances to the Motor
Transport Corps motor repair park at Camp Holabird, Baltimore, Md., for

MOTOR VEHICLES 401

repairs before loading them on the transports. 46 On September 6 telegraphic
orders were sent to the commanding; generals at all the larger camps directing
them to send without delay to designated central points from 12 to 24 ambu-
lances. 47 At these central collecting points the cars loaded with ambulances
from the several camps were made up into solid trains of ambulances and
moved as special trains to Camp Holabird.

By the time these used ambulances had been loaded on flat cars, assembled
at the collecting points, shipped to Camp Holabird, and overhauled and repaired,
the armistice had been signed and there was no longer any need for them. It
is believed that very few of them ever reached France. New ambulances, both
G. M. C. and Ford, were by that time being produced and delivered to the
ports more rapidly than they were being floated. At the cessation of hostilities,
November 11, 1918, there were at ports of embarkation 1,395 G. M. C.
chassis and 517 bodies. 48 At the end of October there were 440 Ford ambulances
complete at the same ports. 49 During October there were floated from all ports
741 Ford ambulances, 58 Ford chassis, 41 G. M. C. ambulances complete, 511
G. M. C. chassis, and 221 G. M. C. bodies. 49

AMBULANCE ASSEMBLY UNIT

After their arrival overseas both chassis and bodies had to be assembled,
painted, and tested before they could be delivered to the using organizations.
Because of the lack in France of personnel familiar with chassis and bodies,
considerable difficulty was experienced in assembling the earlier lots sent
overseas. These difficulties gave rise to a request from the American Expedi-
tionary Forces, in August, 1917, for personnel trained in the assembling, repair,
and maintenance of G. M. C. ambulances. 50

This cablegram indicated the need overseas for a motor ambulance assem-
bly base at which all of the heavy type motor ambulances could be assembled.
Measures were at once initiated for the development and organization of a
suitable unit for this work. Some time was consumed in finding suitable
personnel to have charge of the work and in securing commissions for them.
Three such persons were selected. Two of them were sent to the H. H. Bab-
cock Co., Watertown, N. Y., to familiarize themselves with the details of
assembling bodies and to organize a section for that particular work. 51 The
third officer was sent to the General Motors Truck Co., Pontiac, Mich., for a
like purpose in chassis assembly. Steps were taken by these officers to secure
and train the enlisted personnel in the duties of their respective sections. The
enlisted personnel selected were obtained through the draft and all had special
qualifications for the particular duties to which they would be assigned over-
seas. Of the two officers sent to Watertown one was to have general charge
of the assembly base overseas and the other to have charge of the body assem-
bly work. The enlisted men sent to the Babcock Co. plant for this work were
given a course in body construction and actual work in the assembling depart-
ment to familiarize themselves with the appearance and location of the
individual components of the body. They crated the partly assembled bodies
for shipment. They uncrated these bodies and assembled them, following in
detail the procedure to be observed overseas. 51
30063—28 26

402 FINANCE AND SUPrLY

Similar instruction and training wore given to the section organized at
the General Motors Truck Co. plant for chassis assembly and testing. Both
sections of this unit were then sent to the motor ambulance supply depot,
Louisville, Ky., for training in mounting the bodies on the chassis and in the
testing and inspection of the assembled ambulance for delivery to the using
organization.

Tools and a complete equipment for the assembly base were selected by
the personnel and prepared for shipment overseas. An ample stock of parts
likely to be needed in this assembly were also secured and prepared for
shipment.

The personnel of the motor ambulance assembly unit as finally organized
consisted of 3 officers and 61 eidisted men, including a property sergeant and
two cooks. This unit arrived at Fort Jay, N. Y., complete with equipment,
early in November, 1917. The unit sailed for France in November, 1917. 52
Its equipment, with a few minor exceptions, had preceded it and was located
after a prolonged search. 53 The unit was broken up into three sections not
long after its arrival and assigned to as many different base ports. 54

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from First Lieut. J. B. Streit, Sanitary Corps, Base Section 1, A. E. F., to Maj.

W. T. Fishleigh, Sanitary Corps, S. G. O., January 8, 1918, on conditions at Base

713-440

Section No. 1, A. E. F. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. CO., — ==

7o

(2) Letter from the Surgeon General to Capt. A. B. Browne, Sanitary Corps, N. A.,

Pontiac, Mich., February 6, 1918. Subject: G. M. C. report from overseas. On file,

713-440
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., =„

(3) First indorsement, Surgeon General, to the Quartermaster General, February 26, 1918.

Subject: Cable No. 594, par. 9, G. M. C. ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply

t-v- • • o /i r\ 250 France
Division, S. G. O., =-,_

247

(4) Letters from The Adjutant General, to the commanding generals of all National Guard,

National Army, and Regular Divisions, June 17, 1918. Subject: Motor transpor-
tation for divisions ordered overseas. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

c , „ „ 534-129 Wheeler
S. G. O., - 14Q — —

(5) Paragraph 2, Cable No. 439-R, November 24, 1917, from The Adjutant General, to

the C. in C, Amexforce, France, reference motor ambulances. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., ^Ijp-'-

(6) Letter from the Quartermaster General to the Surgeon General of the Army, January

8, 1918. Subject: Knocking down and crating trucks for overseas shipment. On

cl „. . „ . „. . . a r, n. "50-594 Q. M. G.

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — 1 ^ f j — —

(7) Letter from Ford Motor Co., Detroit, Mich., to the Surgeon General Gorgas, U. S.

Army, Washington, D. C, August S, 1917, relative to completion of order for 2,400

247
ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -s~

(8) Second indorsement, Headquarters, U. S. Army Ambulance Service, Allentown, Pa., to

the Surgeon General, September 17, 1917. Subject: Receipt of Ford ambulances.

247
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -s~

MOTOR VEHICLES 403

(9) Fifth indorsement, Medical Supply Depot, Port of Embarkation, Pier 45, North River,

New York City, to the Surgeon, Port of Embarkation, 209 River Street, Hoboken,

N. J., September 24, 1917. Subject: Ford ambulances. On file, Finance and

247
Supply Division, S. G. O., -=-•

(10) Paragraph 4, Cable No. 1S3-S, Headquarters, A. E. F., to the Adjutant General,

September 17, 1917. Subject: U. S. Army Ambulance Service. On file, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. O., Cables — France.

(11) Paragraph 1, Cable No. 302-S, Headquarters, A. E. F.. to The Adjutant General,

November 24 1917. Subject: Ford ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., Cables — France.

(12) Sixth indorsement, chief of IT. S. Army Ambulance Service with the Frencli Army, to

the commanding general, Headquarters, Services of Supply, A. E. F., April 6, 1918.

Subject: Transfer of Ford ambulances to other departments. On file, Finance and

., . „. . . r, „ 20 Allentown
.supply Division, S. G. O., jk

(13) Letter from the Surgeon General, to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, D. C, October 6, 1917. Subject: Export shipment of ambulance

chassis. On file, Finance and supply Division, S. G. O., — ^

(14) Letter from the commanding officer, Sanitary Corps, N. A., General Motors Truck Co.,

to the Surgeon General, March 25, 1918. Subject: Weekly reports. On file, Finance

101 A W R
and Supply Division, S. G. O., Pontiac Weekly Reports — ^-„ ' '•

(15) Letter from the Surgeon General, to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, D. C, May 24, 1917. Subject: Motor ambulances. On file, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. O., 11220.-252.

(16) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, D. C, May 26, 1917. Subject: Motor ambulances. On file, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. 0., 11220.-252.

(17) Memorandum from the Surgeon General to Colonel McCarthy, Q. M. C, June 1, 1917.

Subject: Motor ambulances for France. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. O. 11220.-257.

(18) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, D. C, August 23, 1917. Subject: Issue of motor ambulances and spare

, _. . . „ „ ,, 713-750
parts cars to France. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. (j. O., 27

(19) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, D. C, October 25, 1917. Subject: Shipment of motor ambulance

chassis. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ..,

(20) Weekly reports from the commanding officer, Sanitary Corps, N. A., General Motors

Truck Co. Plant, Detroit, Mich., to the Surgeon General, September 29, 1917, to

September 11, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Pontiac Weekly

„ . 101 A.B.B.
Reports ^fa

(21) Letter from the officer in charge, Sanitary Corps, N. A., General Motors Truck Co.

Plant, Pontiac, Mich., to the Surgeon General, November 29, 1917. Subject: Weekly
report. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Pontiac Weekly Reports
10 1 A. B. B .
178

(22) Letter from the commander of Sanitary Corps, N. A., General Motors Truck Co. Plant,

Pontiac, Mich., to the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, undated. Subject: Weekly
report. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Pontiac Weekly Reports
101 A.B.B.
178

404 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(23) Letter from the commanding officer, Pontiac, Mich., April 29, 1918, to the Surgeon

General, U. S. Army. Subject: Weekly report. On file, Finance and Supply Divi-
sion, S. G. O., Pontiac Weekly Reports, j^g ' — '-

(24) Letters from First Lieut. Charles A. Woodfield, Sanitary Corps, National Army,

Watertown, N. Y., April 1, 1918, and Capt. H. E. Smith, Sanitary Corps,

National Army, Watertown, N. Y., April 6, and 29, 1918, to the Surgeon General.

Subject: Weekly report. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Water-

„ ., „ , 685 H. E.S.
town Weekly Reports, -™

(25) Letter from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville,

Ky., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., June 1, 1918. Subject: Ambulances to

._ . „ _ _, _. , „ . „. . . „ n 713-440 Louisville
Newport News. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^=

(26) Letter from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, Pier 45, North River,

New York, N. Y., April 25, 1918. Subject: Supplies for the 4th Overseas Contin-
gent, U. S. A. Ambulance Service. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
20 Allentown
20

(27) Letter from the commanding officer, General Motors Truck Co. Plant, Pontiac, Mich.,

to Motor Transport Service, District Office, Detroit, Mich., August 1, 1918.
Subject: Trimonthly report, July 21-31, inclusive, 1918. On file. Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., Pontiac Weekly Reports, .i„ -'- — '•

(28) Letter from the commanding officer, Pontiac, Mich., to the Motor Transport

Corps, District Office, Detroit, Mich., September 2, 1918. Subject: Trimonthly
report, August 21-31, 1918, inclusive. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S.G.O.

Pontiac Weekly Reports, - ' ' - — '•

(29) Letter from the general manager, General Motors Truck Co., Pontiac, Mich.,

to Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, Motor Transport Corps, Seventh and B streets, Washing-
ton, D. C, October 1, 1918. Subject: Chassis production, September. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Pontiac letters October 1 to December 31,
1918.

(30) Letter from First Lieut. W. P. Staebler, Sanitary Corps, Pontiac, Mich., to Maj.

A. B. Browne, Sanitary Corps, Motor Transport Service, Quartermaster Corps,
Washington D. C, September 26, 1918. Subject: Boxing ambulance chassis. On
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Pontiac letters, July-October, 1918.

(31) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the Motors Division, Quartermaster

General's Office, April 12, 1918. Subject: Estimates of overseas ambulances. On

., _,. , _ . _.. . . - „ „ 750-594 Q. M. G.
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. O. O., r^

(32) Estimates Covering U. S. Standard Ambulances and Other Motor Equipment

Required by the Medical Department, United States Army, June 20, 1918, by
Walter T. Fishleigh, Major, Sanitary Corps, Office of the Surgeon General. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. GO., Estimates, Motor Transport.

(33) Idem., August 1, 1918.

(34) Letter from the officer in charge, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., to

the Surgeon General, November 15, 1917. Subject: Shipments. On file, Finance

, e , tv • • c. r- r. 713-250 Fr.
and Supply Division, S. G. O., — „„

(35) Compiled from the following reports on file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. 0.,

Louisville Weekly Reports and Daily Spare Parts Reports. On file, Finance and

o i tv ■ ■ a n ^ 713-440 , 713-440

Supply Division, S. G. O., — „„» ■ and — JrEr - •

MOTOR VEHICLES 405

(36) Letter from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, March 27,

1918. Subject: Shipment of motor ambulances and bodies, and the fourth indorse-
ment thereon, from the medical supply officer, Port of Embarkation, Newport

News, Va., May 8, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ».„ ' •

(37) Personal letters from First Lieut. J. B. Streit, Sanitary Corns, N. A., to Maj. W. T.

Fishleigh, Sanitary Corps, S. G. O., January 8 and 15, 1918, relative to the progress
of the motor ambulance assembly unit. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

S.G.O., 713 ^ 40 -

(38) Letter from the commanding officer, Sanitary Corps, N. A., General Motors Truck Co.,

Pontiac, Mich., to the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, March 18, 1918. Subject:

Weekly report. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Pontiac Weekly

_ 101A.B.B.
Reports, j=b

(39) Subparagraph A, Cable No. 1278-S, Headquarters, A. E. F., to The Adjutant General,

Washington, D. C, June 9, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Cables — France.

(40) Paragraph 3, Cable No. 1237-S, Headquarters, A. E. F., to The Adjutant General,

Washington, D. C, June 4, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Cables — France.

(41) Paragraph 4, Cable No. 1566-S, Headquarters, A. E. F., to The Adjutant General,

Washington, D. C, August 6, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Cables — France.

(42) Paragraph 1-N, Cable 1708-R, War Department, Washington, July 12, 1918, to the

commander in chief, Amexforce, France. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. O., Cables— France.

(43) Paragraph 4, Cable No. 7-R, from The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C, to the

commanding general, Services of Supply, Amexforce, France, August 16, 1918. On
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Cables — France.

(44) Paragraph 1, Cable 1897-R, from The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C, to the

commander in chief, Amexforce, France, August 31, 1918. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., Cables — France.

(45) Paragraph 3, Cable No. 86-S, from the commanding general, Services of Supply,

Amexforce, France, to The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C, September 5,
1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, Cables — France.

(46) Paragraph 4, Cable No. 75-R, from The Adjutant General, Washington, D.C., to the

commanding general, Services of Supply, Amexforce, France, September 14, 1918.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Cables — France.

(47) Telegrams from The Adjutant General, Washington, D.C., to the commanding generals

of 23 National Guard and National Army Camps, September 6, 1918, in reference to
shipment of motor ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
750-519 M.T.C .
15.A

(48) Memorandum for Colonel Wolfe from Capt. Fred J. Murray, S.C., U.S.A., November

13, 1918. Subject: G.M.C., situation. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
a ~ n 750-519 M.T.C.

». Lr. U., yj

(49) Memorandum for Lieut. Col. Dean Halford, from Capt. I. M. Obreight, M.T.C,

November 7, 1918. Subject: Ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
„ r, „ 750-519 M.T.C.

(5. <_r. U., jp^

(50) Paragraph 5, Cable 102, H.A.E.F., Paris, August 15, 1917. Subject: Repair trucks

t^- ■ ■ a /-. n 250 France
and mechanicians. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. U. U., ^

406 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(51) Letter from Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, Sanitary Corps, S.G.O., to the H. H. Baboock Co.,

Watertown, N. Y., September 20, 1917. Subject: Body assembly unit. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., .„

(52) Report of the Supply Division, S. G. O., to the Surgeon General, for the period ending

750-714
November 10,1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., .

(53) Letter from First Lieut. J. B. Streit, Sanitary Corps, Motor Ambulance Assembling

Base, A. E. F., to Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, Sanitary Corps, S. G. O., January 8, 1918.

Subject: Conditions at the base. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,

- T ,. 713-440
Overseas Letters, ~a

(54) Letters from Capt. J. B. Streit, Sanitary Corps, to Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, Sanitary

Corps, S. G. O., January 15, 1918, and March 12, 1918, relative to the experiences
of the motor ambulance assembly unit. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

S . G . o., 71 f^i°.

CHAPTER XXVIII
DONATED AMBULANCES

The question of acceptance by the Federal Government of donations of
motor ambulances early came before the War Department. The first of these
offers was made by the citizens of Fort Wayne, Ind., who, on April 2, 1917,
offered to the Medical Department a modern motor-driven ambulance. 1 On
April 6, 1917, The Stutz Automobile Co., of Indianapolis, Ind., offered six
motor ambulances complete for use by one of the ambulance companies of the
Indiana National Guard. 2 The Surgeon General, thereupon, requested author-
ity from the Secretary of War to accept the particular gifts and general author-
ity to accept similar donations in the future. 3 The Stutz Co. was willing to
provide bodies conforming to the standard of the Medical Department. 3 The
action of the Secretary of War upon this request appears in the following
indorsement:

[Fourth indorsement]
2570177.

War Department,

Adjutant General's Office,

April 17, 1917.

To the Surgeon General:

The second indorsement hereon, being approved, this being in accordance with the

general policy approved by the Secretary of War, which authorizes the Surgeon General "to

accept such gifts when they conform to the plans and specifications in his office, mounted on a

suitable chassis; such gifts to be taken up and accounted for as medical property."

By order of the Secretary of War:

Edward T. Donnelly,

Adjutant General.

1 Enclosure.

A body conforming to that of the standard Army motor ambulance was
always required as requisite to the acceptance of the gift. In the earlier
acceptances the donors were advised that any commercial chassis upon which
such a body could be well affixed would be acceptable. They were notified
that the %-ton chassis made by the General Motors Truck Co. was preferred. 4
This policy, naturally, resulted in the acceptance of a heterogeneous lot of
motor vehicles. Many ambulances were given to ambulance companies and
camps without the knowledge of the Surgeon General's Office. Many ambu-
lances which did not conform to Army standards were also brought to camps
for which no authority had been given and for which gas, oil, greases, and spare
parts could not be supplied. Great difficulty was experienced in determining
the number of donated ambulances at the camps. Many of the Red Cross
ambulance companies accepted into the service were provided with the model
15 equipment, which could not be sent overseas. This equipment had to be
left behind and the units equipped from the overseas base.

407

408 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The evils of this policy soon made themselves known, and acceptances
were limited to chassis and bodies not only conforming to the Medical Depart-
ment standard but to those manufactured by the firms supplying them to the
Army. Absolute standardization both in the United States and with the forces
overseas was thereby assured. Arrangements were made by the Surgeon
General's Office with the manufacturers to furnish the equipment to prospective
donors at the same price as to the Government. The General Motors Truck
Co. notified all its dealers and salesmen in April, 1918, that all ambulances
purchased for the service must be exact duplicates of the model 16; that
thereafter all ambulances bought by the Red Cross would be deducted from the
Government's allotment and must be sold at the price the Government paid;
that all inquirers concerning gifts of ambulances were to be referred to the
Surgeon General's Office; that all purchases of both chassis and body must be
made direct at the price paid by the Government. This eliminated the charge
of middlemen's profit and manipulation of ambulance prices in connection with
the donation of ambulances. 5

A final report of the General Motors Truck Co. states that 78 model 16
chassis, included in their total of 5,900, were donated by various organizations
and persons. Others were given to organizations and not reported to the
Surgeon General's Office.

The donation of Ford ambulances was also authorized, but later suspended
on cabled information that they were not needed in France and that shipments
of them should be discontinued.

Donors were permitted to have a suitably inscribed plate attached to the
ambulances given by them, but the gift had to be made outright without any
restrictions as to place of use or by whom used.

The outstanding lesson of the ambulance donation experience is clear.
The donation of miscellaneous ambulances, by various persons at various places
was, on the whole, a waste of effort and money. Some had a limited use in
this country; others were of little or no value. The Ford ambulances were
intended for use with the French Army, and a sufficient number was received
early. There was but one ambulance that it was worth while to purchase and
donate; in fact but one that could be made, the G. M. C. model 16. As the
Government was taking the factory output of this model, the simple and
effective method of donating an ambulance was to send a certified check of
$1,600, the cost of one ambulance.

The following circular, issued by the Surgeon General on May 30, 1918,
gives in full the requirements as to donations.

Gifts op Ambulances to the Medical Department, United States Army

1. General. — The Medical Department, since the beginning of the war, has been in
receipt of many patriotic offers of assistance in the way of purchasing and equipping motor
ambulances for service with the United States Army. Citizens, clubs, schools, societies,
associations, have generously given of time and funds, and their efforts have, in the majority
of cases, been of great assistance to the Medical Department, and have been appreciated
thereby.

In general, however, the tremendous problems involved in the supply, equipment,
upkeep, operation, and repair of motor ambulances, with a large army, are not understood.

MOTOR VEHICLES 409

The importance of standard types, interchangeable parts, uniform equipment, and standard
shipments is not appreciated.

The information contained herein is furnished with the idea of assisting prospective
donors, and making their efforts and gifts of maximum value and service of the Government.

2. Ambulance gifts. — The Medical Department, through the Office of the Surgeon
General, will accept for service with the United States Army one or more ambulances,
provided such ambulances are complete and standard in chassis, body, equipment, and
boxing for shipment as specified hereinafter.

Due to the impracticability of successful operation, upkeep, and repair of other than
standard ambulances, miscellaneous types can not be accepted.

3. Standard ambulance. — The United States standard ambulance, complete, includes
the following:

1. United States standard ambulance chassis, complete.

2. United States standard ambulance body, complete.

3. Ambulance spare parts A.

4. Purchase and price. — For the assistance of prospective donors of ambulances, and in
order to enable them to secure the standard ambulance at a low price, arrangements have
been made with the manufacturers of the chassis and body, respectively, by which sale of
chassis and body will be made by the manufacturers thereof to the persons desiring to give
an ambulance or ambulances to the Medical Department for service with the United States
Army at the same price as that charged the Medical Department under its contracts with
such manufacturers.

In order to secure this low price, the following conditions must be observed:

(1) The chassis must be ordered direct from the General Motors Truck Co., Pontiac,
Mich.; and the body must be ordered direct from the Anderson Electric Car Co., at
Detroit, Mich.

(2) The delivery of the chassis and body to the Medical Department must be made at
the factory of the respective manufacturer.

(3) Payment for the chassis and body must be made to the respective manufacturer
by the donor in advance of delivery.

The present prices of the chassis and body are stated on the leaflet inclosed herewith.

The observance of the foregoing conditions (1) eliminates selling expense to the
manufacturer, (2) reduces correspondence and bookkeeping expense to a minimum, and (3)
permits the handling and shipping to be conducted in the same routine manner as is pursued
in Government purchases, and so eliminates special charges on this account.

On receipt by the manufacturer of an order from a prospective donor, for chassis or
body, a release of the chassis or body for sale to the donor is requested by the manufacturer
from the Medical Department; when this release is granted by the Medical Department,
the manufacturer is enabled, so far as production is concerned, to treat the body or chassis
sold to the donor as sold under the Government contract, the total number to be delivered to
the Government on its contract being reduced proportionately by the number sold to donors
on release. In this way the manufacturer is able to purchase material and parts for 1, 000 or
more ambulances at a time, and to manufacture in large quantities, without assuming any
risk that the ambulances maufactured may not be sold, as the number contracted for will all
be taken by the Medical Department in the event that none is sold to donors on Government
release. This arrangement procures for the donor a low price, which is only made
possible by quantity production and the economies effected by handling donor's orders in
the routine manner secured by the foregoing regulations.

A corps of Government inspectors is maintained at each of the plants manufacturing the
chassis or body for the United States standard ambulance, and ambulances purchased for
gift to the Government will receive the same careful inspection as those purchased by the
Medical Department. This will insure the receipt by the purchaser of complete and
standard chassis, body, and fittings, and proper boxing.

The ambulance spare parts A for ambulances given to the Medical Department will
be furnished by that Department without charge and without request by the donor.

410 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

5. Inspection and acceptance. — Upon notice of completion of one or more ambulance
chassis or bodies by the above-named companies, inspection thereof will be made by a
Government representative, and report of acceptance made to the donor. Acceptance will
be made of standard ambulance body and chassis complete with standard fittings, with
standard boxing, f. o. b. cars, the producing plant.

6. Painting, Insignia, Marking. — Painting and insignia will conform to United States
ambulance standard. A metal plate, not to exceed 6 by 8 inches carrying such marking or
notation as desired by the donors, may be placed in prominent position, reserved therefor,
on the dash. If such a plate is to be attached, it must be furnished by the donor to the
manufacturers of the chassis for attachment thereto before the delivery of the same to the
Medical Department.

No other special marking, names, or insignia are to be placed upon chassis or body.

7. Destination. — The exact destination or service of each ambulance can not of course
be prescribed or determined. Where desired in particular cases, however, donors may be
assured, subject to the emergencies of war:

(1) Of service with the United States Army overseas; or,

(2) Of service with the United States Army in the United States camps.

8. Ceremonies. — Due to the impracticability of unboxing and assembling the present type
of ambulance body and chassis, then reassembling and reboxing properly for shipment, it
will not be possible to arrange for having a gift ambulance at presentation or other ceremonies.

Where gift of a standard ambulance has been made to the Medical Department, and
presentation or other ceremonies are desired, a photograph will be furnished upon request,
by the office of the Surgeon General, which may be framed as desired and used in lieu of
the ambulance.

9. Acceptance in person. — In the present military emergency, it will not be possible to
arrange for acceptance in person by a representative of the Office of the Surgeon General.

REFERENCES

(1) Telegram from Capt. Geo. L. Byroade, U. S. Army, Fort Wayne, Ind., the Surgeon

General of the Army, April 2, 1917, inquiring whether donation of motor ambulance
would be accepted by Medical Department. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 157,
829-E.

(2) Telegram from the Adjutant General of Indiana, Indianapolis, Ind., to the Surgeon

General of the Army, April 6, 1917, requesting authority to accept ambulances. On
file, Record Room, S. G. O., 157,829-F.

(3) Memorandum from the Surgeon General for the Secretary of War, April 7, 1917, and

second indorsement of Surgeon General's Office, April 11, 1917, to The Adjutant
General, relative to acceptance of offer of 6 Stutz ambulances. On file, Record
Room, S. G. O., lj 57,829-F.

(4) Sixth indorsement, Surgeon General's Office, April 19, 1917, to Capt. George L. Byroade,

U. S. Army, retired, Fort Wayne, Ind., relative to acceptance of ambulance by the
Medical Department. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 157, 829-E.

(5) General Motors Truck Co. Dealers' Bulletin, No. 213, April 30, 1918. On file, Finance

, a ,,-,••• a - ,, 2 »7 G. M. T. C.
and Supply Division, S. G. (J., — ^

SECTION V

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE

CHAPTER XXIX

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOT

In the plans for the construction of a base hospital at all the large training
and embarkation camps, three buildings were provided for storehouses for the
reserve of medical property for the hospital and the camp. Because the hos-
pital was the logical place for the organizations in the cam]) to look for things
needful for the care of the sick, it was decided to use these buildings for the
camp medical supply depot instead of accepting space in the general warehouse
group. 1 The bulk of the supplies in the hospital storehouses would naturally
pertain to the base hospital, but there was sufficient space for those required
by the infirmaries and organizations. However, the last buildings to be erected
at several of the camps were those of the hospital group. In not a few cases
medical supplies arrived before the hospital storehouses were ready. As a
result of this delay, it was necessary to utilize one of the buildings in the gen-
eral warehouse group for the camp medical supply depot until the storehouses
in the hospital group were ready. The layout of one of these buildings adapted
to the needs of a medical supply depot, 2 is shown in Figure 33. 2 Figure 34
shows the floor plan and side elevation of one of the standard base hospital
storehouses.

PERSONNEL

MEDICAL SUPPLY OFFICERS

It was early foreseen that at every divisional training camp, whether
National Army or National Guard, there would be required an officer of the
Medical Department to look after the medical property therein and to have
charge of the medical supply depot to be established there. The duties
required of these medical supply officers called for a familiarity with Army
Regulations, with the customs of the service, and with governmental methods
of property procurement and accounting. This familiarity could not be
obtained in a few days, and the need of trained men became daily more urgent.
Since there was no provision whereby nonprofessional men could be commis-
sioned in the Medical Corps, attention was turned to the noncommissioned list
of the Medical Department for men for this purpose. They, too, like the
commissioned personnel, were all too few and were required for many other
duties. It was thought that the retired list might furnish a sufficient number
to tide the situation over until the camps could be established and new

411

412

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

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CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE

413

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414 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

men trained. Authority for the employment of these retired noncommis-
sioned officers as civil employees was first considered. 3 Difficulties on account
of their lack of civil service status arose, and time was spent in endeavoring to
secure a waiver of the requirements. An Executive order was issued May 9,
1917, amending paragraph 2, section IV, schedule B, of the civil service rules
so as to permit the appointment of noncommissioned officers as military store-
keepers through noncompetitive examination. 4 Before appointments under
this order could be made an act was passed, May 18, which authorized the
employment on active duty of retired enlisted men of the Regular Army,
either with their rank on the retired list or in higher grades, with the full
pay and allowances of the grades in which they were actually employed.
Under this provision orders were requested, May 21, for the assignment of
19 of these noncommissioned officers to active duty at the several supply
depots. 5 Other retired noncommissioned officers were recalled to active duty
from time to time and assigned to supply depots for temporary duty and for
instruction in depot methods.

A satisfactory solution of this difficult problem came at the end of June,
1917, when the President directed the organization under the Medical Depart-
ment of a Sanitary Corps for the period of the existing emergency. 6

The officers in charge of the several medical supply depots to which retired
noncommissioned officers had been assigned for instruction were directed to
submit recommendations of their suitability for commission. 7 Such of them
as were physically fitted for active duty, and were recommended as possessing
the necessary technical qualifications for supply work, were commissioned in
the Sanitary Corps and assigned to duty as medical supply officers at the several
cantonments and general hospitals. The number of retired noncommissioned
officers available being insufficient to fill all the positions, a number of qualified
noncommissioned officers on the active list were commissioned and assigned to
supply work. 8 Several of the retired noncommissioned officers who were
commissioned were later relieved from duty and returned to the inactive list
by reason of physical disability. 8

The original plan contemplated that the camp medical supply depot would
be located at the camp base hospital and that the camp medical supply officer
would be the property officer of that hospital and the supply officer of the divi-
sion. 9 As the various camps received their quotas of troops and the activities
of the base hospital increased it became evident that one officer could not pos-
sibly give the time and attention required in looking after the medical property
of the division as well as that of the hospital. 10 The various surgeons of divi-
sions and commanding officers urged the appointment of an additional officer
to act as supply officer for the division." Medical supply officers were not
available in sufficient numbers to provide one for every hospital in the service.
The commanding officers of base and other large hospitals had the option, if
they so desired, of detailing a suitable medical officer to duty as property offi-
cer of the hospital. 12 Tables of organization as amended December 21, 1917,
authorized a divisional medical supply organization consisting of 1 officer as
division supply officer, 8 enlisted men, and provided with 2 motor trucks {\Yi
ton each) and 2 motor cycles with side cars. 13 As rapidly as suitable men

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 415

could be found and trained in supply work, additional medical supply officers
were appointed and sent to the divisional training camps to provide two at
each camp.

Although two officers were assigned by the War Department to the camp
for medical supply duty, the selection of the officer to accompany the division
overseas as divisional medical supply officer was left to the camp authorities.
Later, when a sufficient number of such officers had been trained and commis-
sioned, an officer of the Sanitary Corps was assigned to every base and general
hospital as its medical supply officer.

ENLISTED PERSONNEL

When the camp medical supply officer reported for duty at the camp to
which assigned he not infrequently found conditions in a chaotic state. Ship-
ments had been received by the local quartermaster and given temporary
storage in the general warehouse group. Neither clerical personnel nor a ware-
house force had been assigned. Supplies had to be sorted out, unpacked, and pre-
pared for issue. Assistance had to be provided from organizations and per-
sonnel on other duties in the camp; for example, at Camp Taylor, Ky., the
civilian laborers authorized by the Surgeon General, August 18, 1917, for the
installation of heavy fixed equipment at the hospital, were utilized so far as
practicable in the habilitation of the depot, construction of counters, shelving,
and the like. 14 Division surgeons at National Army camps were informed,
August 17, 1917, that large quantities of medical supplies had been ordered to
the camp and were cautioned to use every effort to provide the supply officer
with the necessary assistance and to have the infirmary supplies placed in the
buildings allotted to sanitary detachments on their arrival in camp. 15

With the arrival of troops and drafted men in the camps conditions began
to improve. At Camp Lee, Va., for example, applicants with suitable qualifi-
cations were selected by the camp medical supply officer and enlisted in the
Sanitary Corps for this duty. 16 At other places detachments were assigned to
the camp medical supply depots by division orders. These men had little or
no military training, but the majority of them showed aptitude and a desire to
learn. Such as did not were transferred elsewhere. At some places, Camp
Dix, N. J., for example, the men thereafter assigned to the depot were carefully
selected by the supply officer on account of their special qualifications for the
work. 17

To insure a supply of competent and adequately trained men and a uni-
formity in their selection, the following letter was sent to all National Army
cantonments. A similar letter was sent to all National Guard camps.

October 4, 1917.
From: The Surgeon General, United States Army.

To: The division surgeon, National Army cantonment. (To all National Army cantonments.)
Subject: Medical supply depot personnel.

1. There is urgent need for trained men for duty in medical supply depots both in this
country and with the troops overseas. You are requested to take the matter up with your
division commander with a view to selecting capable men and detailing them for duty in
the cantonment medical supply depot.

416 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

2. The men selected should be high grade in every respect, and should be chosen with
particular reference to their qualifications for supply work. Men who have had experience
in the offices and shipping departments of wholesale drug firms, manufacturing concerns,
express companies, etc., should be sought out and carefully examined.

3. If possible, the entire enlisted personnel of the depot should be selected men. If
that can not be done, at least six such men should be detailed.

4. From men thus selected and trained at the depots will be chosen the medical supply
contingent to accompany the divisions overseas, and from this personnel we should be able
to secure suitable men for commission in the Sanitary Corps as supply officers.

So long as enlistments were permitted, enlisted personnel for the Sanitary-
Corps were obtained in that manner. After voluntary enlistments had been
discontinued, personnel was obtained by the assignment to that corps of men
inducted into the service under the draft law. In both methods pains were
taken to select men not only physically fit but with such qualifications as would
render them particularly fitted for supply work. Conscientious and consistent
instruction was given to all men assigned to supply work, technical and military.
Training schools were established and every effort was made to insure that
every man of the Sanitary Corps assigned to medical supply duty was fully
qualified for the task. By the end of June, 1918, there were 1,471 enlisted men
of the Sanitary Corps on duty in the various supply depots at home and abroad.
As a result of native ability and the training they had received in supply work,
288 enlisted men of the Sanitary Corps were promoted through the various
noncommissioned grades to commissioned officers.

Courses of instruction similar to that at Camp Devens, quoted below, were
given at all the camp medical supply depots.

Depot Order No. 2

Camp Medical Supply Depot,
Camp Devens, Mass., March 29, 1918.
1. Commencing Monday, April, 1918, a course of instruction in supply depot work will
be started and the following schedule will be observed:

Reveille lia. m.

Setting-up drill 6 to 6.15 a. m.

Breakfast 7 a. m.

Practical depot work 8 a. m. to 12 m.

Drill i 8 to 10 a. m.

Lecture 10.15 to 11.45 a. m.

Dinner 12.30 p. m.

Practical depot work 1.30 to 5 p. m.

Drill 1.30 to 3.30 p. m.

Lecture 3.45 to 4.45 p. m.

One-half of the detachment will receive instructions in practical depot work in the
forenoon and the other half in the afternoon. Those not engaged in practical depot work
will attend drill and lectures. Drill will include school of the soldier, school of the squad,
and school of the detachment, as prescribed in Drill Regulations for Sanitary Troops, including
shelter-tent drill.

Lectures will be given by student officers on duty at the depot and will include personal
hygiene, sanitation, care of the soldier's feet on the march, first aid, Articles of War, military
courtesies, Army Regulations, Manual for the Medical Department, as far as it pertains to
the care and handling of public property.

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 417

Drills will be conducted by the noncommissioned officers of the detachment assigned to
this duty from time to time.

2. A school for noncommissioned officers will be held on Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday evenings of each week from 4.30 to 5.30 p. in.

All noncommissioned officers will attend, subjects as follows:
Monday, drill regulations.

Wednesday, Army Regulations and Manual for Courts-Martial.
Friday, Manual for the Medical Department.

3. There will be two men detailed daily, by roster, and ordered to report to the non-
commissioned officer in charge of enlisted men's mess for duty.

4. There will be one man detailed daily as room orderly, who will be in charge of the
building occupied as quarters. He will allow no unauthorized person to enter this building
and will allow no property of any of the men to be removed therefrom, except upon authority
from the detachment commander.

DEPOT OPERATION

The object of developing in these camp medical supply depots a high degree
of efficiency was constantly in the mind of the officer in charge of the finance
and supply division of the Surgeon General's Office. Uniformity of operation
and procedure was eminently desirable. In an endeavor to disseminate the
correct principles of depot operation and to secure uniformity, the following
instructions were issued by the Surgeon General:

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,

Washington, July 10, 1918.
The following tentative instructions are supplemental to the Manual for the Medical
Department, and are not intended to supersede the latter. They will be put into effect
upon their receipt at camps.

W. C. Gorgas, Surgeon General.

Duties of Medical Supply Officers

commissioned personnel

The following commissioned personnel of the Sanitary Corps will, as far as practicable
be assigned to each cantonment, and their relation to each other will be as follows:

1. The camp medical supply officer. — He will be in full charge of all medical property in
use or stored at the camp, and will be the accountable officer for same. He will be held
responsible that all organizations at the camp are properly supplied. He will be in command
of all commissioned and enlisted personnel on duty with the medical supply branch.

2. The divisional medical supply officer. — He will, while at a camp, act as an assistant to
the camp medical supply officer, irrespective of rank. As such, he will attend to all issues
of supplies to divisional organizations and requisitions for such supplies. He is the respon-
sible officer for all such property. He is also in charge of the authorized divisional trans-
portation, which consists of:

2 motor trucks, l}-£ tons each.
2 motor cycles with side cars.
This transportation should be utilized at camp medical supply depots, when available.

3. The property officer of the base hospital. — He will act as an assistant to the camp med-
ical supply officer with special reference to requisitions, issues, and care of all medical prop-
erty used at the base hospital. He is the responsible officer for all such property.

4. If any additional officers of the supply branch of the Sanitary Corps are detailed at
a camp for duty, they will be assigned as assistants to the camp medical supply officer and
will perform such duties as this officer may direct.

30663—28 -27

418 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

ENLISTED PERSONNEL

While at cantonment, all enlisted men assigned to duty with the supply branch are
under the direct command of the camp medical supply officer. They are divided into the
following permanent detachments:

1. Camp medical supply detachment. — One hospital sergeant, two sergeants, first class,
two sergeants, 15 privates, first class, or privates.

2. Divisonal medical supply unit. — One sergeant, first class, one sergeant, six privates,
first class, or privates.

3. Base hospital property office detachment. — One sergeant, first class, one sergeant,
six privates, first class, or privates.

All men assigned to duty with any of the above mentioned detachments will be trans-
ferred from any organization to which the}' may now belong and permanently assigned for
duty with the medical supply branch. They may be rationed and quartered with either
the camp medical detachment or the detachment of the base hospital as the camp or divi-
sion surgeon may direct.

The divisional medical supply unit will be assigned to the camp medical supply depot
for duty and instructions while the division to which they belong is at a cantonment.

Additional men sent to camps for training in supply work will form a, part of the enlisted
personnel of the supply branch under the command of the camp medical supply officer, who
will assign them to duty with the camp medical supply depot, or the property office of the
base hospital, as understudies to the permanent personnel.

INSTRUCTION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL

In addition to the practical instructions which each man receives in the performance
of his duties, the following theoretical course of instruction will be given as far as
practicable to all enlisted men on duty with the medical supply branch at a camp:

Lectures on personal hygiene, sanitation, care of the soldier's feet on the march, first
aid, articles of war, military courtesies, Army Regulations, Manual for the Medical
Department as far as it pertains to the care and handling of public property, reports and
returns used in the supply branch of the Medical Department, Quartermaster Corps, and
Ordnance Department, and general orders of the War Department relating thereto.

The following schedule may be used as a guide for practical and theoretical
instructions:

Reveille 6.00 a. m.

Setting-up drill 6.00 to 6.15 a. m.

Breakfast 7.00 a. m.

Practical depot work 8.00 to 12.00 a.m.

Drill 8.00 to 9.00 a. m.

Lecture 10.15 to 11.45 a. m.

Dinner 12.30 p. m.

Practical depot work 1.30 to 5.00 p. m.

Drill 1.30 to 2.30 p. m.

Lecture 3.45 to 5.00 p. m.

One half of the detachment will receive instruction in practical depot work in the
forenoon and the other half in the afternoon. Those not engaged in practical depot work
will attend drill and lectures. Drill will include school of a soldier, school of the squad,
and school of the detachment, as prescribed in drill regulations for sanitary troops, including
shelter-tent drill.

Lectures will be given by officers on duty at the depot, while drills will be conducted
by noncommissioned officers of the detachment, assigned to this duty from time to time,
under the supervision of a commissioned officer of the Sanitary Corps.

A record in book form must be kept of every individual's progress, and his aptitude
will be indicated by marks, using as lowest and 10 as highest mark.

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 419

Should any member of the detachment, after having received instruction for a reasonable
length of time, prove to be not adaptable for this work, he should be reported to the
Surgeon General as being unsuited for duty in the supply branch of the Medical Department,
with a view to having him placed in a more suitable branch. All qualifications which a man
possesses must be reported on the proper form.

REQUISITIONS

All requisitions for medical supplies from any camp must emanate from the office of the
camp medical supply officer. For this reason, requisitions from all organizations must be
submitted to the camp medical supply officer, through the camp or division surgeon. These
requisitions will be filled as far as practicable from stock on hand. Articles not in stock will
be consolidated on a monthly requisition by the camp medical supply officer, unless the camp
or division surgeon should decide that they are so urgently needed as to justify an emergency
requisition.

The camp medical supply officer must endeavor to keep a well-balanced stock of medical
supplies on hand at all times, and if the necessary care is exercised in the preparation of his
monthly requisition for replenishment of supplies it will seldom be necessary to resort to
emergency requisitions.

In preparing requisitions, the nomenclature, order of entry, classification, and the
weights and measures of the supply table will be followed. To facilitate the handling of
these papers, one line of writing only will be placed in each interlineal space.

In requesting supplies, the possibility of the different classes being supplied from the
different depots should be borne in mind, and the articles listed accordingly:
Field supplies from Washington.
Dental supplies from New York.
Veterinary supplies from St. Louis.
Automobile supplies from Louisville, Ky.

A request for these different classes of supplies should therefore be made on separate
requisitions.

All requisitions will be made on Form 35, M. D.; they must be prepared in quadrupli-
cate and forwarded to the Surgeon General through the camp or division surgeon. The
medical supply officer will find it to his advantage to prepare a fifth copy to be retained by
him until the fourth copy is returned to him with action indicated.

All requisitions should be consecutively numbered and kept in a separate file for ready
reference. Special instructions issued from time to time and the directions given in the
Manual for the Medical Department should be freely consulted in the preparation of
requisitions.

The quantities to be asked for replenishment of supplies will be determined in the
following manner: Previous month's consumption to be multiplied by 3 and deducting the
actual amount on hand, will give a balance which should be requisitioned for. If this is
done, a two months' supply will always be on hand, and a third month will be in transit.

PROPERTY ACCOUNTABILITY

The camp medical supply officer is the only accountable officer for medical property at
a camp.

Nonexpendable articles. — These will be issued on memorandum receipts to the divisional
medical supply officer for all organizations belonging to the division, and to the property
officer of the base hospital for all supplies issued to the base hospital, upon requisitions
approved by the camp or division surgeon. This relieves the camp medical supply officer
of the responsibility, but not of the accountability.

Memorandum receipts will be numbered and all items on these receipts abstracted on
a stock card. As this stock card also shows the amount in storerooms, the total shown on
stock cards must correspond with the balance carried on return of medical property. At
least once every three months the stock cards must be carefully checked with the property
return. Any surplus, the cause for which can not be determined, which may appear at this

420 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

time must be taken up on the property return as " Found at camp," and any shortage must
be carefully investigated, and if the missing article can not be located a survey must be
made at once.

Expendable -property. — This will be issued on approved requisitions, or issue slips in case
of base hospital. Receipt for these articles will be acknowledged on requisition or issue
slips. These receipts will be consolidated daily, the consolidated record numbered, and
total amounts entered on stock card. Once a month, total entries on stock cards for that
month will be dropped from the return of medical property. This should be done at the
time when monthly requisition for replenishment of supplies is prepared, as it will show
balance on hand at that time. This balance will be verified by a commissioned officer, by
taking inventory of stock in storerooms.

Red Cross supplies. — Supplies issued by the Medical Department should not be asked
for from the Red Cross. When supplies are given by this organization, the camp medical
officer should be informed at once, so as to enable him to take them up on his return of
medical property. All Red Cross property must be accounted for in the same manner as
regular medical property. A copy of the receipt furnished the Red Cross or, if no receipt is
given, a certificate covering those supplies received will be used as a voucher to the return.

Unserviceable property. — When nonexpendable property in use becomes unserviceable, it
should be turned into the camp medical supply depot, with affidavits in triplicate showing
how the property became unserviceable. These affidavits are attached to the report of
survey or to the inspection report, which will finally dispose of these articles. Unserviceable
bed linen, towels, and ward clothing should be torn up when surveyed and used for cleaning
rags, instead of being turned over to the reclamation or conservation officer. Care should
be enjoined in the use of these rags, lest the supply become exhausted.

Divisional sanitary equipment. — This will be issued by the camp medical supply officer
to the divisional medical supply officer on memorandum receipt, and by the latter in turn to
the organizations. The divisional medical supply officer must inspect this equipment at
least once a month, to see that same is kept intact, in good repair, and that none of the
expendable supplies are used while the division is at a cantonment. This equipment will
be invoiced to the divisional medical supply officer when orders for overseas dutv for the
divisions are received.

CARE OF PROPERTY AT THE BASE HOSPITAL

The property officer is responsible, but not accountable, for all medical property in use
at the base hospital. He must be able to tell at all times where nonexpendable articles,
held by him on memorandum receipt, are located. To enable him to do this, the following
system will be put into effect:

The property officer will make a list of all nonexpendable articles in each department
of the base hospital, to which he will attach the following certificate:

I certify that I have this date received the above-mentioned articles of medical property
from the property officer, base hospital, for which I will be fully responsible until this prop-
erty has been either returned by me to the property officer, or until I have been relieved
of this responsibility by another officer.

[Rank]

This list of property will be submitted to all officers responsible for medical property,
with the request that these receipts be accomplished at once. All items listed on these
memorandum receipts should be entered on the location card. The total of the articles
shown on the location card and all articles in stock in the storerooms should be the total
amount of property for which the property officer is responsible.

An envelope will be used for each department of the base hospital in which will be
placed the memorandum receipt for nonexpendable property, signed by the officer in charge

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 421

of the department, and to this should be added from time to time future issue or credit slips.
Once a month, a new memorandum receipt of nonexpendable property should be prepared
for each department, with the necessary additions and deductions made. Issue and credit
slips can then be destroyed.

These memorandum receipts should be frequently verified by actual check of property
in use in each department.

BUILDINGS

The four warehouses generally built at the base hospital for the storage of medical sup-
plies will be turned over by the commanding officer of the base hospital to the camp medical
supply officer for his use, with the exception of one-half of one of the warehouse?, which may
be assigned for use of the base hospital quartermaster.

The following distribution of storage space will be found to be of advantage and should
be followed as nearly as practicable:

Warehouse No. 1. — (a) Office of camp medical supply officer.

(6) Open stock of field supplies and supplies issued to camp infirmaries, arranged on
shelves.

(c) Blank forms.

(d) Dental supplies.

(c) Veterinary supplies.

Warehouse No. 2. — (a) Property office of base hospital.

(b) Open stock of base hospital supplies arranged on shelves.

(c) Original cases containing base hospital supplies.
Warehouse No. S. — (a) Automobile supplies.

(6) Original case goods, field and base hospital supplies.
Warehouse No. 4- — («) Original case goods, field and post supplies.
(6) Gas defense supplies.
(c) Unserviceable property.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

The return of medical property, which is to be rendered upon transfer of property to
another officer only, will be kept up to date at all times; vouchers must be entered as soon
as they are accomplished. Medical supplies may be received on approved requisitions or
upon the order of the Surgeon General from medical supply depots, or direct from the
manufacturers. If they are received from a medical supply depot the property should be
promptly checked and receipt acknowledged on Form 28. If received directly from the
manufacturer — the medical supply depot, having placed the order, should at once be notified
of the receipt of the articles so that they may be invoiced in the usual manner.

As far as practicable medical property not in original cases should be arranged in store-
rooms in the order as enumerated in the Manual for the Medical Department.

Poisons, liquors, narcotics, and instruments, as well as silverware, should be kept in a
closet under lock and key, the key to be kept in the possession of the supply officer. A
record must be kept of issues of all liquors and narcotics. (See par. 514, M. M. D.)

Antitoxins, serums, and all other perishable articles must be kept in an ice box, but freez-
ing of serums must be prevented.

Rubber goods must be carefully examined from time to time to see that they are not
deteriorating; to prevent this, they should be packed in talcum.

Field chests should be carefully gone over at least once a month to see that they are in
good condition.

Blankets should be frequently inspected and well taken care of so as to prevent their
becoming infested with moths.

Whenever an excess in medical property exists which can not be used at the camp to
advantage, the Surgeon General should be notified in order that instructions for their proper
disposition may be issued. Only serviceable property will be reported if in excess.

422 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

DEPOT INSPECTION

About the time the foregoing instructions were issued it became essential
to supervise and coordinate the work of medical supply officers at the training
camps and larger hospitals. Two officers of the Sanitary Corps, qualified by
long training and experience, were selected for this purpose. They were
detailed as inspector-instructors and placed on an itinerary covering in their
respective circuits all the training camps in a period of approximately two
months. This resulted in what amounted to a monthly inspection of medical
property and property methods at all camps. The object of these inspections
was twofold: To ascertain existing conditions and defects and correct them,
and to impart instruction concerning methods of medical supply work. Their
work along this line was effective and resulted in material good to the service.
A written report of each inspection was forwarded to the Surgeon General. A
copy of one of the earlier reports while these two officers were working together
in the evolution of the plan above outlined appears below. It is typical of
those which followed.

Inspection of Camp Medical Supply Depot, Camp Devens, Mass.

July 8-9, 1918.

Personnel. — Captain, Sanitary Corps, camp medical supply officer, second Lieutenant,
Sanitary Corps, assistant to supply officer.

Enlisted personnel. — List by qualifications and adaptability as to supply work herewith
attached. Instructions are given daily for eight hours; four hours practical, four hours
theoretical. The type of men sent to this depot is very good and come from civil life with
occupations adapted to medical supply work. The conduct of the men is excellent in every
respect, and very little occassion for discipline was necessary. The men are not equipped
for field duty; when men are ordered for duty overseas, equipment is issued to them. A
schedule of instructions given is attached hereto. Men are rationed and quartered at the
base hospital, which is satisfactory. The records pertaining to the detachment are kept in
the office of the camp medical supply officer. The enlisted strength of the detachment at
date of inspection is:

Sergeants, first class 2

Sergeants 5

Privates, first class 7

Privates 65

Total 79

Records. — Records are properly kept and up to date. Property return is rendered upon
the transfer of property only. A separate record is kept for alcohol, liquors, and narcotics.
Stock record is kept on Form 17 and is very satisfactory. Issues of supplies are made on
approved requisitions of camp surgeon only. Only one property accountability is main-
tained at this camp, and all supplies not expendable are issued out on memorandum receipts.
These memorandum receipts are abstracted, thus showing location of nonexpendable property.
This system is considered very satisfactory and the use of Form 17 as stock card is excellent
because these forms are on hand at all depots, and if adopted at other camps this would
make an excellent uniform stock record throughout the country.

Qualification cards of men are kept by camp personnel officer in compliance with existent
orders.

Buildings. — Of the four storerooms, three are used for supply depot, and one is the
medical property storeroom for the base hospital. These storerooms are sufficient for the
needs of this camp. Office is well equipped. Water barrels, fire extinguishers, and water

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 423

buckets are placed throughout each storeroom and 1 noncommissioned officer and 12 men
are detailed to man hose reel No. 29, which is part of base hospital fire apparatus. A sentry
from cantonment patrols grounds where storehouses are located, which provides ample
security against theft.

Transportation. — One motorcycle with side car for use at depot. It is desired that one
1-ton truck be provided for transporting medical supplies about the cantonment. Organi-
zations now call for supplies, but it would greatly facilitate work if supplies could be delivered
with depot transportation. It sometimes requires several days before organizations are able
to secure transportation from quartermaster.

Supplies. — Post supplies are received from Philadelphia and New York depots; field
supplies from Washington. It takes approximately thirty days from time requisition is
made until supplies are received. Express shipments are satisfactory with the exception
that these shipments are generally received in broken lots. In case of loss or damage of
property by transportation companies the responsibility is fixed by a survey; the survey
report contains the necessary data as to accountable officer, appropriation involved and fiscal
year. Generally, supplies arrive in good shape, are well packed, and very little damage has
thus far been caused which could be traced to faulty packing. Direct shipments are
promptly acknowledged upon receipt of same. These shipments are not made very promptly
as specified on order, but this seems to be due to difficulty caused by transportation of same.
A maximum or minimum allowance has not been established; this is impracticable due to
the fluctuations in strength of command and certain supplies used more at certain seasons
than others. Requisitions are submitted once monthly, on the 20th day of each month, and
are consolidated by the camp medical supply officer; one requisition only made for all needs
at camp. Sufficient supplies for three months will be on hand after requisition for this
month has been submitted. A list of excess needs of supplies turned into this depot from
Camp Bartlett, Mass., was submitted to Surgeon General's Office, and authority was granted
to ship these supplies to the Philadelnhia depot; this will be done in the near future.

The provisions of paragraph 514, Manual for the Medical Department, in regard to
liquors and narcotics are strictly enforced and keys are kept by one noncommissioned officer
only, who is detailed in charge of storeroom; these supplies are issued upon approved
requisition by camp surgeon only and receipt is taken on Form No. 16-a for each individual
issue of liquor or narcotics. Check of liquors and narcotics is made once monthly by a
commissioned officer.

Biological products are received from Army Medical School and the Squibb Agency at
Fitchburg, Mass., and Lederle Laboratories; it takes from one to four days to receive these
products from time they are ordered, which is satisfactory.

Post supplies. — There has been no shortage within the past four months; there is now
a two months' supply on hand, and requisition will be submitted to bring this up to a three
months' supply. Bed capacity of base hospital is 2,000. No supplies have thus far been
submitted to the action of an inspector. Articles of furniture which become temporarily
unserviceable are repaired. Woolen textiles are protected and those in use are freely aired.
Rubber goods are kept in dark room and protected with talcum.

Field supplies.— These are issued intact and in original packages and not turned over
to organizations until they are under orders for duty overseas. They are issued on memo-
randum receipts to organization surgeons and invoiced to division medical supply officer
prior to leaving camp. There are at present no divisional units on hand, but requisition
will be submitted as soon as a new division is formed at this camp. There are 19 infirmaries
at this camp supplied from this depot; they are permanent organizations belonging to the
cantonment. Chests stored at depot are kept in their original packages.

Dental supplies.— There are 31 base dental units at this cantonment supplied from this
depot and a two months' supply of dental articles is on hand at present. These supplies
are received verv promptly from New York, and requisitions are filled as put in from here.
There are three portable" dental outfits at this camp, placed in camp infirmaries at the
cantonment; these are only temporarily used until base dental infirmary is completed.

Veterinary supplies.— These are supplied from St. Louis and Philadelphia and are
satisfactory with the exception that it takes a considerable time to receive these supplies

424 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

from St. Louis. A two months' supply is now on hand; one requisition has not yet been
filled. There are approximately 8,068 animals at camp and the capacity of the veterinary
hospital is 400.

General remarks. — The following sanitary equipment is on hand:

Regimental hospital equipment number. _ 1

Litters do 463

Officers' equipment do 6

Enlisted men's equipment do 11

Sufficient first-aid packages, foot powder, and adhesive plaster is on hand to equip
command. A full divisional equipment is now needed to equip a division, and requisition
for same will be submitted this month.

Unserviceable spare parts of ambulances are turned in to reclamation officer and rubber
tires are sent to Louisville, Ky., by freight. At present a small percentage of the permanent
organization use field dressings; i. e., compressed bandages, small packages of gauze, etc.

There is no excess demand of any supplies and no wastage has been noted in any of the
departments.

In emergency supplies can be purchased in Boston, a distance of 35 miles from camp.
Total amount of local market purchases during past three months was $5,603.56, of which
$2,835.48 was for biological products, animals for laboratory, and feed for same. When
Royal typewriters are in need of repair they are repaired by a mechanic sent by the Royal
Typewriter Agency in Boston without cost to the Government.

Remarks. — The depot at this camp is run in a very efficient manner. The men are well
trained in their respective duties. Understudies are continuously broken in, and there are
now two or more men available for each important work. If a man shows no adaptability
for supply work, recommendations should be made to transfer him to another branch of the
Medical Department, but this has thus far not been necessary, as all men detailed here like
the special work assigned to them. It requires at least three months of training to qualify
a man in supply work, and about 3 per cent of the men thus trained would make good
supply officers, based on past experience of about 200 men who received training within the
past eight months. This small percentage is given because the supply officer has not had
an opportunity to test the full capacity of a man who has been with him for a short time.
If more time were given the supply officer in testing out these men, a much larger percentage
would undoubtedly qualify for commissions. In order to give the men a full course of
valuable instructions in supply work, at least one additional commissioned officer of the San-
itary Corps should be detailed as assistant to the medical supply officer to act as instructor,
detachment commander, and personnel officer.

Recommendations. — (1) That one 1-ton truck be provided for use at depot.

(2) That veterinary supplies be shipped from Philadelphia depot instead of St. Louis.

(3) That no field dressings be used by permanent organizations in camp, and post
supplies only be furnished on approved requisitions by camp surgeon.

(4) That at training camps one additional officer of the Sanitary Corps be detailed as
assistant instructor and detachment commander for the men detailed at supply depot.

Inspection of Property Office, Base Hospital, Camp Devexs, Mass.

Property officer. — First Lieutenant Sanitary Corps, National Army.

Enlisted men. — Noncommissioned officers: Sergeant, first class, 1; sergeant, 1; corporal, 1.
Privates: Privates, first class, 2; privates, 10.

These men are permanently assigned to duty with the property office of the base hospital
and are rationed and quartered at the base hospital.

The records are kept by the detachment commander.

Each man is assigned to a certain position in the property office and is not inter-
changed, except when necessity demands it.

No course of instruction is being given to them.

Buildings. — The property office of the base hospital is located in one of the warehouses
intended for the camp medical supply depot.

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 425

The laundry is stored in the laundry building, built in the rear of the base hospital.
These buildings are sufficient for all the needs of the base hospital property office.

The building is protected by 8 water barrels located on the outside of the building and
35 water buckets. A fire extinguisher and 6 water buckets are located on the inside of the
building. The building itself is located in the vicinity of the fire house, about 200 feet from
same. This protection is deemed sufficient.

The buildings are locked at night and the keys kept in the possession of two noncom-
missioned officers. A regular guard is provided for the base hospital who patrols the vicinity
of the warehouse.

Requisitions. — The base hospital has a capacity of 2,000 beds, of which at the present
time about 1,200 are in use.

Requisitions are prepared in the following manner:

The head of each department of the base hospital prepares an original requisition which
is submitted to the property officer on the 5th of each month for supplies needed for the
following month.

The property officer consolidates these requests and forwards this requisition, through
the division surgeon, to the camp medical supply officer. This requisition is then filled by
the camp medical supply officer, as far as his stock will allow.

Additional articles which he may not have on hand are requisitioned for by the camp
medical supply officer and as soon as they are received by him are issued to the base
hospital.

Supplies. — The property officer states that on the whole supplies have been ample and
satisfactory. Tins, too, is concurred in by the commanding officer of the base hospital.
Supplies are generally received within two weeks from the time when requisition was
submitted.

No maximum or minimum limit on stock records has been established, but the prop-
erty officer states that he intends to do so in the future. A month's supply of expendable
articles is carried in the storeroom by the property officer.

All narcotics and liquors are kept in a closet under lock and key. A record is being
kept of the amount on hand and issues made. These records are balanced once a month
and are inspected by the property officer from time to time. The key is kept in the
possession of the sergeant.

A sufficient amount of biological products is kept on hand at the laboratory. They
are procured from the camp medical supply officer and no difficulty has been experienced
in obtaining them at any time.

Accountability. — The property officer holds all nonexpendable property on memoran-
dum receipt from the camp medical supply officer. These memorandum receipts at the
present time are made on issue slips (Form 16B, M. M. D.). No consolidation of these
slips has as yet been made, but the property officer is starting a consolidated record of
his nonexpendable property. As yet he is unable to state the quantity of each article
on hand.

Every department in the base hospital is charged with all nonexpendable property in
use therein. These receipts are signed by the officer in charge of the individual department.
Credits and debits are added from time to time and are posted to date.

A consolidated location card is being kept by the property officer, showing the location
of every article of nonexpendable property for which the property officer is responsible,
and as soon as the consolidated memorandum receipt record is completed the total respon-
sibility of each article can be shown on these cards.

Supplies. — Three regular issues are made weekly.

Emergency requisitions are only made upon the approval of the adjutant. Receipt is
taken for all expendable property for the protection of the property officer. These receipts
are consolidated daily and posted on the stock record and the stock record balanced daily.

Requisitions are carefully scrutinized and only the quantity which is actually needed
is issued.

426 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The property officer states that no medical property is being used improperly. He bases
his statement on the fact that no medical property is being issued by him for improper
purposes.

The property rendered unserviceable is being surveyed by the property officer of the
base hospital and the completed survey reports turned over to the camp medical supply
officer.

Red Cross property. — Red Cross supplies have been received and are being issued. The
property officer keeps a lists of this property and issues it on memorandum receipt to the
different wards. None of this property is being carried on the return of medical property
of the camp.

Recommendations. — The following recommendations are made:

1. That the property officer give a course of instruction to the men on duty at the
property office, covering duties of men in the supply branch.

2. That the men be interchanged in their duties from time to time.

3. That the property officer letain a key to the warehouse in his possession at all times
and that the other key be intrusted to the senior noncommissioned officer on duty at the
property office.

4. That the key to the liquor room be kept in the possession of the property officer and
that the property officer check all liquors in the closet once a week.

5. That the property officer be instructed to make frequent visits to all parts of the
base hospital and assure himself of the fact that all medical property is not being used
improperly.

6. That the property officer make an inventory of all supplies received from the Red
Cross, which inventory he should turn over to the camp medical supply officer, to have
these articles taken up on the return of property. The property officer should receipt to
the camp medical supply officer for these articles, on memorandum receipt.

7. That all unserviceable property be exchanged for serviceable property by the camp
medical supply officer and that the camp medical supply officer dispose of the unserviceable
property.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The regulations in force prior to and for several months following the
declaration of war required an officer in every Medical Department organiza-
tion to take up and account for all medical property which came into the
possession of the organization. 18 Every such officer was required to render a
return upon being relieved of such duty, or yearly, as the case might be, of all
medical property received by him. It was early appreciated that under this
system, a vast number of such returns would be rendered and by a multitude
of different officers, from the training camps; furthermore, it would be very
difficult to settle many of them satisfactorily if it could ever be accomplished.
To lessen the number of returns and to increase the efficiency of the medical
supply service at the camps the following instructions were issued by the
Surgeon General, October 12, 1917, to all camps having a medical supply
officer: "

1. In order to reduce the clerical work as much as possible it is proposed to have all
accountability for the Medical Department property at the camps and cantonments confined
to the medical supply officer.

2. The medical supply officer will be accountable for all medical, dental, and veterinary
property, except web belt equipment in the personal possession of medical officers. The
latter will render individual returns for such equipments as required in paragraph 507 (a),
Manual for the Medical Department.

3. All nonexpendable property will be issued on approved requisitions by the medical
supply officer, who will take memorandum receipts for it.

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 427

4. When an organization is relieved from duty at the camp the Medical Department
property taken with it will be invoiced to the proper medical officer by the supply officer.

5. Nonexpendable property now held by medical officers of organizations should be
invoiced by them to the medical supply officer, who, after verification of the property, will
receipt for it and will take memorandum receipts from the invoicing officer. The invoicing
officer will then close his accountability by rendering a final return in the usual manner,
dropping thereon the expendable supplies for which he may be accountable as well as the
nonexpendable supplies transferred to the medical supply officer.

6. Unserviceable property should be disposed of, as provided in paragraph 678, Army
Regulations, as amended by C. A. R. No. 30, July 24, 1915.

7. Returns of Medical Department property will be rendered by the medical supply
officer, as provided in paragraph 507, Manual for the Medical Department.

8. You are directed to institute such measures as may be necessary to impress upon
all officers in the Medical Department (medical, dental, and veterinary) of your division
that this arrangement is made for the purpose of reducing clerical work and that responsi-
bility for the proper use and care of Government property rests with them as heretofore.

9. If the plan herein outlined is found to be a practicable solution of the accountability
problem, it is the purpose of this office to extend the method by having provided a division
medical supply officer who will secure and distribute all Medical Department supplies for
the division and who will be accountable for same.

10. If any serious objections to this plan should occur to you, or if you have any
suggestions to make in regard thereto, please communicate them to this office as soon as
possible.

Under this plan officers having unserviceable property on memorandum
receipt could take it to the local medical supply depot and exchange the damaged
article for a new or servicable one with no other formality than the necessary
certificates showing how the property became unserviceable. It gave the
medical officer a better opportunity to keep an efficient check upon the methods
used by different organizations in the care of their equipment. 20 It was intended
by these instructions to make the medical supply officer the only officer at the
camp who would account for and make a return of medical property. Account-
ability for expendable property ceased upon issue to organizations. The medical
supply officer was expected to secure duplicate receipts from the officer to whom
the expendable property was issued, but he was not expected to invoice it. 21

REFERENCES

(1) Supply Letter No. 17, S. G. O., July 6, 1917.

(2) Report of the Medical Supply Officer, Camp Lee, Va., October 1, 1917. Subject:

Monthly Report, Medical Supply Depot, for September, 1917. On file, Finance and

o i t\- • • □ n n 534-Misc.
Supply Division, S. G. O., - 1Q — •

18

(3) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the Secretary of War, April 21, 1917.

Subject: Employment of retired noncommissioned personnel, Medical Department.
On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 169, 559.

(4) Letter from the Assistant and Chief Clerk, War Department, to the Surgeon General,

May 18, 1917. Subject: Military Storekeepers. On file, Record Room, S. G. O.,
169, 559-A.

(5) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to The Adjutant General, May 21, 1917.

Subject: Recommendation that retired men be ordered to active duty. On file,
Record Room, S. G. O., 169, 559-C and D.

(6) G. O. No. 80, War Department, June 30, 1917, as amended by G. O. No. 113, War

Department, August 22, 1917.

428 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(7) Telegrams from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to Medical Supply Officers, New

York, N. Y.; St. Louis, Mo.; San Francisco, Calif.; Chicago, 111.; Atlanta, Ga.;
Philadelphia, Pa.; San Antonio, Tex.; and El Paso, Tex., July 24, 1917. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14, 039-174.

(8) Personal reports. On file, personnel division, S. G. O.

(9) Telegram from the Surgeon General to the Department Surgeon, Southeastern Depart-

ment, August 3, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14,738-13.

(10) Letter from the commanding officer, Base Hospital, Camp Sevier, S. C, to the Surgeon

General, U. S. Army, November 22, 1917. Subject: Accountability for medical

534— Misc
property. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 1Q — "•

JLo

(11) Letters and indorsements from division surgeons and commanding officers of base hos-

pitals at various National Army and National Guard camps, October 18, 1917, to
November 22, 1917, relative to medical supply officers and property and property

accountability. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., .-„ - : -

(12) Second Indorsement, from the Surgeon General, to the commanding officer, Base Hos-

pital, Camp Sevier, S. C, December 1, 1917, relative to a separate supply officer for

534— Misc
that base hospital. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — — j^ : -

(13) Letter from the Adjutant General, to the Chiefs of War Department Bureaus and

Commanding Generals of all National Army and National Guard Divisions, De-
cember 21, 1917. Subject: Medical supply officers for divisions and cooks for
regimental medical detachments. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 320.3-1.

(14) Monthly report of the camp medical supply officer at Camp Taylor, Ky., to the Sur-

geon General, U. S. Army, August 31, 1917, on operation of the camp medical supply

depot. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 531 ~ 129 .

(15) Letter from the Surgeon General to the division surgeons, at all National Army camps.

August 17, 1917. Subject: Prompt issue of supplies. On file, Finance and Supply-
Division, S. G O., 5? 1 " 123 .

(16) Letter from the camp medical supply officer, Camp Lee, Va., to the Surgeon General,

U. S. Army, October 1, 1917. Subject: Monthly report of medical supply depot.

On file, Finance and Supplv Division, S. G. O., S34-Misc.
■ '18

(17) Letter from the camp medical supply officer, Camp Dix, N. J., to the Surgeon General,

U. S. Army, September 30, 1917. Subject: Monthly report of medical supply-
depot. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., S31 ~ 123 .

(18) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1916, paragraphs 501-502.

(19) Mimeographed letter from the Surgeon General to division surgeons, October 12, 1917.

Subject: Accountability of Medical Department property.

(20) Letter from the medical supply officer, Camp Lee, Va., to Col. H. A. Shaw, M. C,

S. G. O., August 31, 1917. Subject: Issue of nonexpendable medical, dental, and

veterinary equipment. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 534 ~ Misc :.

18

(21) Personal letter from Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., to Lieut. Col. Levy M.

Hathaway, M. C, Division Surgeon, 33d Division, Camp Logan, Tex., October 6.

1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 53 ir 127 .

'16

CHAPTER XXX

SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT
INITIAL ALLOWANCE

The decision of the War Department to divide the United States into 16
training areas, with a divisional concentration camp in each for the men to be
drafted in the given area, 1 gave rise to new problems in furnishing medical supplies.
Nor were these problems lessened by the further decision to establish 16
divisional training camps for the National Guard. 1 Since the personnel to be
assigned to the concentration, or National Army, camps were without military
training, they were to remain in those camps until sufficiently trained for duty
overseas, and temporary buildings were provided in which to house them ; hence
these places, although they bore the appellation Camp Sherman, etc., were, in
the beginning, generally referred to as cantonments. The National Guard
personnel, on the other hand, were supposed to have had some military training.
Many of them had seen service on the Mexican border the year before, and it was
thought that they could be prepared for the field by a comparatively short
period of intensive training. 1 In view of the shortness of the period during which
these troops were to remain in camp and the expense and difficulties incident
to the construction of the necessary temporary buildings, it was decided to
house them under canvas; buildings were provided for camp headquarters,
hospitals, kitchens and messes, warehouses, and such utilities as required them. 2
Later, infirmary or dispensary buildings were provided for the medical activities
of regiments and other large organizations or equivalent groups. Thus, while
there were to be two distinct types of camp — concentration and mobilization —
because the concentration camps were to be used also for training purposes, the
designation "training camp" came early to be applied to them as well as to the
camps of the National Guard.

The Manual for the Medical Department prescribed that the equipment
for a camp hospital at mobilization camps would be supplied without requisition; 3
that all individuals and organizations would be equipped at those camps with
such articles of medical property as were required by existing orders; 4 that all
individuals and organizations pertaining to the Medical Department would be
completely equipped there; that unit medical equipment and supplies in the
hands of organizations temporarily at mobilization camps would be kept intact
and used only for instruction purposes; and that all necessary supplies for the
treatment of the sick would be furnished from the camp medical supplies in
addition to the unit equipment. 5

It was early decided by the Surgeon General to apply these general prin-
ciples to the training camps. Initial equipment for the number of Medical

429

430 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Department units to be organized at each of the several camps, and a sufficient
quantity of medicines, surgical dressings, etc., to last three months were to be sent
to the camps without requisitions. Unit equipment was to be used for training
purposes; replenishments were to be obtained on requisition by the camp
medical supply officer. These principles will be taken up in detail subsequently.
Because of the apprehension that unforeseen delays might prevent the
arrival of the initial allowance of supplies, as well as the base hospital equip-
ment, in time to be available on the arrival of the troops, and to insure each
camp having some supplies, the officers in charge of the respective distributing
medical supply depots were instructed August 7, 1917, to issue a field hospital
equipment complete, less tentage, to each of the National Army camps in their
districts. 6 They were instructed to notify the medical supply officer to whom
the equipment was sent to turn it over, when no longer needed for camp use,
to one of the field hospital companies to be organized at that camp. 6 A
different policy was followed in supplying the National Guard camps. It was
assumed, from the information furnished by the Chief of the Militia Bureau,
that there would be at least one organized hospital company with equipment
among the troops assigned to each such camp. This equipment could be used
for the temporary care of the sick in camp until such time as the other equip-
ment arrived. Instructions were issued accordingly. 7

UNIT

As stated above, the original plan of distribution contemplated that every
National Army camp would receive all its initial medical equipment without
requisition. This included the combat or organization unit medical equipment
as listed in the Manual for the Medical Department. The instructions to the
distributing depots included in the list of articles to be sent to each camp as
initial equipment a sufficient number of combat equipments to provide one for
every organization entitled thereto. 8

It will be observed from the list of contents of the combat equipment "
that certain articles contained therein were furnished by the Quartermaster
Corps. In time of peace these quartermaster articles were habitually secured
by the medical supply depot assembling the equipment and added to it before
its issue to the using organization. The equipment as issued, then, was complete.
Since the plan of the War Department 9 contemplated that each supply bureau
would provide at the camp all articles furnished by it for the troops being
assembled there, the combat equipment as- issued contained only the articles
furnished by the Medical Department.

A similar condition obtained in regard to the equipment for camp infirm-
aries, ambulance companies, and field hospitals, paragraphs 869-871, 874, and
879, respectively, Manual for the Medical Department, 1916. It became neces-
sary, then, to procure at the camp the articles in these various equipments
which ordinarily were issued by other supply bureaus.

To obviate the failure of any Medical Department organization, through
lack of information, to secure all the component articles of equipment to which

•See Chap. IV.

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE

431

it was entitled, the following letter was sent to the division surgeons of all
National Army camps except Camps Merritt and Johnston, and to all National
Guard camps : 10

1. Table of allowances of field equipment for a division provides 25 combat equipments
and 8 camp infirmary equipments.

2. The medical supply officer at your camp should make requisitions on the camp
quartermaster and the camp ordnance officer, respectively, for the supplies listed in para-
graphs 866 and 869, as supplied by those departments, which are necessary to complete this
number of equipments.

3. At the same time requisition should be made for the necessary quartermaster and
ordnance supplies pertaining to ambulance companies and field hospitals to complete the
equipment of three motorized and one animal-drawn organization in each section, less any
supplies which may have been received with the Medical Department equipment, para-
graphs 874 and 879. A copy of the list of articles to be omitted from the standard supply
table to adapt them to motorized organizations is inclosed.

1. Requisitions for field hospital equipment should specify whether organization is
motorized or animal drawn.

2. The following supplies listed under field hospital (par. 879, M. M. D., 1916) needed
for animal-drawn field hospital will be omitted from the equipment of a motor field
hospital:

Broom, stable.

Brush, marking.

Buckets, galvanized-iron, No. 4.

Case, pocket, farrier's.

Forks, stable.

Head nets, mosquito.

Iron, bar, assorted.

Jack, wagon.

Lampblack.

Leather, harness, black.

Marking outfit, for leather, model 1910.
Medicines and dressings, veterinary.
Nails, horseshoe.
Needles, harness, assorted.
Rivets and burrs, copper, assorted.
Rope, picket line, ^-inch.
Shoes, horse and mule, extra.
Thread, saddler's, assorted.
Wax, saddler's.

3. The following articles in paragraph 880, Manual for the Medical Department, 1916,
will not be requisitioned for a motor field hospital:

Mules:

Draft.

Riding.
Oil, neat's-foot.
Salt, rock.
Shoes, horse and mule, fitted horses (riding),

mules (draft).
Wagons, escort, with harness, complete.

Calks, toe, horseshoe.
Coal, smithing.
Cover, mule, blanket-lined.
Equipments :

Horse (par. 943).

Horse, Quartermaster.

Individual, Quartermaster Corps.
Forage.
Horses, riding:

For enlisted men.

For officers.

4. Requisitions for quartermaster supplies listed in paragraph 880, Manual for the
Medical Department, must be made on blank forms of the Quartermaster Department and
forwarded through the proper channels.

1. Requisitions for ambulance company equipment should specify whether organization
is motorized or animal drawn.

432

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

2. The following supplies listed under ambulance company (par. 874, M. M. D., 1916)
needed for animal-drawn ambulance company will be omitted from the equipment of a motor
ambulance company:

Bags, nose.

Bags, water, pack mule.

Boxes, pack mule, empty, Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,

7, and 8 (par. 909).
Brooms, stable.
Brush, horse.

Buckets, galvanized-iron, No. 4.
Case, pocket, farrier's.
Comb, curry.
Forge, portable.
Forks, stable.
Head nets, mosquito.
Horseshoer's emergency equipment.
Iron, bar, assorted.
Irons, branding, hoof, set.
Jack, wagon.

Leather, harness, black.

Marking outfit, for leather, model 1910.

Medicines and dressings, veterinary.

Nails, horseshoe.

Needles, harness, assorted.

Oil, sperm.

Pannier, veterinary.

Rivets and burrs, copper, assorted.

Rope, picket-line, %-inch.

Saddles, pack (par. 953).

Shoes, horse and mule, extra.

Thread, saddler's, assorted.

Tools:

Farrier's and blacksmith's, kit, and set.

Saddler's.
Wax, saddler's.

Lampblack.

3. The following articles in paragraph 875, Manual for the Medical Department, 1916,
will not be requisitioned for a motor ambulance company:

Mules:

Draft.
Pack.
Oil, neat's-foot.
Salt, rock.
Shoes, horse and mule, fitted horses, mules

(draft and pack).
Wagons, escort, with harness, complete.

Ambulances, with harness, complete.

Calks, toe, horseshoe.

Coal, smithing.

Covers, mule, blanket-lined.

Equipments:

Horse (par. 943).

Individual, Quartermaster Corps.
Forage.

Halters and straps.
Horses, riding:

For enlisted men.

For officers.

4. Requisitions for quartermaster supplies listed in paragraph 875, Manual for the
Medical Department, must be made on blank forms of the Quartermaster Department and
forwarded through the proper channels.

The authorized unit equipments were issued to the organizations entitled
thereto at as early dates as they could be assembled in order that each organi-
zation might become familiar with the equipment upon which it must depend
in the combat zone. It was not contemplated that any of the expendable
articles in these equipments would be used while at training camps. It was
intended that every Medical Department organization, when it entrained
at its camp for overseas duty, would have its unit equipment complete and
intact. Repeated instructions were given to this end and that the organiza-
tions be kept supplied from the camp medical supply depot with such quanti-
ties of medicines, surgical dressings, and other articles as it actually needed. 11
These instructions were given that there might be no excuse for having an out-
fit depleted in any respect when the order came for the organization to embark.

Such was the time required to secure from the several manufacturers the
various articles included in the unit medical equipment that several months

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 433

elapsed before all the organizations in the original call for troops could be sup-
plied. The quantities due organizations were issued on both a priority and a
pro rata basis. The continuing effort first was to equip completely those divi-
sions and smaller organizations under orders to embark in the order of their
priority for overseas duty. Whatever was available after they were supplied
was distributed pro rata to the remaining organizations. It was not until well
along in 1918 that sufficient articles were available to complete the equipment
of all the organizations included in the original call for a million men. New
groups were being called and new organizations were being formed at frequent
intervals and some difficulty continued to be experienced in securing equipment
in sufficient quantities to meet the ever-increasing demand.

Reports on the state of equipment of Medical Department units were called
for so that current information might be available in the Surgeon General's
Office. Equipment was distributed in conformity with these reports. 12

The issue of the individual web belts was made from the field medical sup-
ply depot, Washington, D. C, where the belts and contents were purchased
and the equipment assembled. To insure the issue of these belts to organiza-
tions in their proper sequence, the following instructions were issued: 13

1. The following list shows priority for shipment of web belts for officers and enlisted
men, to be supplied by you as the belts become available. Requisitions that you now have
on file for this equipment for these organizations may be cancelled.

2. 100 officer's belts and 1,304 enlisted men's belts are the authorized allowance for a
division. There should be a reserve stock of 150 officer's belts and 2,000 enlisted men's
belts kept at your depot for emergency issue.

3. Should future requisitions for belts be received for any of the organizations listed
below, they should be filled in the order shown unless instructions are given to expedite
shipment, when such requisition will be given priority over other shipments.

4. Future requisitions marked "Expedite" should be given priority.

Regular Army:
7th Division.
8th Division.

15th Division.
National Guard:

30th Division.

37th Division.

38th Division.

39th Division.

40th Division.
National Army:

76th Division.

National Army — Continued.
79th Division.
81st Division.
84th Division.
85th Division.
86th Division.
87th Division.
88th Division.
89th Division.
90th Division.
91st Division.
92d Division.

CAMP INFIRMARY

As stated above, the plans for the camps and cantonments contemplated
the provision of a small infirmary for each regiment or equivalent group of
smaller organizations. In general it was intended that these regimental infirm-
aries would house the medical detachment with the regiment, provide an office
for the regimental surgeon and for his commissioned assistants a place in which
to hold sick call, a dispensary, a room in which to treat the trivial surgical cases,
and a small ward of 6 to 10 beds in which minor cases of illness could be treated,
30663—28 28

434 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

or serious cases cared for until transferred to the camp base hospital. Folding
metal cots with cotton mattress pads and cotton pillows were provided these
infirmaries instead of the standard hospital bed, mattress, and pillow. The
object in view was to keep the requirements of the infirmary as near those of
actual field conditions as possible.

Many of the National Guard regiments which saw service on the Mexican
border had been provided with a regimental hospital equipment, and it was
concluded that such equipment could be utilized in the regimental infirmaries
while in concentration camps, hence a smaller quantity of equipment was included
in the allowance for National Guard camps than in that for the National Army
camps. It was known that the organizations in the latter camps would be
wholly without equipment when mustered into the service.

A variation was made in the hospital arrangements at Camp Shelby,
Hattiesburg, Miss. The size of the infirmaries was increased and the base
hospital fixed at 500 beds. The regimental infirmaries were of sufficient size
to provide for 20 patients in an emergency. 14 They were utilized to supplement
the base hospital and to relieve the latter of the care of the milder cases. They
were provided with suitable ward and mess equipment for that number.

The purpose in issuing equipment and supplies to these infirmaries in

addition to the unit equipment issued to the regiment was to make provision

for the adequate treatment of the regimental sick and yet avoid using up the

supplies in the unit equipment. It was intended that the unit equipment be

kept intact and used only for drill and demonstration purposes. Also that

when a new organization came to use the infirmary the equipment would be

available.

BASE HOSPITAL

At the time of the entry of the United States into the World War the
Medical Department had regulations for the establishment and operation of
general hospitals and a standard list of equipment for mobile base hospitals
of 500 beds. The regulations for the general hospital in so far as practicable
applied equally to base hospitals. There was no list of equipment for temporary
or semipermanent hospitals at training camps, or for temporary general hospitals
in the home territory. The base hospital equipment of the standard supply
table was meager and built up of various cases, chests, and other types of field
unit containers. Past experience had shown that equipment of that type was
notoriously difficult to procure and could be had only after prolonged delays.
In making plans to equip the large hospitals at the training camps, this type
of equipment was excluded as being neither satisfactory nor available for the
purpose. The Surgeon General felt that such hospitals, although temporary,
would be general hospitals for all practical purposes, and should be provided
with the same type of equipment. Since articles of standard hospital equipment
could be provided much more promptly and at less expense than the field type
and were more satisfactory and comfortable, it was decided to provide them with
standard hospital equipment in such variety and quantity as might become
necessary. A list of equipment, thought to be suitable for a hospital of 500
beds, was compiled as the initial equipment to be issued to the hospitals at all
the large training camps. The quantities of individual articles were based on

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 435

actual peace-time experience of general hospitals and of other large hospitals
established on the Mexican border. The quantities were thought to be sufficient
for three months, or until additional supplies could be obtained on requisition.
The equipment provided for these hospitals included practically all the articles
in the standard supply table listed under the heading "Post supply table."
The primary list was supplemented from time to time by lists of equipment
required for the special services, such as the ophthalmologic^, otolarvngological,
orthopedic, X-ray, and laboratory. Except for the eye service, which always
was very modest in its demand for equipment, the articles required by the
special services were quite elaborate.

When it was learned that the hospitals to be established at the several camps
were all to have a capacity of from 800 to 1,000 beds, the equipment was aug-
mented accordingly. Medicines, mess equipment, and ward equipment were
doubled. The other classes of articles were increased as needed but to a lesser
extent than those just mentioned. By the end of 1917 the equipment for these
institutions had become cpiite extensive and elaborate. The articles supplied
them, however, were standardized and uniform. The surgical equipment was
limited to articles included in the list of "Staple medical and surgical supplies,''
Part I, Surgical Instruments. The X-ray outfits and supplies likewise were
standardized, as were the laboratory and dental equipments.

Studies on this hospital unit equipment were completed in May, 1917, and
copies furnished the New York medical supply depot and the several depart-
ment surgeons. 15 The nonexpendable supplies included in it were calculated on
the actual bed capacity of the unit. The nonexpendable supplies, medicines,
dressings, etc., were estimated on the basis of a three months' consumption
period. The object of this original study was not so much to provide an ideal
unit as to provide a working equipment. Dependence could be placed upon
experience to demonstrate the changes and additions necessary to complete it.
Due account had to be taken of the probable quantity of supplies which would
be available at the time distribution would be made. For camps requiring a
1,000-bed hospital it was contemplated that the 500-bed unit would be used as
the basis, that 50 ward units would be added, and that the medicines, station-
ery, mess equipment, and surgical supplies would be doubled. 16

In the original plan for issuing base hospital equipment it was contemplated
that the bulky articles — bedsteads, mattresses, pillows, chairs, refrigerators,
sterilizing outfits, X-ray apparatus — would be issued to these base hospitals
from the New York medical supply depot or shipped direct from the contrac-
tors. The remaining articles would be issued by the distributing depot to which
the camp had been assigned for supply. 17 In view of the quantities of supplies
at the St. Louis depot, the entire initial base hospital equipment, excepting ster-
ilizing outfits and X-ray apparatus was issued therefrom to the camps assigned
to that depot for supply. 17 Issues were to be made by the distributing depots
upon receipt of information from the department surgeons of the date when
the hospitals at the respective camps would be ready to receive their equip-
ment. 18 The distributing depot, at the same time, was to notify the officer in
charge of the New York depot of the place and name of the officer designated
to receive the supplies.

436 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The original plan, however, had to be modified. Supplies were slow in
becoming available in sufficient quantities to equip all the camps. It was fore-
seen by the end of July that the initial equipment could not reach the camps
before the arrival of the troops if any part of the equipment or supplies were
sent to the distributing depots for issue. It was decided, therefore, to issue
the entire equipment from the New York depot 19 to all camps, except those
for which equipment could be provided from stock at the depots at St. Louis,
San Antonio, and San Francisco. The St. Louis depot was able to supply its
five camps and San Antonio and San Francisco were able to each supply one
or two of those assigned to them for supply. 20 All sterilizing and X-ray out-
fits were to be distributed from the New York depot. The officer in charge of
the New York depot was instructed early in August to issue the initial base
hospital equipment to all camps not supplied by other depots. A list of the
camps to be supplied from that depot was furnished him at the same time.
This officer reported on August 7 that a large force was then engaged in pack-
ing the medicines and other articles which needed to be packed, that shipments
of the other articles were to be made from stock or direct from the factories,
and that it was expected to have the equipment in the camps by September l. 21

Such was the delay in the construction of the hospitals at the several
cantonments that it was feared for a time that they would not be ready for
either equipment or patients when the camps were occupied. Nevertheless,
equipment and supplies were placed in transit as rapidly as they became
available. In many instances the base, hospital equipment in whole or in part
arrived at the camps before storage space was available for it. The various
articles so arriving were stored wherever space could be secured in existing
buildings, or in the open under canvas. 22 Reports received from the various
camps between September 1 and 10 indicated a shortage of many articles of
equipment. 23 In the majority of cases these shortages were relieved before the
need of the particular article became acute.

In order that there might be no unnecessary delay in getting the equipment
in place, the surgeons at all National Guard camps except Deming, N. Mex.,
and Fort Sill, Okla., and all the National Army cantonments, except Camp
Funston and Camp Travis, were authorized to purchase the materials and
employ the labor necessary to install the sterilizers and other apparatus requiring
it which were issued the hospital. Vouchers were to be rendered the Surgeon
General in the usual manner. 24

MOTOR AMBULANCES

DISTRIBUTION

Tables of Organization issued by the War Department in May, 1917, pro-
vided for two motorized ambulance companies and field hospitals in the sanitary
train of an Infantry division. 25 New Tables of Organization, published in the
following April, provided for three motorized ambulance companies and field
hospital companies. 26

Tables of Organization in force, then, at the time of assembling the troops
in the divisional camps called for two motorized ambulance companies. To
equip these two companies in all the camps and to provide ambulance service

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 437

for the base hospitals thereat required approximately 900 ambulanees. That
number of machines could not be produced during the short interval between the
time when funds became available for the placing of the contract and the date
fixed for the camps to be occupied. Ambulance service would be required as
soon as the camps were occupied for the transportation of the sick of the
organizations to the base hospital. The size and arrangements of the camps
were such that many organizations were more than a mile distant from the
hospital. The Surgeon General decided to place the base hospitals at the head
of the list to be supplied with ambulances. Accordingly, instructions were
issued to the motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, August 16, for the
distribution of two motor ambulances to the base hospital at each camp and
to expedite the shipment. 27 The shipments began August 28 and were
completed September 7. 28

A number of ambulance companies had been organized under the auspices
of the American Red Cross. 29 Several of them had provided themselves with
motor ambulances of various types. When. these companies were mustered
into the military service of the United States, as units, 30 considerable difficulty
was experienced in the Surgeon General's Office in the effort to determine just
how many of these organizations had motor equipment and to what camps
they had been sent. Pending the receipt of this information, instructions
were issued by the Surgeon General, September 14, to the motor ambulance
supply depot, to issue the required number of ambulances, including spare
parts car for one company, to each National Army and National Guard camp. 31
Shipments under these instructions began September 10 and were completed,
except for a few spare parts cars, October 25. 32 The delay in issuing spare
parts cars was due to the slowness in receiving a sufficient number of spare
parts bodies at the ambulance depot. 33

The number of ambulance companies providing their own equipment
having been determined, instructions were given November 11, to issue the
authorized ambulance equipment for the second company at the remaining
National Army camps. 34 Practically all the National Guard camps in the
meantime had received their ambulance equipment. Arrangements for
supplying National Guard organizations with motor ambulances through the
Medical Department previously had been made by the chief of the Militia
Bureau.

MOTOR EQUIPMENT OF AN AMBULANCE COMPANY

It is appropriate to state here "that the motor equipment of a motorized
ambulance company consisted of 12 standard General Motors Co. ambulances; 4
1 spare parts car or trailer; 3 motor trucks, lj^-ton capacity; 3 motor cycles
with side cars; 1 rolling kitchen (trailer); 1 motorcar, 5-passenger; and 1 water
cart. Of this equipment the ambulances, spare parts car or trailer, and the
motor cycles with side cars were furnished by the Medical Department and the
remainder by the Quartermaster Corps. 35

The following pamphlet was distributed in December, 1917, to all organi-
zations to which the standard General Motors Company ambulance had been
issued: 36

•For details concerning the motor equipment supplied by the Medical Department, consult Sec. IV".

438 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

1. General. — Extended consideration has been given by the Office of the Surgeon Gen-
eral to the matter of proper equipment and spare parts for motor ambulance service in the
United States and overseas.

Lists, as follow, have been prepared, and methods of procedure outlined, based upon
extended experience in the automobile industry, on the United States border, and in the
service of the allies:

United States standard motor ambulance: This list includes standard chassis parts,
standard body parts, and spare parts A, which, together, make up the United States stand-
ard motor ambulance, complete.

Ambulance spare parts A: Includes spare parts and equipment which are to be furnished
to and carried by each ambulance and spare parts car in the company.

Ambulance spare parts B: Includes spare parts and equipment which are to be furnished
to and carried by each spare parts car.

Ambulance spare partsC: Includes spare parts and equipment which are to be purchased
and maintained by the motor ambulance supply depot, United States Army, Louisville, Ky.,
for service supply of ambulance companies in the United States.

Ambulance spare parts D: Includes spare parts and equipment which are to be purchased
and maintained by the Quartermaster Corps for service supply of ambulance companies over
seas.

2. United States .standard motor ambulance. — This list, which includes standard chassis
parts, standard body parts, and spare parts A, which together make up the United States
standard motor ambulance, complete, is furnished for the information of each commanding
officer. Standard ambulances should be checked over against this list and shortages reported
to:

(a) In United States: Motor ambulance supply depot, United States Army, Louisville,
Ky.

(b) Overseas: Motor ambulance assembling depot, American Expeditionary Forces,
France.

.'?. Road and service repairs (class B), spare parts cars — Ambulance spare parts B : In each
standard ambulance company of 13, one car is designated as a spare parts car, and will carry
the equipment known as spare parts B. This spare parts B is designed to cover roadside
and service repairs and upkeep (class B) over a minimum of six months. This equipment
is to be in charge of, and proper condition of company cars maintained by the mechanics
assigned to the spare parts car, with assistance of operators of the individual ambulances
concerned.

Spare parts B equipment, together with the individual ambulance equipment, should
be adequate for all normal service of the ambulance company, and should further provide
against any except major accidents or overhaul.

4. Ambulance company independent. — With its complete equipment, each ambulance
company should be self-sustaining and independent of garage or base service station or their
tools or equipment. It is of greatest importance that this be clearly understood by com-
manding officers, and that ambulance companies be trained as self-sustaining units, with only
their own mechanics and their standard spare parts A and spare parts B equipment avail-
able for operation and maintenance. #

Much is to be gained in placing ambulance companies at once upon field service basis,
in the matter of personnel, spare parts, equipment, repairs, and in establishing, from the
beginning, procedure which is absolutely independent of that elaborate and unnecessary
equipment found in many service and repair stations. Ability and resourcefulness in
mechanics are far more effective than intricate and special machinery.

5. Mechanics for spare parts car. — The choice of mechanics to man the spare parts car
and handle repair work is of vital importance. Conservative, older men of experience
should be chosen for this work, which is critical to satisfactory service of the company.
Three mechanics should be assigned to each spare parts car.

(i. Maintenance nf spare parts B. — The stock in spare parts B is to be maintained in the
spare parts car:

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 439

(a) In United States: By special requisition on Form 35, through the Office of the
Surgeon General, Washington, D. C, accompanied by detailed report, explaining the need
for parts or equipment requisitioned.

(b) Overseas: By requisition upon the motor transport supply depot, maintained by
the Quartermaster Corps.

7. Major repairs (class C, class D). — Ambulance spare parts C, ambulance spare parts D:
Parts for major repairs of United States standard ambulances, and for overhauling, will be
stocked:

(a) In United States (spare parts C), at motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky.
(6) Overseas (spare parts D), at the motor transport supply depot maintained by the
Quartermaster Corps.

8. Major repairs or overhauling in the United States will be done:

(a) By the mechanics of ambulance company, if competent.

(b) By the Quartermaster Corps repair shops.

(c) By a local garage, under supervision, if competent.

(d) By the motor ambulance supply depot, United States Army, Louisville, Ky., when
the repairs or overhaul necessary are such as to warrant approval by the Surgeon General's
Office, for the shipment to the Louisville depot, of the unit or ambulance in question, for
repair or replacement.

Spare parts, or equipment, for major repairs or overhauling in the United States will
be requisitioned upon Form 3.5, through the Office of the Surgeon General, Washington, D. C,
accompanied by detailed report explaining the need for parts or equipment requisitioned.

9. Major repairs or overhauling overseas will be done:

(a) By the mechanics of ambulance company, if competent.

(b) By the Quartermaster Corps base repair shops, upon requisiton by the command-
ing officer.

10. Detailed reports, explaining the need for parts or equipment, are to be made with spe-
cial care, as these reports will be given weight as indicating the success of spare parts A and
spare parts B, as well as the competence of the mechanics in charge.

Suggestions looking toward improvement of ambulance equipment, addressed to the
Office of the Surgeon General, will receive consideration.

11. Inspection of motor ambulance equipment and procedure will be made from time to
time, and report returned to the Office of the Surgeon General.

SPARE PARTS

The instructions covering the issue by the motor ambulance supply depot
of ambulances to ambulance companies also directed that the full set of spare
parts equipment be issued. Owing to the delay in receiving the factory parts,
many requisitions could not be filled. Authorities were granted for the local pur-
chase, if obtainable, of factory parts when they could not be furnished by the
motor ambulance supply depot.

The list of ambulance spare parts B equipment was revised in the spring
of 1918. A spare parts trailer in which to carry them was developed to take
the place of the spare parts car originally contemplated. One of these trailers
was to be furnished each motorized ambulance company. Distribution was
made in May and June, 1918. ,r In order that the full complement of spare
parts in accordance with the revised list 38 might be on hand, the following
instructions were issued July 18, 1918, to the medical supply officers at all
camps and cantonments: 39

I. Information is forwarded that, through the motor ambulance supply depot, Louis-
ville, Ky., spare parts trailers, complete with spare parts B, have been shipped to all camps
and cantonments, one for each ambulance company of 12 ambulances. Information is

440 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

further forwarded that shipment has been completed of one complete spare parts A
equipment for each ambulance and motor cycle at the various camps, base hospitals, etc.

2. Spare parts B equipment is designed to cover roadside and service repairs and
upkeep over a minimum of six months. This equipment is to be in charge of and the
proper condition of the motor vehicles maintained by the mechanics assigned to the spare
parts car, with the assistance of the operators of the individual vehicles concerned.

3. It is directed that once a month an inventor}' be taken of spare parts B stock,
and regular requisition for complete replacement of same be executed in the regular way
on Form 35.

4. For general operation and procedure, reference is made to " Information and
instructions," pages 1 to 5.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

As reports came in from the camps concerning defects discovered in this
equipment and difficulties encountered in its operation or maintenance, they were
carefully studied and efforts made to correct them. The solutions of these
prohlems were mimeographed at the motor ambulance supply depot and dis-
tributed in the form of maintenance letters 40 to all stations to which ambulances
had been sent. Much of the information in these maintenance letters was
crystallized and, with other important instuctions, printed in a pamphlet and
distributed to the service in May, 1918. 3S This pamphlet contained complete
instructions for the operation, inspection, and repairs of these motor vehicles.

The following instructions were provided for each organization furnished
Medical Department transportation to be conspicuously displayed: 41

Motor Ambulance Operation, Medical Department, United States Army

I. Motor ambulances are to be used for the transportation of the sick or wounded,
and necessary attendants only, except under special authority, as provided in Army
Regulations.

II. The governor on motor ambulances should allow a maximum speed of 20 miles per
hour. Only under the most favorable conditions should a speed of over 15 miles per hour
be allowed. Speed, except under the most favorable conditions, marks the inexperienced
and inexpert automobile driver.

III. Noise of any kind calls for immediate investigation and cure. Knocking of engine,
rattles, squeaks, grinding of gears, loose parts, are bad for the reputation of driver and
mechanic and ambulance. "A stitch in time saves nine."

IV. The engine must not be left running while ambulance is stopped.

V. Drivers and mechanics will be held strictly responsible for "driver's daily inspection"
and "mechanic's inspection" prescribed in Information and Instructions, covering motor
ambulances and motor cycles, published by the Surgeon General.

VI. If inspection shows carelessness, recklessness, or violation of orders, the responsible
officer will take necessary steps to have the cost of repairs charged against the driver or
mechanic, and order proper disciplinary measures.

VII. Daily motor ambulance record will be kept up and filed by each ambulance driver
as directed.

VIII. In no service are proper equipment and expert drivers and mechanics more
critically important to success. The success of the ambulance service of the United States
Army depends upon the teamwork and success of each sanitary train and ambulance com-
pany. The success of each sanitary train and ambulance company depends upon the
individual drivers and mechanics. The individual driver and mechanic means YOU.

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 441

GASOLINE, OILS, AND GREASES

The congressional appreciations for the Medical and Hospital Department
provided funds for the purchase of motor ambulances and, by analogy, motor
cycles used by the Medical Department of the Army in the performance of its
mission. Since this appropriation was chargeable with the cost of the vehicles,
it was held chargeable with the cost of their maintenance and repair. It
was, by the same reasoning, held to be chargeable with the cost of the gasoline,
lubricating oils, and greases required in the operation of such vehicles. The
gasoline, lubricating oils, and greases could be obtained locally by the officer
responsible for motor ambulances and motor cycles by purchase from any
reliable dealer.

The distance of the training camps from cities where gasoline and lubricat-
ing oils could be obtained made their local purchase inconvenient and required
some kind of storage at the camp. To relieve this situation, authority was
obtained from the Quartermaster General in September, 1917, for Medical
Department organizations to obtain these supplies from the camp quarter-
master in such amounts and at such times as required. 42 It was then estimated
that the quantities required per month for the Medical Department vehicles
at each camp would approximate 3,000 gallons of gasoline and 120 gallons of
lubricating oil. The Quartermaster Corps appropriations were to be reimbursed
by transfer of funds from the Medical and Hospital Department appropriation.
This information was published to all Medical Department organizations
September 30. 42

This procedure was modified in February, 1918, by orders from the War
Department, by the following change in paragraph 134^, 1910 Supplement to
the Compilation of Orders, 1881-1915: 43

134}^. Motor vehicles, searchlights, and other power equipment (p. 46, 191(i Supp. C.
of O.; changed by C. C. of O. Nos. 5 and 6, W. D., 1917).— 1. The Ordnance Department
will procure all caterpillar tractors, four-wheel drive trucks, tanks, and other authorized types
of special vehicles normally furnished by that department, and will provide for the repair
and maintenance thereof. Reimbursement will be made by transfer of funds for equipment
or spare parts furnished and repairs done by the Ordnance Department for any other bureau.

2. The Quartermaster Corps will procure, repair, and maintain motor equipment of the
authorized quartermaster standard types and, except as indicated in the preceding paragraph,
will provide for the repair and general upkeep of all other motor vehicles pertaining to the
Army, but any bureau ordering nonstandard equipment will be required to supply the spare
parts necessary for the accomplishment of repair work.

3. The gasoline and lubricants for motor vehicles and other power equipment, including
airplanes, pertaining to all bureaus will be furnished by the Quartermaster Corps.

4. In order that suitable gasoline and lubricants may be furnished for the various types
of power equipment supplied by the different bureaus, the chief of each bureau concerned
will keep the Quartermaster General informed of the quality of gasoline and of the different
kinds of lubricants required for the different types of engines, furnishing specifications if
necessary, and the Quartermaster General will take the necessary steps to conform therewith.

MOTOR CYCLES

Tables of Organization, War Department, 1917, authorized three motor
cycles with side cars for a motorized ambulance company and two motor cycles
with side cars for a motorized field hospital. 25 Motor cycles for such organiza-
tions were provided by the Medical Department, as well as motor ambulances.

442 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The problems of maintenance, repair, and spare parts were entirely analogous
for both. For the sake of economy and simplicity of supply it was early decided
to adopt some one of the standard makes of motor cycles as standard for the
Medical Department. In carrying out this policy the Indian motorcycle with
side car, military model (N. E.), was selected. A set of equipment for use with
each machine was provided. This set was known at first as rider's spare parts
and later as motor cycle spare parts A as distinguished from the more extensive
set provided each ambulance company. 38 It was contemplated that the
mechanics of the ambulance company would take care, also, of the motor cycles
assigned to the field hospital company of the same number. It was also
contemplated that all repairs, except those requiring shopwork, would be done
by those mechanics with the equipment furnished in motor cycle spare parts B.
A complete set of motor cycle spare parts A was included in the original crate
with every Medical Department motor cycle issued.

The plan of distribution of motor cj'cles differed somewhat from that of
ambulances. Ambulance chassis were manufactured at one place and the
bodies at another, which required a third place for their assembly. Motor
cycles were complete with side car and spare parts when they left the factory,
and required no assembly before issue. Accordingly, 25 motor cycles were
sent to each of the medical supply depots at Philadelphia and San Francisco,
30 to Atlanta, 50 to San Antonio, and 220 to Louisville for distribution. 44
Philadelphia distributed its quota to Camp Lee, Petersburg, Va., and Camp
Meade, Admiral, Md., and to Ambulance Company No. 29 and Field Hospital
Company No. 29, at Gettysburg, Pa. 45 Issues to Camps Devens, Dix, and
Upton were made direct from the factory at Springfield, Mass. Atlanta
distributed its quota to Camp Greenleaf, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.; Camp Gordon,
Atlanta, Ga.; and Camp Jackson, Columbia, S. C. San Antonio made its
initial distribution to the ambulance companies and field hospitals of the
Regular Army then stationed in the Southern Department. San Francisco
distributed to the ambulance companies and field hospitals in Honolulu, Hawaii
Territory, and in the Western Department, and to Camp Lewis, American Lake,
Wash. Louisville distributed to the remaining ambulance companies and field
hospitals of the Regular Army and to the remaining National Army camps.
Shipments from the several depots to camps and separate organizations went
forward about the middle of September. 46 Louisville also supplied the various
National Guard camps. 47

Because of continued reports of shortage of transportation from base
hospitals and division surgeons at the various training camps, instructions were
sent October 19, 1917, to the motor ambulance supply depot to issue two
additional motor cycles with side cars to the medical supply officers of all
National Army and National Guard camps. 48 These motor cycles were intended
primarily for the use of base hospitals, but their use for such purposes in
connection with Medical Department administration as deemed most expedient
by the division surgeon, was authorized. 49

Spare parts for these machines were issued from the motor ambulance
supply depot upon requisitions forwarded through prescribed channels. In
some instances the local purchase of parts was authorized. Gasoline, lubricating

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 443

oils, and greases were obtained for motor cycles in the same manner as like
articles for motor ambulances. The component articles in the spare parts list
underwent revision in 1918; as did also the spare parts B equipment. 38

FIELD INSPECTIONS

When the Medical Department undertook to provide its units with motor
ambulances and motor cycles it was aware, in a measure, of the problems
which would confront it, problems of supply of spare parts, and of maintenance
and repair, as well as those of personnel. From the manner of assignment of
personnel to organizations at the establishment of the training camps in the
latter part of 1917, it was inevitable that a large part of those assigned to
operate motor vehicles would be unskilled therein. This could have but one
result — hard usage and lack of intelligent care of the machines. There was a
lack of trained chauffeurs and of skilled mechanics.

When the ambulance companies of the earlier divisions left for overseas
service they were replaced by companies organized for camp service. 50 The
personnel of these companies were selected with greater care than had those of
the earlier divisions. A much larger proportion of trained chauffeurs and
mechanics were found among them, and it was possible to overhaul the
machines as required and to keep them in condition. By this time, too, sets
of standard spare parts equipment A and B had been furnished and were
available with which to make the repairs.

One of the objects sought by the Surgeon General was a force of traveling
inspectors who would visit the several camps at stated intervals, investigate
the condition of the motor vehicles supplied by the Medical Department,
correct defects, and advise with and instruct the personnel operating such
vehicles. This object was not attained until the summer of 1918. Competent
personnel had to be found and trained for the work. But the development of
inspection organizations at the plants manufacturing ambulance chassis and
bodies necessarily had the precedence. Improvements in design and construc-
tion demanded attention. Schools for the training of chauffeurs and mechanics
had to be organized. This all required especially selected and trained
personnel.

By July, 1918, it was possible to detail selected officers of the Sanitary
Corps to visit the camps and inspect the ambulances and motor cycles of the
Medical Department there in use. During these inspections a careful record
was made of every ambulance, motor cycle, spare parts car, and spare parts
trailer, showing its condition and the repairs and adjustments required. At
the completion of the inspection a report was sent to the Surgeon General for
the information and action of the motor ambulance section of the finance and
supply division. Not only was report made of the individual vehicle on the
prescribed form, but an additional report on the general conditions of equip-
ment and personnel was also required. The scope of these inspections and
reports is evident from the following report of an inspection of Camp Jackson,
S. C, ending August 3, 1918. This report has been selected as typical of
those made during the period July to September, inclusive, 1918.

444

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Complete Motor Vehicle Equipment Medical Department, United States Army

Camp, Jackson.

Division, none; sanitary train, none; ambulance company 377.

Location, Columbia, S. C.

Date (end of inspection) August 3, 1918.

Motor vehicle equipment

Model 18 ambulance chassis (O. M. C.)_

Total
number
on hand

Open ambulance body _

Closed ambulance body (Garford)

Ambulance spare parts car iO. M. C) -.

Ambulance spare parts trailer

Motor cycles and side cars (Indian),

Ambulance spare parts A I

Motor cycle spare parts A .._

Spare parts B (ambulance and motor cycle)-

Ford ambulance-.

Touring cars (Quartermaster Corpse Dodge

Cargo trucks (Quartermaster Corps)

Rolling kitchens (Quartermaster Corps)

Water carts, trailer (Quartermaster Corps)

Horse-drawn ambulances (Quartermaster Corps)
Miscellaneous types not included in above -

Ford I-ton truck

Dodge light truck

Ford touring

Chevrolet touring ._

Packard touring (7)

Service-

Unserv-

able

iceable

14

14

1

1

1

2 1

12

1

o 1

1

2

1

1

II

3

'

Where assigned

S base hospital, fi ambulance compan
ics 377.

Do.
Base hospital.

Do.
Ambulance company 377.
See note.
Ambulance company 377.

Do.

Camp surgeon.

Base hospital.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.

Note.— Camp surgeon's office, medical supply officer.

MOTOR AMBULANCES

There were 14 G. M. C. model 16 and 1 Garford closed ambulances at Camp Jackson
at the time of arrival of the inspector; 9 of these were in operation by the base hospital, for
the regular camp ambulance service. The remainder were parked in an open field with the
curtains down and the wheels jacked up and covered with tar paper. The 377th Ambulance
Company, which had been formed for a very few days, had no motor equipment. The
inspector obtained the 6 ears in the field, a trailer, and complete spare parts A for the
company. These 6 ambulances and 6 in use by the base hospital had been sent to Camp
Jackson from Camp Hancock. The 6 in the field had not been operated since their arrival.
No trouble was experienced in starting them.

All the ambulances were in running condition. Those at the base hospital showed
hard service, with little attention. This is especially true of the two original cars assigned
to the hospital. One of these two machines had not had an overhauling since it came and
was in very poor condition. Three cars had loose bearings, one very serious. Nearly all
had head lamp reflectors broken and the driver's cushions were badly damaged, though still
serviceable. The bodies had loose fittings all over. The doors, horns, hinges, and nuts
were loose and tail gate irons were bent. The steps had been broken, but repaired. The
pyralin in the driver's curtains on every car in camp was broken out and on several cars
the curtains had been removed. Governors had been removed from the engines because,
according to mechanics, they had given trouble. Two had been sent to Louisville for repair
several weeks ago and had not been returned, but no attempt had been made to repair the
remaining ones. Two governors had been lost. No tools of any kind were carried in the
cars, but six were equipped with spare tires. The tire irons had been broken away from
the bodies on the other two. The pump gland nuts leaked on all cars.

Of the six cars taken from the field by the ambulance company, three had loose bearings,
two had external brakes which needed relining, and all were dirty. Reflectors and head
lamp front glasses were broken. The driver's seat cushions were in fair condition, as these
machines were all equipped with angle-iron seat supports. One radiator outlet elbow was
found cracked. These cars were repaired under the direction of the inspector and are now

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 445

in first-class running condition. On all cars in camp, fan belts were either loose or had been
replaced by rope belts. It was necessary to requisition five belts to replace those unservice-
able and two other new ones had been purchased in the open market.

According to the mechanic at the base hospital, the men were given very little time to
do the proper work on the machines and, from what the inspector observed, this was quite
true. The cars were going all day long and had to be held out of service to give the inspector
time to do his work on them. For some time the two original ambulances at the base
hospital were all there were in camp, and during this time they were kept running day and night.
It may be said that the cars had been given the proper amount of oiling and greasing, but
very little more had been done. The base hospital adjutant claims that they have not
sufficient transportation and that this is the cause of the severe use of the cars. This phase
will be discussed later.

The base hospital also has one spare parts ear and one Garford closed ambulance.
Authority has been received for the shipment of spare parts car to Louisville, and this will
be done in the near future. The Garford was a gift to the hospital and is a closed city-type
ambulance, the same as the one at Camp Lee. Both were in fair condition.

No ambulances were equipped. The tools had been removed from those in the field out
of service and most of the tools had been lost from those in service. The supply officer had
12 sets of spare parts A on hand, but these had not been issued even to the cars in use.
When the ambulance company took over there six cars, the inspector had them equipped
immediately with spare parts A, one spare tire, and as near a complete set of tools as could
be obtained from the tools on hand. The remaining six sets of A equipment will be placed
in the ambulances at the base hospital as soon as they are taken over by the ambulance
company. That will leave two cars without the spare parts A, and these will be requisitioned
for. The new type tire iron and pintle hook and reinforcements had not arrived at the time
the inspector left, but instructions as to the installation and use of these parts were given.
Two cars at the ambulance company were equipped with power tire pumps. The two
original cars at the base hospital were not equipped with snubber straps, front bumper, or
starting crank boot. All machines except the original two at the base hospital were equipped
with new "motor ambulance operation" sheets. Sheets for these two cars were supplied
by the inspector.

Recommendation is made that repairs be made in accordance with instructions left and
that time be given the chief mechanic by the commanding officers to do the necessary repair
work. This includes not only that repair work necessary to be done at present, but that
which will be necessary in the future. If a machine is in such condition that it should not
make a run, the commanding officers should see that the ear is held out of service while the
repairs are being made. A great amount of trouble comes from the fact that the cars are
held in service as long as they will run instead of putting them in the garage for repair.

MOTOR CYCLES

Two Indian motor cycles with side cars are held by the Medical Department. Both
are out of commission. One had been robbed of parts by the division when they left. This
machine had been taken down for repairs and had been rebuilt as far as possible. All worn
and unserviceable parts have been removed and must be replaced by new parts requisitioned
for. The other motor cycle was found by the inspector between two of the hospital wards,
in the open, with no shelter. According to reports it had been there for two weeks. This
machine was held on memorandum receipt by the camp surgeon's office. It apparently
was in good condition except for the battery. This was dead. Slight adjustments on the
clutch linkage were necessary to allow changing of gears. This machine was starting to rust
just because no care or attention was given to it and because it had been allowed to remain
out in the weather with no shelter.

Parts are being requisitioned for the replacement of those taken from one machine, and
it is recommended that the second motor cycle be given to the ambulance company
mechanics for necessary repairs. This machine by all means should be put under shelter
and oiled immediately to prevent further rusting and abuse. It is necessary to send one
magneto-generator into the factory for repair. Outside of the fact that it had been left out
in the open, the machine had been well kept up.

446 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

SPARE PARTS B AND TRAILER

Spare parts B and trailer were t>oth held by the supply officer when the inspector
arrived. The parts had not been opened except to check them. The first thing done was
to take over this equipment and load the trailer under the direction of the inspector. It is
kept at present behind the company quarters, and keys are held by the chief mechanic and
company supply officer. Parts are issued by the chief mechanic only. When they are given
out, the factory number and name of the part is recorded and the old part taken in exchange.
In this way a complete record is had at all times of the parts issued, and requisition can be
made to complete the equipment at any time without taking inventory. The equipment
was complete when taken from the supply officer and signed for.

Care should be taken to record all parts taken out exactly as they are listed in the parts
catalogue, and requisition should be made once a month to replace equipment in accordance
with instructions given by the Surgeon General's Office.

PERSONNEL

The camp surgeon, Lieut. Col. , has placed Capt. , M. R. C.

in command of the 377th Ambulance Company with First Lieut. , M. R. C, as

assistant. Lieutenant ■ acts as supply and transportation officer. Neither of the

officers in the company are acquainted with mechanical construction of automobiles, and

this part of the organization will have to be handled entirely by Sergt. , chief

mechanic. Captain has driven his own car some, but has done no work on it.

Lieutenant has done no automobile work whatever. Sergt. is essentially a

motor-cycle man, having handled their repair in his own shop for several years. His auto-
mobile experience is limited to work done on cars he had driven and on cars which were owned
by men bringing motor cycles to his shop for repair. However, he has a good knowledge

of automobile construction and is bright and intelligent. Besides Sergeant , there are

at present five other men who have had some experience in garage work, and all of them
are graduates of the Government automobile schools. These schools were especially for the
training of truck mechanics and drivers and were for two months' duration. The training
consisted of lectures, driving, overhauling, and repairing. There, are at present only 28 men
in the company with the intentions of raising this number to 122 enlisted personnel. The
mechanics available now, together with those whom it is reasonable to expect will come with
the additional 90 men, make the future of the company look very favorable as far as the
mechanical work is concerned. The 6 men whom the inspector has classed as mechanics
are all good drivers. Besides these, there are at least 6 men in the organization at present
who can be classed as good drivers. These men are also capable of doing all minor repair
work on machines. Nearly all of the men have done some driving, but can not be called
good drivers.

At the base hospital the chief mechanic is a sergeant, first class. He is essentially a
motor cycle repair man, but has had some automobile work. Together with two other good
automobile mechanics, they can handle the work if given time. The difficulty is that the
cars are running all day long, and no chance is given the men to keep the machines in
proper condition. There is a fairly complete set of tools at the garage supplied by the
hospital, and it will probably not be necessary to turn the cars in to the ambulance
company for repair work.

When the inspector arrived, the 377th Ambulance Company had just been organized,
with a complement of 2 officers and 28 enlisted men. There were no cars and no mechanics

or drivers had been chosen except Sergeant , who had been on duty at the camp

surgeon's office as a driver. No system had been devised for running the ambulance service.
During the stay of the inspector, the commanding officer put aside all of his plans and
allowed the inspector to have full charge of his men with the view of getting some of the
major repair work accomplished, the personnel chosen, and of giving some instruction as to
the repair of the cars and the procedure of handling the work and equipment. This the
inspector did. As has been stated, six cars, trailer, and spare parts A and B were obtained
immediately. The trailer was loaded and full instructions as to its use were given. All the

CAMP MEDICAL, SXTPPLY SERVICE 447

men who claimed to be mechanics were given a chance to work on repairs. Their work was
carefully observed, instructions and advise were given, and in this way a line on the ability
of the men was obtained. Drivers were watched and, together with the chief mechanic,
assistant mechanics, and temporary drivers were selected.

A system for operation of the ambulance service, which will be taken over as soon as
more men are secured, was suggested and explained in detail to the commanding officer.
This system will undoubtedly be adopted. The forms for reports will be used only until
such time as the regulation form arrives from the Surgeon General's Office. The system
suggested is nearly identical with that in operation at Camp Lee. It is as follows: To use
a board showing the location of cars at all times. This will show cars that are out of service
for any reason, cars that are waiting call, and cars that are out on special duty. This
applies to motor cycles as well as ambulances. Space is reserved on the board for special
orders. Holes are drilled in the board under the headings listed above and numbered pegs
corresponding to the car numbers are placed in the proper hole showing where the car is
located. The driver is to receive a written order from the dispatcher, giving the car
number, the time of receiving the call and of sending the car, the destination, and nature
of the case. Upon the return of the driver he will turn in his order with the time of return,
'number of patients and passengers carried, and mileage recorded on it. All the data
recorded on the order will be recorded in an office record, and from this record a monthly
report is made. This monthly report contains a sheet for each car and the data are entered
on it daily. The data shown should include number of patients, number of passengers other
than patients, number of trips, total mileage, total gasoline and oil consumption for each
day. Totals for the month should be entered, and from these miles per gallon of oil and
gasoline should be shown. As has been said, the paper work in connection with this system
should be used only until such time as the regulation daily car report forms come from the
Surgeon General's Office.

No inspection is held at the base hospital garage, nevertheless the ears are kept
very clean and orderly. No mechanical inspection is held. It is doubtful if a mechanical
inspection would be of much use under present circumstances, because as it is the mechanic
knows that there is lots of work to be done, but no time is given him to do it.

After talking with Captain it is thought best to hold inspection of the ambulance

company cars in the following manner: The driver and his orderly will make the daily
inspection in accordance with notes in "Instructions and information." The commanding
officer will make weekly inspection relative to the cleanliness of the car and the mechanical
parts he is capable of handling. The chief mechanic and his assistants will make weekly
inspection to check up the driver and his orderly.

If anything is found out of order by the driver or his orderly, it is to be reported
immediately in writing to the chief mechanic, whose duty it shall be to determine as closely
as possible the extent of the repair work necessary. If the driver and . orderly are capable
of making the repair themselves, they should be allowed to work on the machine in
connection with the mechanics. The driver and orderly should by all means be held
responsible for keeping the car well oiled, greased, and tightened. In order to minimize the
loss of tools, the drivers are required to sign memorandum receipts for the tool and spare
parts A equipment. In this way the driver will be more careful of his equipment, and the
entire equipment will be checked once a week by the commanding officer during his regular
time for inspection.

HOUSING

At present the ambulance company is housed in temporary quarters and keeping its
cars in the open. No buildings are available, however, for the housing of the ambulances or
for a garage. The camp surgeon has put in a request to the constructing quartermaster,
however, for a building, sufficiently large to accommodate all the motor equipment of the
company and also to provide additional space for a garage. This building should be heated
in winter, and the garage should be equipped with a concrete floor and work bench. The
garage should be large enough to hold at least two cars, one spare parts trailer, and a good-
sized work bench. This building is recommended by the inspector.

448

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The base hospital at present has a heated garage containing a concrete floor and bench
and sufficiently large to hold 4 cars. An additional building has already been approved
which will be used for car storage. This will be heated and contain 10 cars and will readily
supply their needs.

MOTOR TRANSPORTATION

The base hospital is equipped witli the following transportation secured from the
sources noted:

Ford 1-ton trucks (gifts) 2

Ford touring car (gift) 1

Dodge light truck (canteen fund) 1

Chevrolet touring car (canteen fund) 1

Chevrolet touring cars (base hospital fund) 2

Packard, 2-25 7-passenger car (base hospital fund) 1

The two Ford trucks are in very bad shape. They are in service from early morning
to late at night, and no time is given for repair. Parts are bought for them from local
dealers as they are needed, and the sole idea seems to be to keep them running regardless -
of the condition they are in. The remaining cars are in fair condition.

Gasoline, oil, and spare parts for the trucks are purchased with the money from the
hospital and canteen funds, according to instructions given by Colonel .

The Packard is used exclusively by the nurses for their own personal affairs. The Ford
is used for messenger service in the camp because of an order which states that communi-
cations between headquarters will be delivered by messenger and not by mail. The
remaining touring cars are used for transporting officers around the camp in their regular
line of duty. The inspector had a conversation with the adjutant and the commanding
officer at the base hospital in regard to the transportation, and they desired three motor
cycles in addition to the transportation they now have. As it is at present they have one
7-passenger car which is not used in the regular line of duty. These cars were bought out
of their own funds because it was necessary to have transportation in addition to that
which the Medical Department gives them; the Quartermaster's Department will not give
them anything. Two additional 1-ton trucks have been ordered, but have not arrived.
The trucks are used for hauling supplies for the canteen, for the mess, and for hauling
medical supplies from the supply depot to the hospital.

The medical supply officer has no transportation at present. His motor cycle is waiting
for parts which, according to him, were requisitioned for last March. Some of the parts
came, but others he ordered were left out and the machine could not be put together. The
Quartermaster Corps does haul his supplies, but they are delayed and sometimes he has
great difficulty in getting them at all. This problem sometimes arises when the situation
is acute. There is no transportation available for the commanding officer of the ambulance
company other than ambulances, and there is no doubt but what ambulances will be used
for carrying on the company administration if motor cycles are not provided.

At the Camp Surgeon's office there is one Dodge touring car for the use of the entire
office. This Dodge is held on memorandum receipt from the quartermaster. It is by no
means adequate for their needs, and the inspector is informed that if more transportation is
not secured it will be necessary to obtain more medical officers to do the required amount
of work for this camp.

The matter of additional transportation was talked over with the camp surgeon, base
hospital adjutant, medical supply officer, and the ambulance company commander. The
following additional transportation is necessary to carry out the required work in satisfactory
manner:

The detachment Sanitary Corps at present has no transportation and is in need of two
lj^-ton trucks for the transportation of labor and material and one motor cycle with side car.

The camp surgeon's office requires in addition to one touring car, 3 motor cycles with
side cars and 1 other touring car.

The base hospital requires 3 motor cycles with side cars, the medical supply depot is in
need of one 1-ton truck for hauling supplies from freight cars to the warehouses, and the

CAMP MEDICAL, SUPPLY SERVICE 449

ambulance company is in need of 2 motor cycles with side cars. After consultation with
the medical officers concerned, it is the inspector's opinion that the above additional
transportation noted does not appear to be in excess of their respective needs.

DENTAL

The earlier conception of the need for dental treatment required in the
training camps contemplated only emergency work. This conception probably
evolved from the manner in which, for many years, dental treatment had been
administered in the Army. The extent to which restoration procedures were
later carried at the various camps was not and, in the absence of a knowledge
of the conditions which would arise, could not have been visualized at that time.
The original orders placed for dental equipment were for portable outfits for
camp organizations and a base dental outfit for the base hospital. Having in
mind the difficulties and delays encountered during the preceding year in the
purchase of these outfits, slow delivery was expected. In the original distri-
bution an effort was made to have it as equitable as possible. Department
surgeons were informed that two outfits would be sent to each camp and the
number increased in accordance with actual deliveries. 51 Officers in charge of
the distributing depots were instructed September 18, 1917, to distribute pro
rata among the camps supplied by them the portable outfits ordered to them
from the New York medical supply depot. 52 The demand for these outfits
becoming insistent, authority was given for the local purchase of such supplies
authorized on the standard supply table as were obtainable. 53 It became
necessary on account of the shortage of dental supplies to forward all dental
requisitions to the New York depot for issue. 54

The principal difficulty in providing dental equipment continued to be in
1917, as in 1916, the dental engines and the chests in which to pack the
equipment. It became apparent in November, 1917, that if the dental surgeons
going overseas were to be provided with portable dental outfits some different
equipment must be furnished for camp use. Less difficulty was experienced
in procuring heavy standard base dental chair and electric dental engines.
Since there were approximately 30 dental surgeons with mobile organizations
at the camps, two dental infirmaries were established at each camp. 55 These
dental infirmaries were designed to provide space for the dental surgeons. The
equipment for a unit of nine operating dental surgeons and one exodontist was
developed, and three such units ordered to each National Army camp early in
November, 1917. 56 Division surgeons were instructed to place these unit
equipments in use immediately upon receipt in any suitable space available
pending the construction of dental infirmaries. As soon as these dental units
had been placed in use, the portable dental outfits were to be turned into the
camp medical supply officer, who was directed to replenish and complete them,
and hold them for issue upon instructions from the Surgeon General. a

Although dental unit equipments were authorized for all camps in November,

1917, reports from the various camps indicate that it was not until May and

June of the following year that dental infirmary buildings were sufficiently

complete to receive the equipment. 58 In most of the camps, both National

30663—28 29

450 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Army and National Guard, some organizations were housed at a considerable
distance from the dental infirmaries. It was inconvient and often impracticable
for these organizations to receive treatment at the dental infirmaries. There
were, too, as a rule, more dental surgeons in the camp than there were chairs
in the dental infirmaries and base hospitals; to provide these extra dental
surgeons with equipment and to bring the treatment within easy reach of the
distant organizations, portable dental outfits in sufficient number were issued for
their use. These portable outfits were left at the camp when the division left
for duty overseas. By the end of May, 1918, practically every division had
been provided with 30 portable outfits. 59 Tables of organization were amended
in March, 1918, to provide for the attachment of 31 dental surgeons, of whom
one was an acting division dental surgeon, and 32 enlisted assistants to each
division ordered overseas. 60 This made necessary the 30 outfits furnished.

It having been reported by the inspectors of medical property at camps
that excessive quantities of certain dental supplies were on hand at some of the
camps, a report of the quantities on hand and monthly expenditures of dental
cements, cotton rolls, and dental napkins was called for July 23, 1918. The
reports received in response to this call indicated a total monthly expenditure
of these article, at 23 camps reporting, to be cement, 2,067 boxes; cotton rolls,
640 boxes; dental napkins, 333 boxes. The averages for the camps reporting
were cement, 89.87 boxes; cotton rolls, 27.82 boxes; dental napkins, 14.47
boxes. The maximum quantities expended at any one camp were, cement, 500
boxes; cotton rolls, 100 boxes; dental napkins, 40 boxes; and the minimum,
cement, 6 boxes; cotton rolls, 5 boxes; dental napkins, 3 boxes. 61

VETERINARY

In planning the initial distribution of supplies and equipment to both the
National Army and the National Guard camps, veterinary equipment and
supplies received full consideration. The great difficulty in planning for this
distribution, until the revision of Tables of Organization in August, 1917, had
been furnished the supply bureaus, was the uncertainty in the number and
distribution of public animals, the number and location of remount depots, and
the relation of the auxiliary remount depots to the camps, whether an activity
of the camp or an independent unit. While the actual number of animals for
which provision had to be made differed at the various camps, it was assumed
to be about 10,000 animals, including those at the auxiliary remount depot
adjacent to the camp.

Using 10,000 animals as a basis, a list of the initial equipment and stock of
supplies was compiled in August, 1917. Copies of these lists were furnished
the medical supply officers at all distributing and camp depots August 17, 1917.
The officer in charge of the medical supply depot at St. Louis, Mo., was
instructed on that date to issue quantities of the various articles on that list,
less stationary, to the medical supply officer at the 14 National Army and 9
National Guard camps lying to the eastward of the western boundaries of the
States, Minnesota to Louisiana, inclusive, and including Camp Funston, Fort
Riley, Kans. 62 The officer in charge of the San Antonio depot was expected to
supply the camps in the Southern Department 63 from the stock turned over to

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 451

him by the local depot quartermaster. The San Francisco medical supply
depot was expected to supply the camp on the Pacific coast either from supplies
received from the depot quartermaster in that city or from those to be
transferred to him from St. Louis. 64 The instructions of August 17 directed
that shipments be expected so as to reach the several camps before September
1, if that were possible. If the entire quantities on the list were not available,
shipment was to be made of such articles and quantities as were available.

A further study was made of the quantities to be issued as the initial supply
contemplated to be sufficient for a division for three months. A revised list was
furnished the St. Louis Depot on September 17, with instructions to substitute
it for the one previously sent. 65 Instructions were issued the same date for the
shipment to the San Francisco medical supply depot of three times the quantities
on the revised list. 66

A complete veterinary supply table was published September 29, 15)17, in
tentative form pending its formal puhlication, and widely distributed for the
guidance of veterinary and other officers of the Medical Department. It became
official in Changes No. 4, Manual for the Medical Department, published Novem-
ber 19, 1917. This list was furnished all division surgeons, all department
surgeons in the United States, and the officers in charge of distributing depots,
December 20, 1917. Articles in excess of the allowance were to be issued only
upon conclusive evidence that the authorized quantities were inadequate. The
same instructions directed that all requisitions for veterinary supplies be sentjto
the Surgeon General for approval. 67

It became evident early that, to comply with interstate commerce regula-
tions governing the shipment of horses, large quantities of mallein would be
required. Those regulations required that horses be shown to be free from
glanders before they were placed on cars for interstate shipment. To make
these tests, it was essential that comparatively fresh mallein be used. The
Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Agriculture, used large quantities
of this substance in its routine work and readily agreed to supply the Army
with the quantities it needed. Accordingly arrangements were made with that
huroau in September, 1917, to furnish each auxiliary remount depot 2,000 doses
of mallein per week for five weeks. 68 Most of our Cavalry organizations were
in the Southern Department at this time. Changes of station of these organi-
zations were frequent and often unexpected. Glanders was more prevalent in
that department than elsewhere. The delay incident to forwarding to the
Surgeon General telegraphic requests for mallein often proved inconvenient and
caused some confusion. To overcome this difficulty the Surgeon General made
arrangements with the Bureau of Animal Industry to forward, during October,
1917, to the medical supply depot, San Antonio, Tex., 50,000 doses of mallein.
Of this quantity, 25,000 doses were placed at the disposal of the department
surgeon for issue to organizations under the control of the department com-
mander. The remaining 25,000 doses were held for issue, subject to telegraphic
instructions from the Surgeon General to the various training camps in that
department, directly under the War Department. 69 Mallein was furnished
thereafter to all organizations requiring it upon telegraphic request to the
Surgeon General. Upon receipt of these requests, they were transmitted to

452 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

the Bureau of Animal Industry by telephone and confirmed in writing. Ship-
ments then were made by that bureau direct to the using organization.

The quantity of mallein furnished the Army by the Bureau of Animal
Industry reached huge proportions. During the month of August, 1918, more
than 350,000 doses were furnished. During the preceding five months the
quantity had averaged 273,000 doses per month. 70

Other biologicals for veterinary use were procured from the same sources
and in the same manner as those for human use. The veterinarian who required
them, if at or in proximity to a training camp, made request upon the local
medical supply officer, who purchased from the designated biological manufac-
turer. Requests from veterinarians at stations under the control of a depart-
ment commander were sent to the department surgeon of that department.
Those from other exempted places were sent to the Surgeon General. Issues
were made promptly in all cases. The biological products authorized for
veterinary use were very few, principally mallein and tetanus antitoxin.

The allowance of veterinary officers was fixed in October, 1917, at the ratio
of 1 to 400 animals. On that basis the number of veterinary officers allowed
at that time was approximately 800. The individual equipment ordered for
such officers was considerably in excess of that number. 71 The number was
increased later.

Veterinary surgical instruments proved to be difficult to obtain and did not
become available for distribution until the early part of 1918. They were
supplied, as they became available, by the depot at St. Louis, Mo., in accordance
with original instructions. 72

REQUISITIONS

Requisitions for medical property originating within the training camps
may be grouped definitely into two classes: Those requiring the shipment of
supplies to the camp medical supply depot (depot requisitions); those con-
templating distribution within the camp of supplies from that depot (unit
requisitions) .

DEPOT REQUISITIONS

The Manual for the Medical Department provided for two general classes
of depot requisitions, annual and special, for use in time of peace and within
the home territory in time of war. Annual requisitions usually were prepared
on a printed form known as Form 33. This form contained the names,
arranged in proper sequence, of every article for which a fixed annual allowance
was prescribed on the standard supply table. In preparing this requisition,
there were entered opposite each item the quantities "on hand" and the
quantities "wanted" represented the difference between the quantities "on
hand" and the quantities allowed in the standard supply table for the
authorized strength of a garrison of the size stated at the top of the requisition
to be that of the garrison whence it was forwarded. This requisition was
required to be forwarded to the department surgeon of the territorial depart-
ment wherein it originated, not less than 20 days before the beginning of the
year commencing January 1, unless otherwise designated by the Surgeon
General. After examination, modification, if need be, and approval by the

CAMP MEDICAL, SUPPLY SERVICE 453

department surgeon, a copy, with his action indorsed thereon, was forwarded
to the depot designated to make the issue. Another copy was forwarded to
the Surgeon General. The third copy was retained in his files, and the fourth
copy was returned to the officer forwarding the requisition. The medical
supply depot receiving the requisition shipped the supplies in due course and
invoiced them to the surgeon of the station whence the requisition came. 73

Special requisitions were requests for supplies in excess of the quantities
allowed on the standard supply table, for articles on that table but for which
no annual allowances were prescribed, and those for articles which did not
appear on the standard supply table. These requisitions were prepared on
Form 35, typewritten, and the articles were entered in accordance with the
general arrangement of the supply table. The reasons for the items and quanti-
ties entered on this form of requisition were required to be entered in the column
of remarks. Special requisitions, as well as annual, were forwarded to the
department surgeon unless they originated with an independent unit. In the
latter case they were sent direct to the Surgeon General. The department
surgeon, after taking such action as in his judgment was appropriate, indorsed
his action on all four copies of the requisition, retained one copy for his office
file and forwarded the three remaining copies to the Surgeon General. The
latter approved or altered the requisition as seemed appropriate, retained one
copy for file, forwarded one copy to the designated medical supply depot for
issue, and returned the third copy to the surgeon, through the department
surgeon, with the modifications, if any, noted thereon. Issue and invoice was
made by the depot in the same manner as with the annual requisition. Special
requisitions were forwarded annually, quarterly, or in an emergency. All copies
of the requisition were signed by the surgeon of the post where they originated. 74

This regulation, requiring the action of the Surgeon General's Office on all
special requisitions, was found to be impracticable during the mobilization of
1916 on the Mexican border, and authority to act on all requisitions within the
Southern Department was delegated to the department surgeon of that depart-
ment. Requisitions for supplies for the medical supply depots in that
department, with few exceptions, were forwarded to the Surgeon General.
With the impending entry of the United States into the World War, this author-
ity was extended to the department surgeons of the other territorial departments
within the United States, but requests for articles not on the supply tables, or
in excess of the quantities allowed by the tables, still required the action of
the Surgeon General. 75

The department surgeons were informed, May 25, 1917, that at each can-
tonment the divisional hospital was expected to issue to the regimental infirm-
aries such articles, dressings, and medicines as they might need for routine use. 76

While it was contemplated that the camp medical supply officer would be
the one officer at the camp to forward requisitions for medical supplies for the
given camp, many requisitions from individual units in the camps found their
way to the distributing depots, probably because the camp depot did not have
the articles in stock. This materially increased the work of the distributing
depots and added to the confusion and congestion of supplies in the camps.
The demands for supplies in the quantities approved threatened to exhaust

454 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

the stock of supplies at an early date. It was apparent that some way must
be found whereby the quantities issued could be controlled to such an extent
and the available supply so distributed that all camps might have an equitable
share. It appeared necessary, to accomplish this end, that all requisitions,
except those of the utmost emergency, be reviewed in the Surgeon General's
Office. To effect this change the following instructions were issued to
all camps. 77

1. All requisitions for supplies from divisional training camps will be prepared by the
camp medical supply officers and forwarded through their respective division surgeons to
this office for action. These requisitions should be prepared separately for post, field,
dental, X-ray, laboratory, veterinary, and automobile supplies. Three copies are required.
Division surgeons are directed to scrutinize all requisitions very carefully, with a view
to eliminating all unnecessary supplies.

2. Medical supply officers at camps are authorized to make local purchases of articles
on the supply tables (excepting portable dental outfits or other expensive equipment) which
are not in stock and for which urgent need exists, in such quantities as will last until supplies
can be had on requisition.

3. The purchase of articles not on the supply table not to exceed $100 per quarter may
be made without reference to this office, but in every such instance the purchase must be
covered by a certificate from the officer directing the purchase, showing the necessity there-
for and stating why the articles on the supply table could not have been used for the purpose.
Printing and rubber stamps are included in this allotment (Everson & Reed, New York,
furnish satisfactory stamps). Purchases should be vouchered monthly in conformity with
Army Regulations and the instructions on Form, 330, public service voucher.

The various instructions covering the preparation and forwarding of
requisitions were revised and published December 5, 1917, as paragraph 25,
Supply Letters Nos. 1-23, inclusive/ Sufficient copies of this compilation were
sent to every camp to provide one for every officer of the Medical Department
on duty thereat with a personal copy.

The date on which the monthly requisition was to be forwarded differed
at different camps. The total number of camps, hospitals, etc., from which
requisitions were received was 75. This number was divided into three groups,
and a different date assigned to each group, so that the receipt of the requi-
sitions in the Surgeon General's Office would be fairly evenly distributed
throughout the month. The 1st, 10th, and 20th were the days designated for
forwarding the requisitions. Each camp was notified on which of these three
days its requisition would be forwarded.

Although efforts were made constantly to prevent waste and to insure
economy in the use of supplies, it was never the purpose of the Surgeon Gen-
eral to impose hardships upon the hospitals in the care of the sick. It was
realized that the majority of the professional personnel on duty at these hos-
pitals were unfamiliar with Army methods and Army supplies, that many
emergencies would arise where new and different remedies or apparatus would
be required, and that many demands would be made which could not be met
from stock and where material inconvenience would result from the delay in
securing the needed articles by requisition even if submitted by telegraph. To
provide for such conditions and to obviate delays in receipt of supplies and the
resultant complaints, commanding officers of the hospitals at the various camps

« See appendix, p. 864.

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 455

were authorized to make local purchases. The extent of the authority, its
limitations, and requirements are given in the following letter:

February 26, 1918.
From: The Surgeon General, United States Army.
To: The commanding officer, base hospitals.
Subject: Authority to purchase medical supplies.

1. Referring to paragraph 25a of " Supply Letters 1 to 25, inclusive," your attention is
invited to the provision therein made for purchasing locally such articles as may be needed
to save life or prevent suffering.

This provision should be given a liberal interpretation, especially as regards medicines,
dressings, instruments, and appliances urgently needed to care properly for the sick or injured.

Purchases made under these circumstances need not necessarily be limited to articles
listed on the supply table if other articles of a similar character are considered better or if
they are more readily procurable. If articles not enumerated in the supply table are needed
for the proper operation of your hospital and such articles can not be procured promptly in
the local market, requisition should be made for same by telegraph if the need is urgent.

2. An allotment of $100 per month has been made to your hospital, to be used as you
may consider necessary for making purchases properly chargeable to the appropriation
"Medical and hospital supplies." Great care should be taken that no purchases be made
that can not be paid for from that fund. Should such illegal purchases be made, the expend-
iture will be disallowed by the Treasury Department.

3. For emergency purchases involving expenditures in excess of your allotment you
should, unless the need for immediate action is urgent, telegraph the Surgeon General for
authority to make the purchase.

4. The purchases should, when practicable, be made by the camp supply officer.
Properly executed vouchers for purchases made under this authority should be rendered
promptly at the end of each month.

5. The authority for emergency purchases herein given is not to be construed as in
any way relieving you from the responsibility of making timely requisition for supplies
necessary in the proper administration of your hospital. In this connection you should bear
in mind present transportation difficulties and make liberal allowance for delays in the
delivery of supplies.

6. It is requested that the receipt of this letter be acknowledged.

By order of the Surgeon General:

C. R. Darnall,

Colonel, Medical Corps.

To provide a definite basis upon which to determine the quantities to be
entered upon the monthly requisitions, the following plan was adopted and
issued to the medical supply officers at all National Army and National Guard
camps and ports of embarkation, and to all numbered general hospitals and

other large hospitals:

June 3, 1918.
From: The Surgeon General.
To: Medical supply officers.
Subject : Requisitions.

1. Beginning with the next requisition forwarded by you after receipt of this letter, the
following instructions will be observed:

(a) Change the heading of column 1 to read "Issued during previous month." Enter
in this column all articles actually issued by you whether on memorandum receipt or other
manner of transfer.

(5) In the second column, "Amount on hand," enter in the case of expendable articles
the quantities actually in the storeroom on that date. In the case of nonexpendable articles,
the quantities in the storeroom and on memorandum receipt.

(c) In the column "Wanted" enter, for expendable articles, three times the quantity
in the first column less the quantity in the second column. In the case of nonexpendable

456 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

articles, enter the probable requirements, and in the column of "Remarks" opposite each
item a statement showing the necessity for the increased issue.

2. This will serve to provide you with two months' stock in the depot and one month's
supply in transit.

3. Every article of your stock should be carefully checked once per month. If the
quantity of any article on hand does not equal a three months' supply as determined by
multiplying the last preceding month's issue by 3, you should request a quantity sufficient
to cover the deficiency.

By order of the Surgeon General:

Edwin P. Wolfe,

Colonel, Medical Corps.
This method continued in force until the supply activities of the Medical
Department were absorbed by the purchase, storage, and traffic division of the
General Staff, November 24, 1918. Reports from the camp depots during the
closing months of the war indicated that the supplies on hand were ample except
for a few minor items of dental supplies. Organizations were receiving their
unit equipment promptly. Those arriving at the embarkation camps with
shortages in unit equipment had their equipment promptly completed. 78
Existing orders required that troops embarking for overseas duty take with
them as baggage their medical combat equipment less litters and a camp
infirmary reserve (par. 871, Manual for the Medical Department, 1916). 79

UNIT REQUISITIONS

The organizations whose requests for medical supplies are classed under
this heading were the detachments of Medical Department personnel attached
to regiments, detached battalions, companies, divisional trains, and other like
organizations of the line of the Army, and the component elements of the
sanitary train, ambulance companies, and field hospital companies. The
equipment provided in the Manual for the Medical Department for these
medical detachments when the organizations to which they were attached
operated as part of an assembled division consisted of the individual equipment
of the Medical Department enlisted men and a combat equipment. Additional
surgical dressings and a few litters were carried on the ammunition wagons.

The combat equipment was devised to meet the requirements of regiments
of strength from 1,000 to 1,200 men. When the regiments were so increased
in size during the fall of 1917 that a single battalion numbered 1,000 men, the
number of combat equipments allowed a regiment was increased from 1 to 3.
This provided one for each battalion. 80

In addition to the combat equipments, there was allowed a camp infirmary
equipment for each regiment. Eight such infirmary equipments were allowed
an Infantry division. 81

It was contemplated that the surgeons of regiments, separate battalions,
trains, and other organizations would keep their supplies and equipment
replenished by timely requisitions. 82 It had been contemplated that a certain
number of the camp infirmary equipments issued to a division would be held
in reserve by the officer in charge of medical supplies and placed under the
immediate charge of the director of ambulance companies. 83 It was also
contemplated that, in time of combat, the expenditure of dressings, etc., from
the equipment of regimental organizations would be replenished from the
reserve supplies of the nearest ambulance company. 84

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE

457

The complete medical unit equipment of an Infantry division at war
strength in 1918 consisted of the following:

Division surgeon's office (par. 884) number _. 1

Division medical supply office. do 1

Field desk No. 1 complete do. 1

Typewriter do 1

Blank forms and stationary as required.
Combat equipments (par. 866) less pack saddles litters with slings, and ambulance

boxes of surgical dressings number..

Litters with slings do

Surgical dressings, ambulance boxes of (par. 954) do

Venereal prophylaxis units (par. 958) do

Ambulance company:

Motorized (par. 874 modified) do.--.

Animal-drawn (par. 874) do

Field hospital company:

Motorized (par. 879 modified) do

Animal-drawn (par. 879) do

Camp infirmaries (par. 869) do

Camp infirmary reserve (par. 871) do

Chest medical and surgical (par. 932) do

Chest medical and surgical, supplementary (par. 933) do

Box, pack mule, empty 85 do

Box surgical dressings (par. 955).. do

This equipment was distributed in the division as follows: 1 camp infirm-
ary and camp infirmary reserve to the headquarters of each regiment; 1 combat
equipment, less litters, and ambulance boxes of surgical dressings to each bat-
talion of the regiment and to each separate organization except the sanitary
train and trench mortar battery; 1 venereal prophylaxis unit to each organiza-
tion; 1 ambulance company equipment to each ambulance company; 1 field
hospital equipment to each field hospital company.

Litters and ambulance boxes of surgical dressings were distributed as
follows :

29
527
203

30

3
1

3

1
8
8
1
1
1
1

Litters

Surgical dressings

Infantry regiment (Table 4)..- .

21 for each combat equipment.

8 for each combat equipment.

6 for headquarters company.

3 for headquarters company.

3 for supply company.

1 for supply company.

4 for machine-gun company.

2 for machine-gun company.

Total, 76.

Total, 30.

Field Artillery regiment, 3-inch, horse (Table 13). _

12 for each combat equipment.

4 for each combat equipment.

4 for headquarters company.

2 for headquarters company.

2 for supply company.

1 for supply company.

Total, 30.

Total, 11.

Field Artillery regiment, 6-inch howitzers (Table 17) _

Same as Field Artillery regiment,

3 for each combat equipment

3-inch, horse.

2 for headquarters company.
1 for supply company.
Total, 12.

Regiment of Engineers (Table 29)

16 for each combat equipment.

6 for each combat equipment.

2 for headquarters company.

1 for headquarters company.

Total, 34.

Total, 13.

Machine-gun battalion, 4 companies (Table 10)

16 for each combat equipment.

R for each combat equipment

Machine-gun battalion, 2 companies (Table 9).. .,

8 for combat equipment.

3 for combat equipment.

Trench mortar battery (Table 21)

3.

Field signal battalion (Table 231

10 for combat equipment.
7 for combat equipment.

4 for combat equipment.

Train headquarters, military police (Table 24) . . . .

3 for combat equipment.

Ammunition train (Table 25)

13 for each combat equipment.

5 for each combat equipment.

Total, 26.

Total, 10.

Supply train (Table 26) __.

9 for combat equipment.

4 for combat equipment.

Division headquarters, the equipment consists of the following: 1 medical and surgical
chest; 1 medical and surgical chest supplementary; 4 litters with slings; 1 venereal prophy-
lactic unit; 1 pack mule box No. 1, empty; 1 box surgical dressings (par. 955, M. M. D.)
(contents only).

458 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

In addition to the above, there was provided by the Medical Department
for each motorized ambulance company 12 motor ambulances, 1 spare-parts
trailer, and 2 motor cycles with side cars, and for each motorized field hospital
company, 3 motor cycles with side cars. The remainder of the transportation
and equipment was obtained from the Quartermaster Corps.

Every organization of a division leaving the training camp for duty over-
seas was' expected to have with it as personal baggage its complete combat
equipment for use on the voyage. The camp infirmaries, camp infirmary
reserves, and the equipment of ambulance companies and field hospitals were
expected to be loaded with other organizational property. 85 All medical units
with the division thereafter looked to the medical supply officer of the division
for the replenishment of their supplies and equipment. That officer secured
his supplies as previously described.

It was contemplated in regulations and such instructions as were issued
from the Surgeon General's Office from time to time, that the requests of
surgeons of divisional units for supplies would be scrutinized by the division
or camp surgeon before the issue by the divisional or camp medical supply
officer of the articles and quantities contained in such requests. No specific
directions so to do were issued to division or camp surgeons. The method of
issuing and conserving supplies was left to the judgment of the division surgeon,
acting in conformity with the general principles enunciated in the Manual for
the Medical Department. The practice in this matter was not altogether
uniform in the different camps. As the duties of the division surgeon multiplied,
matters pertaining to requisitions and the issue of supplies within the division
came more and more to be delegated to the divisional medical supply officer.
The chief object was the prompt and effectual supply of the units with a
sufficient quantity of all articles authorized for issue to them.

REFERENCES

(1) Memorandum from Chief of War College Division, General Staff, to Chief of Staff,

May 4, 1917. Subject: Designation of camp sites for training new troops. On file,
Record Room, A. G. O., Correspondence Files 2,593,945 (Old Files).

(2) Annual Report of the Chief of the Reconstruction Division, W. D., 1918.

(3) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1916, par. 596.

(4) Ibid., par. 594.

(5) Ibid., par. 597.

(6) Letter from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, Philadelphia. Pa.,

Chicago, 111., Atlanta, Ga., and St. Louis, Mo., August 7,1917. Subject: Issue of

531
field hospitals. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -y=-

(7) Telegram from the Surgeon General to the Division Surgeon, Camp Logan, Tex.,

August 28, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 534 ~ 12 7.

(8) Letters from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to officer in charge, Medical Supply

Depot, Atlanta, Ga., Chicago, 111., Philadelphia, Pa., St. Louis, Mo., San Antonio,
Tex., and San Francisco, Calif., August 13,1917. Subject: Initial equipments to

National Army camps. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 531 ~ Mls( L-.

(9) G. O. No. 137, W. D., October 30, 1917.

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 459

(10) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army (with two inclosures dated December 14,

1917), to the division surgeon, all camps, December 20, 1917. Subject: Equipment.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ~ '•

to

(11) First indorsement from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the division surgeon, 35th

Division, Camp Doniphan, Fort Sill, Okla., October 9, 1917. Subject: Supplies.

534—123
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ,,-

(12) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to division surgeons, November 13, 1917.

Subject: Equipment required by sanitary personnel. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., ,., •

(13) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the officer in charge, Field Medical

Supply Depot, Washington, D. C., March 21, 1918. Subject: Priority for shipment

of web belts. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — „.„ "

(14) Letter from the camp surgeon, Camp Shelby, Miss., to the Surgeon General, U. S.

Army, October 5,1917. Subject: Supplies for regimental infirmaries, and various

534—128
indorsements thereon. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — j- g •

(15) Letter from Maj. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, to Lieut. Col. Henry D. Snyder, M. C,

New York Medical Supply Depot, May 17, 1917. Subject: Mess tables for base
hospitals. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14,039-54.

(16) Letter from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, New York, N. Y.,

July 3, 1917. Subject: Beds. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
14,039-200.

(17) Letter from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, Chicago, 111., May 29,

1917. Subject: Medical Supply Depot, Chicago 111. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 14,823-A.

(18) Letter from the Surgeon General to the department surgeon, Central Department,

Chicago, 111., June 8, 1917. Subject: Medical supplies. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 13,937-0.

(19) Letter from Lieut. Col. E. P. Wolfe, M. C, to Maj. M. A. Reasoner, M. C, Chicago,

111., August 11, 1917. Subject: Issue of initial equipment to camps. On file,

713—130
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., —g — •

(20) Memorandum from chief clerk, Medical Supply Depot, St. Louis, Mo., to chief clerk,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., August 15, 1917. Subject: Field Units on

713—707
hand. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — 29

(21) Letter from the medical supply officer, New York, to the Surgeon General, August 7,

1917. Subject: Camps to be supplied with Wolfe base hospital units. On file,

713—539
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — Ho

(22) Annual Report of the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, 1918, 320.

(23) Telegrams from camp medical supply officers, to the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, Sep-

tember 5, 6, 7, 1917, reporting degree of completeness of equipment. On file, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. O., under respective camp file numbers, for example, Camp

_. 531-123 „ ... 531-127

Dix, — -= ; Camp Meade, — .„

(24) Letter from the Surgeon General to the surgeon, base hospital, all National Army

cantonments, August 10, 1917. Subject: Authorization of labor. On file, Finance

531
and Supply Division, S. G. O., -=— •

(25) Tables of Organization, United States Army, May 3, 1917, Table 36, Trains— Infantry

Division — Sanitary.

460 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(26) Tables of Organization. United States Army, Series A, April 17, 1918, Table 28,

Sanitary Trains.

(27) Telegram from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the officer in charge, Motor Ambu-

lance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., August 16, 1917. Subject: Motor ambulances

713-446
and spare parts. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^ —

(28) Report of G. M. C. ambulances shipped from Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louis-

ville, Ky., from August 24, 1917, to October 6, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply

_,. , . „ „ _. 713-440

Division, S. G. O., — one •

(29) Letter from the Director, Bureau of Medical Service, American Red Cross, Washington,

D. C., to the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, April 26, 1917. Subject: Red Cross
ambulance companies. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 171,059.

(30) Telegram from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the commanding officers of various

Red Cross ambulance companies. Subject: Enlistment Red Cross ambulance
companies, July 31, 1917. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 171,059-D.

(31) Letter from Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., to Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C,

Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., September 14, 1917. Subject:

Motor ambulances and motor ambulance depot. On file, Finance and Supply

„. . . „ _, _ 713-440
Division, S. G. O., -,

(32) Compilation of shipments of motor ambulances from Motor Ambulance Supply Depot,

Louisville, Ky., August 28, 1917, to December 31, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply

r,- ■■ a n ^ 713-440
Division, S. G. O., j=g -

(33) Letter from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louis-

ville, Ky., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., October 9, 1917. Subject: Spare

parts equipment. On file, Finance and Supply Division, — ^

(34) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the officer in charge, Motor Ambulance

Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., November 11, 1917. Subject: Motor ambulances.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 71 '^ 440 -

LAO

(35) First indorsement from the Surgeon General, to the commanding officer, Ambulance

Company No. 33, U. S. Army Mobilization Camp, Syracuse, N. Y., October 18, 1917.
Subject: Ambulance equipment. On file, Finance and Supplv Division S. G. O.,
22-33
3

(36) Pamphlet, Surgeon General's Office, issued December 1, 1917. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., ^f^p 9 -

(37) Letters from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C. Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louis-

ville, Ky., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., May 27, 30, 1918. Subject:

Spare parts trailers. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^f^t •

(38) Information and Instruction Covering Equipment, Spare Parts, Repairs, and Mainte-

nance for IT. S. Standard Motor Ambulances and U. S. Standard Motor Cycles in
the Service of the Medical Department, U. S. Army, Office of the Surgeon General,
Washington, D. C, May 1, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-440
400

(39) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the medical supply officer (all camps

and cantonments), July 18, 1918. Subject: Monthly requisition for completing spare
parts B equipments in ambulance spare parts trailers. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., 71 ^°.
4 (JO

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 461

(40) Maintenance Letters, Nos. 1 to 19, inclusive, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louis-

ville, Ky. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Louisville maintenance
letters file, unnumbered.

(41) Instructions, " Motor Ambulance Operation, Medical Department, U. S. Army." On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ~,nn "

(42) Supply letter No. 22, S. G. O., September 30, 1917. Subject: Motorvehicles — Gasoline

531— Misc
lubricants, etc. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., „ Q ' -•

(43) Changes No. 7, 1916 Supplement to the Compilation of Orders, 1881-1915, Washington,

Marcli 14, 1918.

(44) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the officer in charge, Field Medical

Supply Depot, Washington, D. C, July 31, 1917. Subject: Motor cycles. On
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14, 101-105.

(45) Letters from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the officers in charge, Medical

Supply Depots, Atlanta, Ga., Philadelphia, Pa., Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Tex.,
and San Francisco, Calif., July 31, 1917. Subject: Motor cycles. On file, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. O., 15, 101-105.
(40) Letters from officers in charge, Medical Supply Depots, Atlanta, Ga., Philadelphia, Pa.,
San Antonio, Tex., and San Francisco, Calif., to the Surgeon General, U. S. Army,
during September, 1917. Subject: Motor cycles. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 14,101-105.

(47) Weekly reports, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, beginning August, 1917.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — 5ns ~ '

(48) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the officer in charge, Motor Ambulance

Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., October 18, 1917. Subject: Issue of motor cycles.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 531-Misc.

(49) Letters from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the division surgeon, all camps,

October 18, 1917. Subject: Motor cycles. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

„ _. _ 531-Misc.
S.G.O., gg -

(50) Based on reports from camp surgeons. On file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(51) Letters from the Surgeon General to department surgeons in the United States, June

8, to August 5, 1917. Subject: Distribution of medical supplies. On file, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. O., 13, 937-0.

(52) Letter from the Surgeon General to medical supply officer. Philadelphia, Pa., September

18,J917. Subject: Portable dental outfits. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

t , „ „ 531-123 Devens
S.G.O., -^-- —

(53) Telegram from the Surgeon General to division surgeon, Camp Dodge, Iowa, September

15, 1917, authorizing the purchase of five sets of supplies for portable dental outfits,

CO 1 1 OO

less chairs. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ^o —

(54) Second indorsement from the Surgeon General to the surgeon, Southern Department,

September 27, 1917, relative to dental supplies for that department. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ss

(55) First indorsement from hospital division, S. G. O., to finance and supply division,

S.G. O. Subject: Dental infirmaries. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 632 (Dental
Infirmaries).

(56) Seventh indorsement from the Surgeon General to the division surgeon, Camp Taylor,

Ky., October 30, 1917. Subject: Dental supplies. On file, Finance and Supply

„" . . „ „ „ 531-129 Tavlor
Division. S. O. O.,— — jq

462 FINANCE AND SUPrLY

(57) Letter from the Surgeon General to the division surgeon, all National Army camps,

December 12, 1917. Subject: Dental outfits. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

- „ .. 531-Misc.
S. G. O., - 76 —

(58) Telegrams from camp surgeons to the Surgeon General, June 12, 1918, to July 24, 1918,

relative to installing dental equipment. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

Q „ „ 531-Misc.
S. G. O., lTg

(59) Correspondence between the Surgeon General and the various division surgeons during

May, 1918. Subject: Dental equipment. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

„ „ „ 531-Misc.
S. G. 0., U4 — .

(60) Letter from The Adjutant General to the Surgeon General, March 26, 1918. Subject:

Dental personnel attached to division. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O..
531 -Misc .
108

(61) Correspondence between the Surgeon General and camp surgeons during July to

September 1918. inclusive. Subject: Dental supplies. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. ().. ^3^.

(62) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, medical supply depot, St.

Louis, Mo., August 17, 1917. Subject: Issue of veterinary supplies. On file.

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., II 3 ' 70 ! .

'26

(63) Letter from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, San Antonio, Tex.,

August 17, 1917. Subject: Issue of veterinary supplies. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., 713 ~ 641 .

6

(64) Letter from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, San Francisco, Calif.,

August 17, 1917. Subject: Issue of veterinary supplies. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., 53 i.
' 10

(65) Letter from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, St. Louis, Mo., Sep-

tember 17, 1917. Subject: Veterinarv supplies. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., 713 - 707 .
94

(66) Letter from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, St. Louis, Mo., Septem-

ber 17, 1917. Subject: Issue of veterinary supplies to San Francisco. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 713 ~ 707 .

'94

(67) Letter from the Surgeon General to all division surgeons, medical supply officers, San

Francisco, Calif., San Antonio, Tex., St. Louis Mo., Philadelphia, Pa., and Atlanta,
Ga., December 20, 1917. Subject: Paragraph 968, Manual for the Medical Depart-
ment, 1916. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 5 H-J^ 1SC -.

(68) Fourth indorsement of the Surgeon General to the Quartermaster General, September

27, 1917. Subject: Mallein. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
531-Misc.
14

(69) Correspondence between the Surgeon General and the department surgeon, Southern

Department, September and October, 1917. Subject: Mallein. On file, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. O., ] S 8 " 6 ^ ^ A: .

(70) Letter from the Chief, Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Agriculture, to Col.

C. F. Morse, M. C, Director of Veterinary Service, Office of the Surgeon General,
September 21, 191S. Subject: Personnel for the production of mallein. On file
Record Room, S. G. O., 220.3 (Assign Bureau of Animal Industry, Washington

D. C.) F.

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 463

(71) Third indorsement of the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, St. Louis, Mo.,

October 31, 1917, relative to veterinary saddlebags. On file, Finance and Supply

»v • ■ a n r> 713-707

Division, S. G. O., -_=

75

(72) Third indorsement of the Surgeon General to the Division Surgeon, Camp Lee, Va.,

January 25, 1918, relative to shortage of equipment at the auxiliary remount depot

at that camp. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G O., VIsT

(73) Paragraph 477-481, Manual for the Medical Department, 1916.

(74) Paragraph 482-488, Manual for the Medical Department, 1916.

(75) Letters from the Surgeon General to department surgeons, Eastern Department.

Central Department, Northeastern Department, Southeastern Department, and
Western Department, April 3, 1917. Subject: Requisitions. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 13,969-S.

(76) Letter from the Surgeon General to all department surgeons in the United States, May

25, 1917. Subject: Divisional hospital and dental supplies. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 13,969-Z.

(77) Letter from the Surgeon General to all division surgeons, November 16, 1917. Subject :

Requisitions and purchases of supplies. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(78) Report from medical supply officer, Camp Upton, N. Y., to the Surgeon General,

August 3, 1918. Subject: Monthly report of working of medical supply depot.

-. „. _,. , „ , „. . . „ „ „ 531-129 Upton
On file, r mance and Supply Division, S. G. O., T9fT

(79) Letter from The Adjutant General to all department and camp commanders, ports of

embarkation, bureau chiefs, and excepted places, September 27, 1918. Subject: med-
ical supplies as baggage with troops embarking for service overseas. On file, Finance

, c , i t-.- • • a n r. 531-Misc.
and supply Division, S. U. O., t™

(80) Memorandum from Colonel Wolfe to personnel division, Surgeon General's Office, De-

cember 19, 1917. Subject: Organization equipment. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., 534-127 Logan
39

(81) Personal letter from Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, to Col. Levy M. Hathaway,

M. C, Camp Logan, Tex., November 16, 1917. Subject: Camp infirmaries. On

, ^. . , n „ 534-127 Logan
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. Lr. O., ng

(82) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1916, paragraph 634 (g).

(83) Ibid., paragraphs 658-659.

(84) Ibid., paragraph 633 (f).

(85) First indorsement from the Surgeon General to the division Surgeon, Camp Devens,

Mass., June 8, 1918. Subject: Medical supplies. On file, Finance and Supply

„. . . „ „ _ 531-123 Devens
Division, 8. O. O., — — obi

CHAPTER XXXI

SPECIAL SUPPLIES

LABORATORY SUPPLIES

Prior to the World War the Medical Department maintained laboratories
at the Army Medical School, Washington, D. C; Fort Leavenworth, Kans.;
Fort Sam Houston, Tex.; Letterman General Hospital, San Francisco, Calif.;
Honolulu, Hawaii Territory; and at Manila, P. I. 1 Of these, the laboratory at
the Army Medical School was the largest and most elaborately equipped. That
at Fort Sam Houston was next in importance because of the amount of work
done and the number of troops it served. 1 The amount of this kind of work
done and the number of officers specializing in laboratory procedures had
increased from year to year. At the largest military posts, also, laboratory
work was done to some extent as the time, abilities, and inclinations of the
local medical officers demanded.

To meet the requirements of the laboratory service, a list of laboratory
supplies and equipment, with allowances for posts of various sizes, had been
added to the standard supply table, 84 items being listed under this head. 2
The articles in this list served their purpose very well for the laboratories at
the larger military posts, but were supplemented at the department laboratories
by more extensive and elaborate equipment obtained on special requisition.

A consideration of the number of troops assigned to the various training
camps at the beginning of the World War indicated that the amount of bacterio-
logical and serological work to be done at each such camp would be equal to
that performed at the larger department laboratories. It was evident that the
list of articles in the standard supply table needed revision, augmentation, and
standardization. This revision was completed in the early part of June, 1917. :!
Instructions were given the officer in charge, medical supply depot, New York,
during the same month to purchase and issue to each of the 32 division training
camps a complete set of equipment in accordance with that list. 3

The revised list not proving entirely adequate, a number of other items
were added and instructions were given, September 22, 1917, for their issue to
all camps. 4 As the requirements of the laboratory service grew, even this
equipment proved insufficient, and additional equipment was authorized.

The initial laboratory equipment and its additions were supplied to all
camps without requisition. Replenishment and new articles were obtained
thereafter on requisition. Delays in the delivery of this equipment were
numerous. Issues were made as fast as the supplies could be had from the
manufacturers.

30663—28 30 465

466 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

BIOLOGICALS

The initial equipment of medical supplies for National Army and National
Guard camps made no provision for smallpox vaccine and other biologicals, or
for typhoid-paratyphoid vaccine. It was intended originally to have the
distribution of smallpox vaccine made from the distributing medical supply
depots upon instructions issued by department surgeons. General Orders,
No. 96, War Department, July 20, 1917, however, divested department surgeons
as well as other chiefs of services at department headquarters of all authority
over the supply of the camps, and made necessary a change in the policy.

SMALLPOX VACCINE

The plan adopted in the Surgeon General's Office for providing the
initial supply of vaccines at the National Army camps differed in some
respects from that employed at National Guard camps. Because of the
probability that none of the men directed to report at the National Army
camps for induction into the military service had previously been immunized
against the typhoid group of diseases, and that very few of them had been
vaccinated against smallpox within recent years, all would require immuniza-
tion against both groups. The number of men to be assembled at each
National Army camp had been determined by the War Department and the
strength of the different camps furnished the several supply bureaus. From
these numbers the quantities of vaccine required at each camp readily were
determined.

Because of the vast quantity of smallpox vaccine required to protect the
number of men being called to the colors, it became advisable to allot to each
of the several biological manufacturers producing smallpox vaccine quantities
commensurate with their abilities to produce. The United States was dis-
tricted and a certain number of camps, posts, and stations were assigned to
each producer to supply. Instructions were issued by the Surgeon General on
August 19, 1917, in the following form, to the different producers of smallpox
vaccine. 5

The following National Army camps have been allotted to your firm for the purpose
of furnishing smallpox vaccine, as listed below:

Name of camp

Quantity

Camp Jackson.
Camp Custer__
Camp Dodge.--

Columbia, S. C

Hattle Creek, Mich.
Des Moines, Iowa_.

'40.800

■ 30, 100

■ 22, 3.i0

° One-half of the vaccine should reach the camp on Sept. 1, and the balance on Sept. 15, 1917.

The vaccine should be fresh; should be furnished in capillary tubes and shipped in ice.
It should be plainly labeled "Smallpox vaccine — keep in cold storage."

The shipments should be plainly addressed to the "Medical Supply Officer, United
States Army, National Army Camp," giving address as indicated above. Promptly inform
the medical supply officer at the camp the date and method of shipment in order that he
may be on the lookout for it. A carbon copy of your letter should also be furnished to this
office for its information.

This office should be promptly informed whether you are in a position to furnish
smallpox vaccine in the quantities indicated on the dates mentioned. It is imperative that

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 467

the vaccine shall be on hand at the camps, in good condition, on these dates, and in case
no reply is received from you within a reasonable time, the allotments above referred to
will be made to some other firm.

The stipulation in these instructions that the vaccine he shipped in ice was
inserted because of the essentially perishable nature of the product. Exposure
to room temperature for even a few days during August would be sufficient to
render the product inert. It was necessary, too, that it be kept in cold storage
while in the camp pending its use. In order that suitable facilities might be
available at the camp upon the arrival of the vaccine and that it would be
properly preserved, instructions were issued, August 20, to all camps. The
following instructions to the medical supply officer, Camp Lewis, Wash., with suit-
able changes in name of firm, quantity of vaccine, and name of consignee, are
identical with those sent to all National Army camps. 6

1. The Cutter Laboratories have been instructed to send you by express, packed in ice,
46,800 capillary tubes of smallpox vaccine. One-half of this quantity will be sent in time to
reach you September 1 and the balance September 15. The packages will be maked " Medical
Supply Officer, United States National Army, Camp Lewis, American Lake, Wash." The
firm has been instructed to write you on the day the shipment is made, in order that you
may be on the lookout for it.

2. It is imperative that this vaccine should be kept in cold storage until used, and in
case the facilities are not already on hand you are authorized to purchase the necessary ice
box and ice. It is presumed, however, that arrangements can be made to keep this vaccine
in a quartermaster ice box.

A large percentage of the National Guard troops had been in the Federal
service during the previous year and already had been vaccinated. It could
not, for this reason, be determined in the Surgeon General's Office just how
much smallpox vaccine would be required at the National Guard camps. A
different procedure became necessary for those camps. Each individual camp
was allotted to a definite manufacturer, who was to supply it with vaccine upon
receipt of telegraphic imformation from the camp medical supply officer, of the
quantity and date required. Instructions covering the ordering of smallpox
vaccine with the name of the producer designated to supply it were issued to
the medical supply officers at all National Guard camps by the Surgeon General
August 20. The following instructions to the medical supply officer, Camp
McClellan, Anniston, Ala., with suitable change in the name of the firm
designated to supply the camp, are typical of those sent to all National Guard
camps. 7

1. The Lederle Laboratories, 170 Williams Street, New York City, have been desig-
nated to furnish you with the quantity of smallpox vaccine necessary to vaccinate the
unprotected troops in your camp.

2. You should telegraph to the above-mentioned company at the earliest possible
moment the total number of capillary tubes of smallpox vaccine winch will be required for
this purpose, in order that the biological firm may make appropriate arrangements to ship
the vaccine in ample time to reach your camp when needed. In case you desire to have
the vaccine shipped in two lots you should so inform the company, stating the dates upon
which it should arrive at the camp. The company has been instructed to ship the vaccine
packed in ice, and to have it plainly labeled "Smallpox vaccine — keep in cold storage.' - It
will be addressed to the " medical supply officer " at the camp, and the Lederle Laboratories
have been instructed to write you on the date of shipment, in order that you may be on the
lookout for it.

468 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

3. It is imperative that this vaccine should be kept in cold storage until used, and in
case the facilities are not already on hand, you are authorized to purchase the necessary
ice box and ice. It is presumed, however, that arrangements can be made to keep this
vaccine in a quartermaster ice box.

4. The biological firm has been instructed to render bills to your office, and you should
forward vouchers to this office in the usual manner.

Reports received from the various medical supply officers during September
and October, 19 1 7, at all National Army and National Guard camps indicated
that satisfactory vaccine had been received in good condition. Shipments were
made in ice in accordance with instructions and arrived at camp within 24
hours of the date specified in the instructions. 8

TYPHOID-PARATYPHOID VACCINK

All the typhoid and paratyphoid vaccine issued to the Army during the
World War was prepared and placed in ampoules in the laboratory of the Army
Medical School, Washington, D. C. In July, 1917, instructions for the
distribution of this vaccine were issued, after decision had been reached by the
War Department concerning the locations of the various camps and the number
of men to be assigned to each. 9 It was assumed that none of the men to be
sent to the National Army camps had previously been immunized against either
typhoid or paratyphoid fever. Accordingly, the combined typhoid and para-
typhoid vaccine was sent to these camps. This vaccine was commonly known
as triple typhoid because it contained three types of bacilli of the typhoid group,
typhoid, paratyphoid A, and paratyphoid B. The instructions covering the
issue of this vaccine contemplated that a sufficient quantity of triple typhoid
would be sent to each National Army camp to immunize the number of men to
be inducted at the particular camp. This vaccine was expected to arrive at the
camp before September 1, 1917. At the same time, instructions were issued by
the Surgeon General to place a stock of this vaccine in certain medical supply
depots, 30 liters at Philadelphia and 50 liters at Atlanta.

In keeping with this polic3 T of having smallpox and typhoid-paratyphoid
vaccine on hand at these camps in usable condition upon the arrival of the
troops, instructions were sent by the Surgeon General to the several supply
depots on August 2, 1917, to issue a large standard refrigerator to each camp. 10
Shipment was to be made in sufficient time for the refrigerators to arrive at the
camps not later than August 25. On the same date the surgeon at the camp
was informed of the contemplated shipment of vaccines and refrigerator and
was authorized to purchase the necessary ice for the preservation of vaccines
and sera."

It was known that many of the men assigned to the National Guard
camps had received preventive inoculation against typhoid fever while in
camp during the mobilization on the Mexican border the previous year. Some
of them, too, had received paratyphoid immunization during that period. It
could not be determined, therefore, how many men to be sent to any National
Guard camp had been immunized against one or both diseases. Consequently
the commandant, Army Medical School, was instructed, July 30, to issue to
the medical supply officer at all National Guard camps, 10 liters of paratyphoid
vaccine and 10 liters of the combined typhoid-paratyphoid vaccine. 12 The

CAMP MEDICAL SITPPLY SEISVICE 469

same provision for the preservation of these vaccines and sera was made at
the National Guard camps as at the National Army cantonments. It was
contemplated that vouchers for the ice procured for the preservation of
biologicals would he prepared by the camp medical supply officer and for-
warded to the Surgeon General's Office for payment. 13

Replacements of the typhoid-paratyphoid vaccine were to be obtained
upon requisitions sent to the department surgeons, who were to instruct the
medical personnel under their respective jurisdictions accordingly. Department
surgeons could depute authority, if they chose, to the division surgeons at the
camps to call directly upon the distributing depot designated to supply their

respective camps. 14

OTHKR BIOLOGICALS

It early became evident that biological products other than smallpox
vaccine and typhoid-paratyphoid vaccine would be required at the camps.
Measures were undertaken early in September to arrange for the supply of
diphtheria antitoxin, tetanus antitoxin, antimeningitis serum, antipneumococcus
serum and antistreptococcic serum, all for human use. 15 Provision was made
also for tetanus antitoxin and antistreptococcus serum for veterinary use.

The country was districted and the various camps distributed among the
biological producers to supply in accordance with the products prepared by
them. ls Some producers could supply only smallpox vaccine, diphtheria
antitoxin, and tetanus antitoxin. Other producers could furnish other products
also. One or two producers could supply the entire list. Arrangements were
made during September, 1917, with the producers to establish a depot or deposit
of the products assigned them near the camps which they had been selected
to supply. A minimum stock for each article to be kept in these local depots
was prescribed. The camp medical supply officers were notified of the arrange-
ment and instructed to call upon the designated producers from time to time
for such biological products as were needed at the cam]). The producers were
required to have properly preserved the biological products at these subdepots
and to keep the respective medical supply officers informed of their location.
It was further required that bills for supplies furnished should be rendered
monthly to the camp supply officer.

The various camp medical supply officers were instructed, October 5, 1917,
to maintain in their respective depots a small stock of the biological products
mentioned above for emergency use. 16 This was done in order that a small
quantity might be available for immediate use while awaiting the arrival of
supplies ordered as the emergencies arose. Twenty vials of antimeningitis
serum were ordered to each camp for emergency use. Medical supply officers
at the camps were instructed not to let this quantity fall below five vials and
to forward to the Surgeon General's Office a telegraphic request for an additional
supply immediately upon the appearance of meningitis in the camp, stating
the probable number of suspects.

SPECTACLES

Of the various procedures adopted by surgeons and specialists to remedy
physical defects traceable to the ocular apparatus, this volume is concerned in
those only which required the purchase of special equipment or supplies for

470 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

their correction. Defective vision was the most important of these from a

supply standpoint. The War Department directed the Medical Department,

April 15, 1918, to furnish spectacles without charge to enlisted men who

required them. 17 Arrangements were made with various optical supply houses

to furnish spectacles upon proper orders or requests from the medical supply

officers. The country was districted and certain areas, with all the troops

therein, were assigned to particular optical companies for supply. These

companies had all agreed to furnish spectacles, frames, and cases at a definite

fixed price according to the lenses required. The manner in which the enlisted

man would obtain his spectacles was published to all concerned in the following

letter:

War Department,

Office of the Surgeon General,

Washington, July 11, 1918.
From: The Surgeon General.

Subject: Spectacles.

1. Paragraph VII, G. O. 35, W. D., C. 8., provides as follows:

" During the present emergency lenses for the correction of visual defects, and suitable
frames therefor, will, when prescribed by medical officers (or by civilian physicians employed
under proper authority), be issued without charge by the Medical Department to all enlisted
men who have been definitely accepted for the military service. They will not be issued to
recruits who for any reason are about to be discharged from the service."

"The soldier's receipt for the lenses and frames will be taken by the issuing officer in
each instance, and will be the medical officer's voucher for dropping them from his return
of medical property."

"Should the lenses or frames be subsequently damaged, lost, or destroyed, while in the
soldier's possession and without fault on his part, they will be repaired or replaced without
charge by the Medical Department. Should they be damaged, lost, or destroyed through
fault on the part of the soldier, they will be repaired or replaced by the Medical Department
and the cost, repair, or replacement will be collected by stoppage against the soldier's pay."

2. Spectacles conforming to the following specifications will be purchased thereunder
and issued to enlisted men at public expense:

(a) Lenses: Flat, white, round, 40 mm. in diameter.

(6) Frames: White metal, best stiff construction, 40 mm. round eye, special 0.055 inch
full length, cable temple 6^-inch, split joint end piece 0.072 inch eye wire, known to the
trade as No. 546S, American Optical Co.

(c) Case: All metal, unlined, Japanned, of suitable size to hold spectacle frames with
40 mm. round eye.

Prescriptions will not call for fractions smaller than one-fourth diopter.

3. While no other type of spectacles is authorized for issue at public expense, the soldier
may if he prefers, be permitted to purchase at his own expense such other type of frame as
he may desire. They may be purchased through the post exchange at cost plus 10 per
cent. The requirement as to size of eye must be observed, because this is the only size lens
being supplied overseas.

4. Prescriptions will be forwarded by the medical supply officer of the camp where their
is such an officer, or by the commanding officer of (lie hospital, or surgeon of the post, camp,
or station where the soldiers are being treated, to the optical company designated for its
territory, daily or at such regular periods as may be to best interest to the service. Vouchers
for spectacles furnished should be prepared monthly on War Department Form 330 or 330-a
and sent through proper channels for payment. If itemized bills be rendered by the vendors
on their own billheads, certified "correct and just, payment not received," and signed by
proper representatives of the vendors, the same may be attached to the official vouchers.
In which event the vendor's certificate on the voucher need not be signed. The purchasing
officers should certify in general terms on the vouchers for the lump sums of the bills

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 471

attached thereto. Otherwise the bills must be itemized on the official forms and be certified
thereon by both the vendors and the purchasing officers. The vouchers should be accom-
panied in each case by one copy of purchase invoice, Form 12.

5. A list of prices to be paid for the spectacles will be published by this office from
time to time. The prices are gross, subject to discount of 6 per cent for payment within
the month following the rendition of bill for spectacles furnished.

The vouchers should be certified at the list prices, summing up the total thereat, and
deducting from such total the 6 per cent discount, thus producing the net total due; and to
justify taking the discount must be forwarded within three days after the end of the month
in which the spectacles were received.

6. The optical company designated to supply the spectacles will forward them by mail.
Immediately upon their arrival in each case they should be examined to determine whether
the prescription has been correctly filled; and if found correct, delivered to the soldier for
whom they were prescribed, taking his formal receipt for the same, which will be filed with
the issuing officer's property papers. The issues will be dropped monthly on an expenditure
voucher, per form attached, to be supplied as form 18-a as soon as practicable, one copy of
which will be forwarded with purchase vouchers to the Surgeon General, a duplicate being
retained by the accountable officer. The receipts taken from the soldiers will be attached to
the retained copy of form 18-a so that they may be checked by the inspectors from time
to time.

7. Officers, nurses, and civilian employees are not furnished with spectacles at public
expense, but may purchase them through the post exchange.

Price lists were furnished all camps and stations. These prices changed
from time to time and new price lists were furnished for those which they
superseded. 18 The particular optical company was furnished a list of the camps
and stations from which it might expect orders for spectacles. 18 The several
optical companies were informed of the type of spectacles to be furnished and
the manner in which they would be ordered and paid for, as follows:

Your company has been selected to supnly spectacles to all troops and military stations
in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and the western half of Montana.

The spectacles to be supplied must be in accordance with the following specifications:

(a) Lenses: Flat, white, round, 40 mm. in diameter.

(ft) Frames: White metal, best stiff construction, 40 mm. round eye, special 0.055 inch
full length, cable temple 6J^ inches, split joint end piece 0.072 inch eye wire, known to the
trade as No. 5468 American Optical Co.

(c) Case: All metal, unlined, japanned, of suitable size to hold spectacle frames with
40 mm. round eye.

Prescriptions will not call for fractions smaller than one-fourth diopter.

The prices to be paid on single frames for prescription, 40 cents each; lenses and cases at
regular wholesale rates, not to exceed those quoted on pages 4(5 and 47 of F. A. Hardy & Co.
1917 catalogue, copy herewith. These prices to be subject to 6 per cent discount if paid
during the month following purchase. Any changes in regular wholesale price should be
promptly communicated to this office for publication to the military service.

The prescriptions will be forwarded to you by the supply officer at the various camps
and cantonments and by the surgeon at posts and other stations within the district to be
supplied by you. The finished spectacles in cases, accompanied by individual invoices, are
to be forwarded direct to the officer sending in the prescription. An itemized statement for
all supplies furnished during the month must be forwarded on the last day thereof to each
officer ordering them. In order to insure prompt payment, these itemized statements
must bear the certificate " Correct and just, payment not received," over the signature of
an officer of your company authorized to accomplish such instruments. Payment will be
made from this office.

In order to insure that the lenses would remain in correct position, or if
they became turned in the frame they could be correctly replaced by the

472 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

person making repairs or by the wearer himself, the optical company supplying
the largest number of spectacles sent out to all medical supply officers the
following form letter and caution notice : 20

In accordance with instructions received from the office of the Surgeon General
in Washington, D. C, all cylindrical and sphero-cylindrical lenses as supplied in " Issue
frame No. 5468," or in any frame in which round lenses are used, will in the future be
marked with a small diamond scratch on the inside or side next the eye when glasses
are being worn, at outer edge at temple joint, as shown in drawing printed on the back of
this sheet, so as to indicate the proper position for lenses in frame on a straight line through
lenses horizontally.

All lenses fitted in frames when received from us should be so exactly fitted as to
preclude the possibility of the lens turning in the frame unless the screw holding the eye
wire and temple is loosened or removed, and it is requested that any spectacles in which
the lenses are not so snugly fitted be returned to us with complaint for our inspection and
correction.

The object of marking lenses as shown and above noted is so that if in any way the
lenses become turned in the frame, either through accident or because of necessity of
loosening screws for repair purposes, they ma}' be correctly replaced either by the person
making repairs or the wearer himself.

In further compliance with instructions from the Office of the Surgeon General, we are
sending to you in padded form slips as per the inclosed " Caution notice," one of which it
is requested be handed to each wearer of " issue " glasses No. 546!S or any round-frame
glasses containing cylindrical or sphero-cylindrical lenses marked as shown and above
described, with explanation as to the necessity for the lenses being in the proper position
so as to properly correct the vision.

Additional pads will be sent to you upon request, or we will honor your requisition for
any number that you desire to have on hand to answer your individual requirements.

The wording and form of this communication and " Caution notice " has been approved
by the Office of the Surgeon General and both are sent to you by instructions received
therefrom.

CAUTION NOTICE

To properly correct your vision, lenses containing cylinders for the correction of
astigmatism must be held in exact position in frame.

Lenses should be so snugly fitted that they can not turn in frame unless screw holding
eye wire is loosened, and it should not be loosened except for necessary repair purposes.

So that lenses may be properly replaced, if either by accident or for repair purposes
they may be turned or removed, each lens containing cylinder is scratched on the inside or
side next the eye when glasses are being worn, as shown in drawing on reverse side hereon,
and must be replaced so that the scratch is in identically the position as there shown, on a
straight line through the center of lenses horizontally.

Department surgeons of all departments in the United States were
furnished copies of letters of instruction on the subject July 13, 1918, for
distribution by them to all stations in their respective departments. 21 They
were instructed to notify the various stations within their departments of the
optical houses to which they should send their orders for spectacles.

REFERENCES

(1) Annual Report of the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, 1916, 181-193.

(2) Manual for the Medical Department, IT. S. Army, 1916, par. 846.

(3) Letter from the Surgeon General, V. S. Army, to the officer in charge, Medical Supply

Depot, New York, N. Y., June 30, 1917. Subject: Laboratory supplies, and its

inclosurc. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., &U~Misc.

'36

CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE 473

(4) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the officer in charge, Medical Supply

Depot, New York, N. Y., September 22, 1917. Subject: Laboratory supplies. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 531 -Misc.

36

(5) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to Parke, Davis & Co., Baltimore, Md.,

August 19, 1917. Subject: Smallpox vaccine to camps. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., 5|i.

8

(6) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the medical supply officer, Camp

Lewis, American Lake, Wash., August 20, 1917. Subject: Smallpox vaccine. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., —

4

(7) Letter from the Surgeon General, TJ. S. Army, to the medical supply officer, National

Guard Mobilization Camp, Cam]) McClellan, Anniston, Ala., August 20. 1917.
Subject: Smallpox vaccine. On file. Finance and Supply Division, S. G. ().,
534- Misc.
3

(8) Letters from medical supply officers, National Army camps and National Guard camps,

to the Surgeon General, during September and October, 1917. Subject: Smallpox

534 534

vaccine. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -' - and .

(9) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the commandant, Army Medical

School, July 30, 1917. Subject: Typhoid and paratyphoid vaccine for National
Army cantonments. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 15,572-5.
(10) Letters from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to medical supply officers, New York,
N. Y.; St. Louis, Mo.; Chicago, 111.; San Francisco, Calif.; Atlanta, Ga.; and San
Antonio, Tex., August 2, 1917. Subject: Refrigerators. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 15,572-14.

(11) Letters from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to camp surgeons, all National Army

camps, August 2, 1917. Subject: Refrigerators. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 15,572-14.

(12) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the commandant, Army Medical

School, Washington, D. C., July 30,1917. Subject: Paratyphoid vaccine and
combined typhoid and paratyphoid vaccine. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. ()., 15,572-21.

(13) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to medical supply officers, all National

Army camps, August 6, 1917. Subject: Purchase of ice. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 15,572-25.

(14) Letters from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to all department surgeons in the

United States, July 30, 1917. Subject: Smallpox, typhoid, and paratyphoid vaccine.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 15,572-5.

(15) Letters from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the various biological manufacturers,

September 21, 1917. Subject: Biological products. On file, Finance and Supply

_.. . . Q ,. -. 531-Misc.
Division, 8. G. ()., or

(16) Letters from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to medical supply officers, all camps,

November 2, 1917. Subject: Biological products. On file, Finance and Supply

„. . . „ _ _ 531-Misc.
Division, 8. G. O., - ...

(17) G. O. No. 35, \V. D., April 15, 1918.

(18) Circular letter, Surgeon General's Office, September 9, 1918. Subject: Revised price

531— Misc

list of spectacles. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. ()., ,A., ' '•

474 CAMP MEDICAL SUPPLY SERVICE

(19) Letter from the Surgeon General to Southwestern Optical Co. El Paso, Tex., June 25,

1918. Subject: Spectacles. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
531- Misc.
122

(20) Letter from F. A. Hardy & Co., Chicago, 111., to supply officer, Surgeon General's

Office, October 24, 1918. Subject: Making of cylindrical lenses in spectacles. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ioo~ "•

(21) Letters from the Surgeon General, to all department surgeons, July 13, 1917. Subject:

531— Misc
Spectacles. On file, Finance and Supply Division, 8. G. O., ' --„„

SECTION VI
HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

CHAPTER XXXI 1
HOSPITAL FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

For many years the congressional appropriations made for the Medical
Department have been sufficiently expansive to provide for every requisite in
the way of movable furniture required in Army hospitals, from office equipment
to dining-room furniture and kitchen equipment. They have been broad enough
to cover also every kind of technical apparatus used in any way in the treat-
ment of the sick in connection with duties of officers, nurses, and enlisted men
of the Medical Department. In addition to the various articles of furniture
used during the World War, which are considered below, certain articles of equip-
ment not otherwise covered are considered. The list of the initial equipment
appears at the end of the chapter.

BEDSTEADS

For years prior to the World War, the Standard bed of the Medical
Department has been a three-piece hospital bed of rigid construction, compris-
ing head and foot ends and a fabric frame. (A T-frame also was provided at
each end for supporting a mosquito bar.) The National fabric was used for the
most part, and the springs were sufficiently heavy to keep the fabric taut at
all times and yet allow them to give under the weight of a patient. The fabric
frame consisted of side bars of heavy tubing, attached to the cross-pieces by
malleable casting. The locking device which bound the fabric frame to the
head and foot ends had three binding surfaces and the added weight and use
served only to make the union more rigid. Since this particular type of lock
was limited to one manfacturer, the early World War procurements, while con-
tinuing the three-piece idea, permitted the use of the particular type of locking
device standard with the individual manufacturer. Other minor diiferences
were also allowed, though the finish in white enamel and the standard height
of the fabric from the floor were required. Because this bed was both bulky
and heavy and was inconvenient for shipment, a type of bed with the same
dimensions, but the angle-iron side rails and the head and foot pieces so arranged
as to fold under the spring, was adopted by the Surgeon General, August 15,
1917. ' Its lighter weight, greater compactness, and the attachment of end
pieces to the body and withal its stability when set up made it very satisfactory
for the purpose it was intended to serve. It both stored and shipped more
easily than the three-piece bed and occupied much less space, which was a great
consideration in shipments made overseas. The specifications follow:

475

476 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Specifications of Fold-under Hospital Bed

Ends. — Made of butt weld pipe, outside diameter 1.05 ineh, bent to form continuous
posts measuring 34% inches wide on outside. Head end to measure 42% inches high from
floor. Foot end to measure 32J-^ inches high from floor. Bottom of posts to be covered
with steel cap. Head and foot ends to have one cross tube 0.084 inch diameter in each end
just above fabric and one T 7 s -meh steel cross rod in each end below fabric. Five filling rods
in each end. Center filling rod to be J-g-inch tubing with two %-inch rods on each side.

Fabric frame. — Side and end angles to be of 2 by l}-^ inch by J-s-inch, high-carbon steel.
Side and end angles braced at each corner with lj^-inch by 1%-inch by J^-ineh angles to
prevent twisting. Frame joined to ends at each corner with two 1-inch by J^-inch flat
steel braces. Ends fold under frame. L uigth of bottom, 6 feet, 4% inches. Top of side
rail to measure 25J4 inches from floor. Frame to have lock at each corner to hold ends
securely when open.

Fabric. — Simmons twisted double-link fabric, galvanized, 17 links long by 17 strands
wide, Twin Link, or National fabric of equal strength may be accepted, but no single-wire
fabric. Fabric connected to frame at each end by 17 number 12 helical springs, japanned,
2|^ inches long, and on each side by 4 number 14 helical springs, japanned 15-jj inches long.

Canopy. — Beds to be supplied with T canopy at each end. Upright and cross bars to
be made of /g-inch rod connected with chill. End of upright squared. T canopy will enter
hole drilled in top of top rod at center and will slide through %-ineh center upright into
square hole in bottom rod, which will hold it rigidly in place.

Finish. — Primer and dull white finish as per sample.

Packing. — Ends and frame to be protected by excelsior pads.

Each bed to be plainly marked "U. S. A. M. D." in such manner that the marking can
not be made illegible.

Adopted August 15, 1917.

This fold-under type was prescribed for the procurement of 150,000 bed-
steads for which negotiations were then pending. 1 The finish of this lot was
in white enamel. This finish, however, owing to the brittleness of the enamel
and the readiness with which it chipped, did not prove as satisfactory on the
fold-under type as it had on the standard three-piece type. It was found
practicable at a later date to electro-galvanize these bedsteads instead of
painting or enameling them, and 85,000 in this finish were purchased. The
color of the finish blended well with that of the blankets. Furthermore, it was
sanitary, did not chip or rust, or rub off, and presented a very pleasing appear-
ance. It was adopted as the standard finish and remained so until the fall of
1918, when the use of aluminum paint was substituted for it by the War
Industries Board, on the ground that not only would there be a saving of $70,000
but also that the galvanized finish could be supplied by only one manufacturer
and thus limited competition. 2

MATTRESSES

HAIR MATTRESS

The standard mattress specifications of the Medical Department, for years
prior to the World War, had called for a 3-pieee, 25-pound, finished weight
mattress filled with curled hair of the grade known as pure South American
hair. This hair, mostly the mane hair cut from horses on the pampas of South
America, by reason of its lightness, resiliency, and softness, had been found to
be the most satisfactory material for hospital purposes. Its resiliency prevented
packing and permitted ventilation. Its softness added greatly to the comfort

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 477

of the invalid. The three sections permitted frequent changes of the parts of
the mattress which bore the greatest weight, and permitted the removal of a
section, in the event one became soiled, and its replacement without the loss
of the entire mattress. Great care was exercised in the purchase of these hair
mattresses to avoid any admixture of hog hair or other adulterant, for it had
been found that such mixtures served only to reduce the resiliency of the mat-
tress and to cause it to pack, thus becoming hard and uncomfortable. Further-
more, the resultant renovations were less satisfactory and shorter lived.

COTTON FELT MATTRESS

Because of the improbability of securing considerable importations of hair
from South America, the demand for the civilian trade, the resultant high cost
of the hair, and the urgent need for prompt deliveries, considered in connection
with the limited periods during which the majority of the mattresses would
probably be used, the Surgeon General decided that some other less expensive
material, yet comfortable withal, which could be procured in ample quantities
must be substituted. Because of the growing favor of cotton felt in private use,
its lower cost, and the apparently ample supply of materials, cotton felt was
selected for the purpose. It was thought that there would be no difficulty in
securing all the material that was necessary since the United States was the
greatest cotton-producing country in the world.

The specifications for the mattress finally adopted 3 contemplated a cotton
felt mattress 2 feet 10 inches by 6 feet 4 inches, with a 4^-inch boxed edge
between seams and of 30 pounds finished weight. The ticking adopted was a
blue and white narrow, or wide, striped ticking of 74 by 44 comet, running 2.8
linear yards of 31-inch goods to the pound, and having a tensile strength of 90
pounds in the warp and 40 pounds in the filling or woof. The body of the
mattress was to be built up of cotton felt in layers, each layer to be full size
and to be made up one-half of strict upland middling cotton and one-half of
good grade of felting linters. Neat and substantial workmanship was required,
with the tilling evenly distributed, except the center, which was to be slightly
crowned. Thirty-three suitable white cotton tufts, top and bottom (diamond
in biscuit pattern), were required. Two rows of stitching through the boxing
ends and sides of at least 16 stitches each on the ends and 37 stitches each on
the sides were required. Every mattress had to be plainly labeled with the
name of the manufacturer and the year and month in which made. Owing to
the absorption of practically the entire output of linters by the Ordnance
Department, for the manufacture of smokeless powder, it proved necessary
during 1918 to substitute a certain quantity of mill pickers for a part of the
linters.

Of the original requirement of 82,000 mattresses of June 8, 1917, the allot-
ment of 64,200 was placed as follows: Five-thousand for immediate delivery,
half of the remainder by July 1">, and the balance by August 15. Orders
for the remaining 17,800 were placed shortly thereafter. The orders were
distributed among 20 large manufacturers. These mattresses, as deliveries
became available, were shipped on Government bill of lading direct from the
factories to the hospitals at the camps or to the distributing depots, and arrived

478 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

in ample time to be placed in the wards of the hospitals when they were opened
in advance of the arrival of the troops.

Before deliveries at the camps had been completed the flow of mattresses
overseas had begun. The original equipment of the base hospitals sent over-
seas contemplated a bed capacity of only 500, but because of the increase of
the strength of a division to approximately 27,000 4 the allowance of four
hospitals per division would be inadequate to provide sufficient lying-down
accommodations unless the bed capacity was increased. Therefore, instructions
were given by the Surgeon General to ship the complete equipment for 500
additional beds for every such base hospital sent over. This was accomplished
by ordering a sufficient number of ward units to meet the requirements.

The original instructions for the procurement of 82,000 mattresses were
increased on August 7, 1917, by 50,000 mattresses, 50,000 hair pillows, and
25,000 feather pillows. 5 These later instructions were amended further on
August 18, 1917, to increase the number to 150,000 and to procure the addi-
tional equipment needed to complete 3,000 ward units. 6

The procurements for the 150,000 mattresses were placed without difficulty,
and production proceeded fairly well but somewhat behind schedule. Since it
was contemplated shipping all of them overseas when the instructions to procure
were issued, and when it developed that the shipments could not be made as
contemplated, the lagging of the deliveries, owing to the great bulk of product
and the consequent extensive storage space required to take care of the output,
did not prove to be wholly an unmixed evil. For a time the question of the
space in which to store them became acute. However, the presence of a
greater number of troops in camp during the winter of 1917-18 than was
anticipated when the orders were placed, the presence of severe epidemic
diseases in the camps during that period, and the resultant demands from every
part of the United States for more and more beds, caused the store of mat-
tresses to dwindle rapidly, and the anticipated shortage of storage space did
not become so acute as was feared. In all the camps the bed capacity of the
hospitals was doubled, in some trebled, and in one or two quadrupled over the
equipment originally supplied. It was no uncommon thing during that winter
to order out to camps complete equipment for 100 to 500 additional beds at a
time. At no time during this trying period was there an actual shortage of
lying-down accommodations in any of the camps.

PILLOWS

The Medical Department carried in stock two kinds of pillows, hair and
feather, generally more of the former than of the latter. Usually, a hair pillow
was provided for every bed and feather pillows in liberal number were available
at every hospital, so that there were additional pillows for such patients as
needed them.

HAIR PILLOW

For the same reasons it was the standard for mattresses, pure South
American hair was used in the hair pillows. The admixture of substitutes
was even less permissible in the pillow than in the mattress, and was continu-
ously declined. The specifications for hair pillows during the procurements of

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 479

1917 called for a pillow 18 by 28 inches, containing 2 pounds of pure South
American hair inclosed in a high-grade ticking of 80 by 64 or 84 by 60 threads
per inch, running 7.5 ounces per linear yard of 32-inch material, in wide or
narrow blue and white stripe, either herringbone or twill weave, with a tensile
strength of not less than 100 pounds in the warp and 70 pounds in the woof;
finished weight, 2^ pounds. All work was to be done in a strictly first-class
manner and every pillow was to have a label showing the name of the
manufacturer and the year and month in which made.

For the procurements made during the summer and autumn of 1918 it
was found necessary to substitute domestic products for the South American
hair in the pillows. The manufacturers proposed a pillow containing 1 pound
of curled cow-tail hair and a half pound of curled winter hog hair. It was
claimed that the stock of cow-tail hair was not sufficient to provide more than
this amount per pillow, considering the great number of pillows being purchased.
The Surgeon General decided to eliminate the hog hair and to procure the
pillows with only a pound of cow-tail hair in them if a greater amount could
not be provided, and the orders were placed on that basis.

FEATHER PILLOW

The general appearance, specifications, and workmanship on the feather
pillows were the same as for hair pillows, except as to contents. The feathers
specified were prime live goose feathers, carefully renovated and free from odor.
All feathers were to be new; no old or reworked feathers in whole or in part
were permissible. Nor was the admixture of the feathers of other fowl accept-
able. The weight of the finished pillow was 2% to iy 2 pounds. Owing to the
scarcity and high initial cost of goose feathers, the mattress and pillow committee
of the Council of National Defense, in their revised specifications, substituted
a mixture of one-third good quality No. 1 gray or white goose feathers and
two-thirds good quality No. 1 gray or white duck feathers, either domestic or
foreign. 7

The great number of pillows required soon exhausted the available stocks
of this grade of feathers, so a reduction in the standard had to be made. Before
the later contracts had been placed even duck feathers were at a premium, and
a mixture of chicken feathers had to be used, and the quantity in the pillows
reduced. Goose feathers had been found by years of experience to be the most
satisfactory for hospital pillows. The fluffiness of the feathers, their softness
to the touch, their lack of a tendency to mat together, and the comparative ease
with which all animal and other odor could be removed, could not be duplicated
in the feathers of any other species of domestic fowl. The feathers of the duck,
while possessing many of the qualities of the goose, were difficult to free from
the offensive local odor which permeated them. Chicken feathers are harsher,
have a tendency to mat, and lose their "life" much earlier then goose feathers.

BLANKETS

The Medical Department had two standard blankets in its equipment
tables when we entered the World War. One was a 4-pound, pure-wool, white
blanket, the warp being of three-fourths blood bred wool and the filling of
one-fourth blood bred wool. This blanket was 66 by 84 inches in size, had a

480 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

maroon stripe (the color of the Medical Department) 2 inches wide across the
blanket near each end, and the letters "M. D." over "U. S. A." in maroon
inclosed in a centrally located circle in the same color. The use of this blanket
was limited to the wards and nurses' quarters of permanent hospitals.

The other blanket, intended for use in the field, was of approximately the
same weight and size, but made of a lower grade of material and dyed different
shades varying from blue to steel gray, but having the monogram in the
center. The white color was not suitable for field use, hence the change to a
dark color.

Because of the shortage of wool, as a result of the war, it became necessary
to adopt a blanket made of mixed materials, and a gray blanket was purchased
for hospital use. The question of securing a sufficient number of blankets was
a matter of anxiety at practically all times and did not grow less as time passed.
It was found necessary to provide four blankets for every bed in use in addition
to the vast quantities required by the field service in the evacuation of the
wounded.

Altogether upward of 2,798,780 blankets were purchased by the Medical
Department, of which 1,976,937 had been delivered by March 1,1918, leaving a
balance of 821,843 blankets due. The contractors at the projected rate of
deliveries would have been delincpient 148,300 blankets on April 30, 1919, had
their contracts gone on to completion.

At the same time the Medical Department had due from the Quatermaster
Department on interbureau requisition, 1,500,000 on which no deliveries had
been made, except a few renovated blankets transferred at Hoboken.

MESS AND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT

In the construction of several of the hospitals at the cantonments built-in
mess or dining tables and seats were provided. The material and labor for this
purpose were supplied out of the appropriation, "Construction and repair of
hospitals." The purposes covered by this appropriation were greatly extended
in the urgent deficiency act of June 15, 1917, to include heating, lighting,
plumbing, sewers, roads, and walks. 8 Under this heading were included all
the ranges and steam kettles in the kitchen and the steam tables in the dining
rooms and diet kitchens. Chairs and dining tables and mess equipment
(tableware, glassware, dishes, etc.) and many cooking utensils were supplied
from the appropriation, "Medical and Hospital Department." Providing
hospitals with the built-in equipment was handled by the construction branch
of the Quartermaster General's Office; supplying the special equipment was
done by the finance and supply division of the Surgeon General's Office.

A great many chairs, dining tables, and refrigerators, large size, were
furnished for the mess halls and many kitchen and cooks' tables for the kitchen.
The chairs were saddle seat, bow back, well rodded and bolted together to
insure long life and utility.

FOOD TRUCKS AND CONTAINERS
It may safely be said that no problem connected with the feeding of
patients in large hospitals has been more difficult of solution than the serving
of the food sufficiently hot to be tempting and palatable to bed patients. In

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 481

the ward, even when a steam table is installed, the distance the food has to be
carried to the individual patient is sufficient to permit it to cool to a very
appreciable degree. It is not always practicable to install steam tables in
wards, and it is practically impossible to prepare all the diets for the ward in
the diet kitchen. The central kitchen is much more economical in personnel,
fuel, and space. It seems necessary, therefore, to have the main articles of
diet prepared in the central kitchen and transported in some sort of a convey-
ance to the ward, or preferably directly to the patient. From this it follows
that the conveyance must be readily portable, preferably on wheels with
rubber tires, and equipped with some means of. keeping the food hot until it
reaches the patient or the steam table in the ward. The multitude of patterns
of food wagons and food carriers which appear in the catalogues of the various
supply houses speaks eloquently of the difficulty experienced in accomplishing
the desired result. Many of those carriages are very elaborate and complicated
and entirely too expensive for general use in Army hospitals.

Prior to the opening of the large hospitals at the camps, very few hospitals
in the Army were of a size to require special means for serving food. The
patients were relatively few in number and the wards were sufficiently near the
kitchen to permit direct service on trays. Though a few food conveyors had
been procured, from time to time, for the larger military hospitals, most of them
depending upon a hot-water chamber to keep the food hot while in transit, no
standard had been adopted by the Medical Department, since all procurements
had been on special requisitions and generally conformed to the idea of the
requisitioning officer. Some type, therefore, had to be selected or devised to
meet the needs of the large World War hospitals. To this end, the Surgeon
General instructed the medical supply officer, New York, to investigate the
matter and submit a report thereon. 9 The report of the investigation was duly
forwarded to the Surgeon General by the medical supply officer, and 200 trucks
of the adopted pattern were purchased.

The first food carriage procured consisted essentially of an angle-iron frame
mounted on wheels and carrying six food conveyor boxes. The frame was 26
inches wide, 44 inches long, and 36 inches high, and had 3 shelves, and was of
aluminum finish. There were four swivel wheels, 6 inches in diameter, rubber
tired and equipped with roller and thrust bearings. The conveyor boxes were
19 by 25 by hYi inches, made of galvanized iron, with a superimposed shelf
2\i inches high, perforated with four holes 834 inches in diameter and 3 holes
5}4 inches in diameter. The conveyor boxes were equipped with aluminum
food receptacles or pots with cover, four of 3-quart size and three of 1-quart
size, all of which fitted snugly in the openings in the shelf of the conveyor box.
These conveyor boxes were supposed to have hot water underneath the shelf.
They had a capacity of 15 quarts of food each, or approximately 90 quarts to
the truck.

Some very favorable reports of this type of truck were received, and also
numerous complaints, as was anticipated. The few suggestions for improve-
ment that were made to the Surgeon General were essentially that the
30663—28 31

482 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

containers be made interchangeable with those of the steam tables in the diet
kitchens.

The difficulty in keeping the food hot was not entirely overcome by this
style of carriage. Accordingly, the subject was reopened May 13, 1918, and
investigations looking to the development of a food truck which would over-
come the objections were undertaken. A number of firms were interested and
spent much time and expense in the experimentation. A new design of con-
tainer was worked out and a large number purchased. Work on a suitable
case for transporting these containers and for other purposes was in progress
when purchases were discontinued. 10

It was at first thought that four trucks per hospital would be sufficient,
but this number soon proved inadequate and was increased to six. On October
16, 1917, instructions were issued the officer iu charge of the medical supply
depot at New York, to purchase 250 additional food trucks of the same pattern,
to issue 6 to each of the cantonments, thus making 12 for each container, and
to ship the remainder to the medical supply depot, American Expeditionary
Forces. 11 After the issues had been made to every camp, further issues were
made on requisitions in accordance with the demonstrated needs of the hospital
for which requested.

To some hospitals, individual food containers, encased in insulated jackets
similar to the ordinary tireless cooker but circular in shape, of a size to be
interchangeable with the steam tables, were issued. These containers or pots
were supposed to hold approximately enough for a ward of 30 patients. For
the more bulky articles two could be used. They could be transported in any
kind of a cart, and the heat loss from radiation was very small. They, in turn,
did not meet with universal approval, and the investigations looking to a more
satisfactory type, especially for overseas use, was in progress at the time of the
signing of the armistice. One type Mas in use at Camp Lee where the individual
food pots or containers were set into a cart body insulated as a tireless cooker,
with aluminum receptacles for the pots and an aluminum-covered insulated
top hinged at one side which let down upon the body of the cart and served
very effectively to retain the heat. Since every vessel was in its own compart-
ment, both hot and iced foods could be carried in the same cart.

SLIPPERS

The standard slipper of the Medical Department for patients in hospital
at the beginning of the World War medical purchases consisted essentially of a
medium two-ply leather sole, without heel, shaped to the foot, and an upper,
covering only the anterior half of the sole; that is to say, extending back as
far as the beginning of the instep. It resembled the Spanish chinela or the
bathroom mule. Not having any upper around the posterior or heel part, it
slipped on and off very easily. This pattern resulted from the observation that
the counters of slippers of the common commercial patterns were soon broken
down by the patients and converted, to all intents and purposes, into a "mule."
The broken-down counter gave the slipper a very untidy appearance.

After the initial purchase of slippers in June, 1917, the shortage of suitable
leather and the demand for it for other purposes made it impossible for the

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES .VXD EQUIPMENT

483

Medical Department longer to furnish leather slippers for patients in hospital.
The factories making rubber footwear offered to supply this need, making the
slipper of a canvas upper, rubber sole, and a low-grade leather insole. Further,
the prices for these "keds," as they were called, were less than had previously
been paid for the leather slipper. Their durability seemed about equal to the
leather slipper and they could be produced rapidly. To make these slippers
more sanitary the leather inner sole was replaced with a composition material
which permitted a thorough scrubbing with soap and water or even sterilization
in a disinfector, if the need arose, without material injury.

Initial equipment of 500-bed hospital as issued to all camps, 1917

Medicines, Antiseptics, and Disinfectants

Acacia powder, 1 pound, in bottle bottles..

Acetanelidum, }4 pound, in bottle do

Acidum aceticum, S^ pound, in bottle do

Acidum borieum, powder } 2 pound, in bottle

bottles.,

Acidum citrieum, }4 pound, in bottle do

Acidum hydrochloricum, H pound, in bottle. do

Acidum nitricum, \'i pound, in bottle do

Acidum oxalicum, for surgical use, }■<■ pound, in

bottle bottles..

Acidum salicylicum, 3 ounces, in bottle do

Acidum sulphuricum, } 4 pound, in bottle.. do

Acidum sulpburieum aromaticum, } $ pound in

bottle __ bottles..

Acidum tannicum, powder, 3 ounces, in bottle

___j bottles..

Acidum tartaricum, }4 pound, in bottle do

Adeps lanac hydrosus, ^4 pound, in bottle do

Adrenalin chlorid, 1-mgm. tablets, 20, in tube

tubes..

jEther, \i pound, in tin _ tins..

Aet hy lis chloridum, 3 ounces, in metal tube. tubes..

Alcohol, G gallons, in bottle ..bottles..

Aloe, powder, 1 ounce, in bottle do

Alumen, powder, 'A pound, in bottle do

Ammonii carbonas, lumps, Ig pound, in bottle

bottles..

Ammonii chloridum, M pound, in bottle do

ApomorphinEe hydrochloridum, 6-mgm. hypoder-
mic tablets, 20, in tube tubes..

Aqua ammoniac, 10 per cent, 1 pound, in bottle

bottles..

Aqua hydrogenii dioxidi, 1 pound, in bottle-do

A rgenti nitras, crystals, 1 ounce, in bottlc.do

Argenti nitras fusus, 1 ounce, in bottle do

Argyrol, 1 ounce, in bottle (or equivalent). .do

Aspirin, 1 ounce, in bottle do

Atropines sulphas:

0.65-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20, in tube

tubes..

0.13-mgm. ophthalmic disks, 50, in tube. do

Halsamum Peruvianum, K pound, in bottle

bottles..

Halsamum tolutanum, X pound, in bottle._do

Ilismuthi subnitras, ' 2 pound, in bottle do

Caffeina citrata, H ounce, in bottle do

Calx chlorinata, 1 pound, in zinc container

-- ...pounds..

Camphora, powder, y 2 pound, in bottle. ..bottles..

Capsicum, powder, \i ounce, in bottle do

"It in stock.

3)
15

36
100
15
10
4
10

20

12

72

72

6

12

120

6
15

60

15

2

C'hloralum hydratum, 1 ounce, in bottle. .bottles..

Chloroformum, \4 pound, in tin... tins..

Cocaina? hydrochloridum, ) 4 ' ounce, in bottle

— . bottles..

Cocaina? hydrochloridum, 10-mgm. hypodermic

tablets, 20-in tube tubes..

Codeina sulphas. 1 ounce, in bottle bottles..

Collodium, 1 ounce, in bottle _ do

Copaiba, )■& pound, in bottle ...do

Creosotum, 1 ounce, in bottle. _ do

Cresol, 1 pound, in bottle .do

Creta preparata, J2 pound, in bottle do

Cupri sulphas, 1 ounce, in bottle do

Digitalinum, 1-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20, in

tube _ tubes..

Emetina? hydrochloridum, 22-mgm. hypodermic

tablets, in tube _. tubes. _

P'mplastrum belladonna?, 2 yards by 6 inches in

tin tins..

Eraplastrum cantharidis, 1 yard by 6 inches, in

tin tins..

Emplastrum sinapis, 4 yards by 6 inches, in tin

tins..

Eucalyptol, 1 ounce, in bottle. bottles..

Extractum belladona? foliorum, 1 ounce, in bottle

bottles..

Extractum glycyrrhiza? purum, }4 pound, in jar

jars..

Extractum rhamni purshianae, 130-mgm. tablets,

250, in bottle- .bottles..

Fcrri et quinime citras solubilis, 3 ounces, in bottle

- bottles..

Ferri phosphas solubilis, 1 pound, in bottle-do

Ferri sulphas exsiccatus, M pound, in bottle. do

F^luidextractum ergotae, \z pound, in bottle do

Fluidextractum ipecacuanha?, \i pound; in bottle

- bottles..

Fluidextractum pruni virgina?, 1 pound, in bottle

bottles..

Fluidextractum zingiberis. \i pound, in bottle

..bottles..

Foot powder (par. 902), \i pound, in tin tins..

Olyccrinum, 1 pound, in bottle bottles..

Heroini hydrochloridum, 5.5-mgm. tablets, 500 in

bottle _ bottles..

Uexamethylenamina (urotropin), 1 ounce, in bottle

--- ..bottles..

Himatropiaae hydrobromidum, 15 grains, in bottle

— bottles ..

12
120

12

4

60

20
6
5

12

12
12

3

3

40

20

12
2
2
2

100
100

• 3

48

1

484

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Hydrargyri chloridum corrosivum:

3 ounces, in bottle bottles.. 4

Commercial, 1 pound, in bottle do 10

Tablets (antiseptic, par. 902), 250, in bottle

bottles.. 12

Hydrargyri chloridum mite:

32-mgm. tablets, 250, in bottle do 30

8.5-mgm. tablets, 250, in bottle .. do 5

2 ounces, in bottle do 60

Hydrargyri iodidum flavum, lO.mgm. tablets, 250,

in bottle bottles.. 15

Hydrargyri oxidum flavum, 1 ounce, in bottle

bottles— 2

Hydrargyri salicylas, 1 ounce, in bottle do.... 10

Hyoscinae hydrobromidum, 0.65-mgm. hypodermic

tablets, 20, in tube tubes- 6

Ichthyolum, 3 ounces, in bottle (or equivalent)

bottles. _ 15

Iodum, 1 ounce, in bottle --do 72

Ipecacuanha, powder, 3 ounces, in bottle do 1

Liquor cresolis compositus, 1 quart, in hot tie. do 60

Liquor formaldehydi (37H per cent), 1 quart, in

bottle --- bottles _ 15

Liquor potassii arsenitis, % pound, in bottle. do 2

Lithii citras effervescens, 324-mgm. tablets, 25, in

bottle - bottles.. 10

Magnesii earbonas, powder, 2 ounces, in bottle

bottles.. 20

Magnesii sulphas, 4 pounds, in tin tins _ 100

Menthol, 1 ounce, in bottle bottles.. fi

Methylis salicylas (oil of wintergreen, synthetic),

1 ounce, in bottle bottles . 15

Morphinae sulphas:

Powder, x /i ounce, in bottle do 1

8-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20, in tube

tubes,. 30

Naphthalenum.... pounds.. 30

Nitroglycerin, 0.65-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20,

in tube — tubes.. 10

Normal saline solution, tablets (par. 91)2), 100, in

bottle - bottles.. 12

Oleum caryophylli, 1 ounce, in bottle do 8

Oleum gossypii seminis, 1 quart, in bottle _._do 40

Oleum menthae piperita?, 1 ounce, in bottle. .do 8

Oleum morrhuae, 1 pound, in bottle do 2

Oleum ricini, 1 quart, in bottle do 50

Oleum santali, 1 ounce, in bottle do 12

Oleum terebinthinse rectificatum, 1 quart, in bottle

bottles,. 36

Oleum theobromatis, % pound, in bottle do 3

Pepsinum,3 ounces, in bottle.. do 1

Peptonizing tablets (par. 902), 125, in bottle. do 1

Petrolatum, 3 pounds, in tin -- tins.. 30

Petrolatum liquidum, 1 pound, in bottle. .-bottles.. 30

Phenol, H pound, in bottle - do 24

Pheny lis salicylas (Salol), 3 ounces, in bottle-do 12

Physostigminae sulphas, 0.0325-mgm., ophthalmic

disks, 50, in tube __ _ tubes.. 1

Pilocarpine hydrochloridum, 8-mgm. hypodermic

tablets, 20, in tube.- tubes.. 8

Pilulee aloini composites (or tablets), (par. 902), 250,

in bottle... _ ..bottles.. 15

Piluiae cathartics? compositae (or tablets), 400, in

bottle , bottles.. 20

Piluiae copaibae composita? (or tablets), (par. 902),

250, in bottle bottles.. 16

Piluiae ferri compositae (or tablets), (par. 902), SO,

in bottle _ bottles.. 4

Plumbi acetas, 6 ounces, in bottle do 8

Potassii acetas, 6 ounces, in bottle do 9

Potassii bicarbonas, 1 pound, in bottle bottles.. 5

Potassii bromidum, 1 pound, in bottle do 4

Potassii chloras, powder, 1 pound, in bottle, -do 5

Potassii chloras, 324-mgm. tablets, 250, in bottle

_ bottles.. 15

Potassii et sodii tartras, 3 pounds, in tin.. . .tins.. 12

Potassii hydroxidum, 1 ounce, in bottle.. .bottles.. 10

Potassii iodidum, V 2 pound, in bottle do 20

Potassii permanganas, 1 pound, in bottle (or equiv-
alent). bottles..

Protargol, 1 ounce, in bottle do 120

Pulvis glycyrrhizae compositus, y± pound, in bottle

bottles.- ' 5

Pulvis ipecacuanhas et opii, x /i pound, in bottle

..bottles.. 6

Quininaa hydrochlorosulphas, 32-mgm. hypodermic

tablets, 20, in tube tubes.. 20

Quininae sulphas:

Crystals, 1 ounce, in bottle bottles.. 10

200-mgm. tablets, 500, in bottle do 5

Resina podophylli, y 2 ounce, in bottle do 2

Rheum, powder, 2 ounces, in bottle do 6

Saccharum lactis, powder, 3 ounces, in bottle

_ _. bottles.. 12

Sapo mollis (green soap), 1 pound, in jar jars.. 72

Sodii bicarbonas, 1 pound, in bottle bottles.. 40

Sodii bicarbonas et mentha piperita, tablets (par.

902), 400, in bottle bottles.. 20

Sodii boras, powder, 1 pound, in bottle do 12

Sodii earbonas raonohydratus, for surgical use,

1 pound, in bottle bottles., 21

Sodii fluoridum, 5 pounds, in package-.packages.. 3
Sodii phosphas exsiecatus, powder, 3 ounces, in

bottle bottles.. 80

Sodii salicylas, 6 ounces, in bottle do 20

Spiritus aetheris compositus, } 2 pound, in bottle

bottles-. 12

Spiritus aetheris nitrosi, % pound, in bottle.do 24

Spiritus ammoniac aromaticus, \i pound, in bottle

bottles.. 30

Spiritus frumenti, 1 quart, in bottle r ..do 12

Spiritus glycerylis nitratis, 1 ounce, in bottle

bottles.. 4

Strychninae sulphas, 1-mgm. hypodermic tablets,

250, in bottle bottles.. 15

Sugar, white, 12 pounds, in can cans., 20

Sulphur, in roll pounds.. 20

Sulphur lotum, K> pound, in bottle bottles., 8

Syrupus ferri ioduri, J- 2 pound, in bottle do 8

Syrupus hypophosphitum compositus, 1 pound, in

bottle .— bottles.. 10

Syrupus scilla?, 1 pound, in bottle do 2

Talcum, 2 pounds, in tin tins.. 5

Tinctura aconiti, 1 ounce, in bottle .bottles.. (j

Tinctura cantharidis, % pound, in bottle.-.do 4

Tinctura capsici, \i pound, in bottle do 4

Tinctura cincnonae composita, 1 pound, in bottle

bottles., 4

Tinctura digitalis, > 2 pound, in bottle do 2

Tinctura ferri chloridi, 1 pound, in bottle.. -do 6

Tinctura gentianae composita, 1 pound, in bottle

bottles,, 24

Tinctura myrrhac, \ 2 pound, in bottle .do 1

Tinctura nucis vomicae, H pound, in bottle

bottles.. 12

Tinctura opii, 1 pound, in bottle. do 5

Tinctura opii camphorata, 1 pound, in bottle

--. bottles.. 24

Tinctura strophanthi, 1 ounce, in bottle do 1

Trochisci ammonii chloridi, 125, in bottle.-.do 12

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

485

Unguentum hydrargyria M pound, in bottle.. bottles., 24

Unguentum hydrargyri chloridi mitis, 30 per cent, 2 pounds, in jar ._ jars,. 12

Veronal, 324-mgm. tablets, 250, in bottle bottles..

Zincioxidum, % pound, in bottle. ... . ._ do 24

Zinci sulphas, \< 2 pound, in bottle --- do 2

Stationery

Bands, elastic dozen..

Baskets:

Letter number.

Waste paper do

Binders, loose leaf, for medical history of post (see
par. 412) number-
Blotters, hand do

Books, blank:

Crown (cap), 250 pages.. -do

8vo, 150 pages do

Books, prescriptions (see par. 240) _do

Cups, sponge do

Envelope openers --do

Envelopes, official:

Large - do

Letter ..do

Note do

Erasers, rubber:

Pencil . pieces..

Typewriter number..

Steel do

Ink:

Black (powder or tablets), sufficient in box for
1 quart of fluid.. boxes..

Red 2 ounces, in bottle .. bottles. .

Inkstands — number..

Labels:

For dispensing set do

For vials gross. .

Poison, assorted ...do

Pads:

Ink, for stamps ... number..

Prescription dozen..

300

1,000

500

12
24

Paper, blotting:

For desks. quires.

Small pieces for hand blotters pieces .

Paper, carbon:

Cap, 100 sheets, in box boxes.

Letter, 100 sheets, in box do...

Paper fasteners do.._

Paper, manifolding:

Cap, 250 sheets, in package packages.

Letter—

500 sheets, in package do

Perforated, 500 sheets, in package. ..do

Paper, typewriter:

Cap, 250 sheets, in package do...

Letter, 500 sheets, in package... do

Paper weights... _. ..number.

Paper, writing:

Letter quires..

Note ...do

Note, 100 sheets, in pad pads..

Paste, photographic and library Jars..

Pencils, lead number..

Penholders ...do

Penracks do —

Pens, steel gross..

Punches, perforating number..

Rulers do

Stamps, penalty, rubber do

Tape, office, red... spools..

Miscellaneous Supplies

Alcohol, denatured, 5 gallons, in bottle. ..bottles.. 20
Apparatus:

Compressed air (par. 903) number.. 1

Restraint (par. 904) do 1

Applicators for throat, wood gross.. 20

Aprons, cooks' number.. 50

Atomizers, hand.. do 20

Bags, rubber:

Hot water do 12

Ice, for head do 20

Bandages:

Gauze, roller, assorted, 6 dozen, inbox__boxes._ 50

Rubber, Martin. _. do 3

Suspensory dozen.. 12

Bandage winders number.. 1

Bars, mosquito do 548

Basins for sponges, etc., white enamel do 12

Basins:

Hand, white enamel do 12

White enamel, for operating room do 10

Bath robes (gowns, convalescent) do 500

Bed cradles do 8

Bedpans, white enamel ...do 50

Bedsteads, white enamel do 548

Bells, call do..., 2

Blankets, white number..

Boilers:

Double, for cooking—

11-quart do

4-quart - do

Instrument do

For wards.. do

Tin, copper bottom.. do

Bottles, 4-quart, glass stoppers, for antiseptic solu-
tions number..

Bougies, flexible... do

Bowls:

Chopping do

Soup, delft do

Sugar, with lid do

Boxes:

Folding, for tablets dozen..

Fracture, folding number..

Ointment, impervious dozen. .

Pill do

Powder. — do

Brooms:

Corn number..

Hair, long handle, for floors .do

Whisk -- do

12
200

2
4
20

50

30
150

12
144

36

12
4
1

12
2
2

1,100

6
4
12
12

2
600
36

100

2

120

120

120

60
12
10

486

FIXANCE AND SUPPLY

Brushes:

Hair, counter (brushes, h;iir, for floors)

— .-number., 12

Hand, fiber do 60

Paint do o

Scrubbing do.— «0

Shaving ___do 4

Stove blacking do 5

Buckets:

Covered, metal, 7-quart do 10

Fiber ..do.... 10

Galvanized iron do 90

Cabinets, metal, for blanks and documents.do 2

Cabinets for dressings and instruments:

Large _ _do 2

Small,. do 2

Cabinets for medicines, ward do 15

Can openers do 12

Caps, for cooks do 60

Capsules, gelatin, 100, in box, sizes:

00 boxes.. 25

- - do..._ 50

1 --- - - - do.... 50

2-- _ do 50

Cases:

Aspirating (par. 910) number.. 1

Ear, nose, and throat (par. 912) do 1

Emergency (par. 913) do 3

Eye (par. 914) do 1

Forceps, hemostatic (par. 915) do 4

General operating (par. 910) do 3

Genitourinary (par. 917) do 1

Pocket (par. 923) do 2

Post-mortem (par. 924) do 1

Trial lenses (par. 926) do 1

Catheters, flexible do 3(>

Chairs:

Arm do 112

Folding do 250

Invalid, rolling -_- do 20

Office, revolving do 8

Rocking _.do 84

Chamois skins do 12

Chests, tool, No. 1 (par. 937) do 1

Cleavers. do 3

Clocks __ -do..-. 20

Clothesline, manila yards.. 120

Colanders:

Hotel size, large number,. 2

Stock size do 2

Cork extractors do 2

Cork pressors. _ _.do 2

Corks, long taper, sizes:

2 dozen. _ 50

3 do ]oo

4 - do 100

8 do 50

10 do 20

Corkscrews ._ _. number.. 2

Cotton, absorlHmt. in roll ..pounds.. 200

Cotton bats do 40

Crinolin (stenta). 6 yards, in piece pieces.. 12

Cruets, vinegar and oil number.. 26

Crutches __ pairs.. 24

Rubber tips for, size No. 18 (»i-inch)_ number.. 48

Cups ..do.... 600

Drinking, paper.. do 2,000

Feeding... do 72

Spit — white enamel do 200

Paper do 10,000

Metal frames for do 100

Curettes ..number.. 6

Cushions:

Rubber— small do. 6

Open Center do 6

Surgical, Kelly's _do 4

Cuspidors do 30

Desks, office _• do... 6

Dippers, 1-quart _d 12

Dishes:

Meat, assorted _._ do 80

Pickle do.... 48

Soap, with covers, for office do 6

Vegetable _ do.... 80

Dispensing sets (par. 942) sets.. 1

Egg beaters _ number.. 2

Egg whips, large _.d 2

Eye shades:

double -do..., 12

single do.... 24

First-aid packets for instruction (par. 945). .do 120

Forceps, needle do 4

Forks:

Carving _ d o. 3

Flesn - ..do.... 4

Table, silver-plated do 560

Freezers, ice cream, 40-quart do... 2

Funnels, glass:

^-c- - do.... 6

250-c. c do 6

500-c.c- do 6

1,000-c. c do.... 6

Gauze, plain 7/12, 7J./24, 8/12 vards 10 000

Gloves, rubber pairs 4g

Glue, liquid, in small commercial tin. .tins.. 5

Gowns, operating. ._ number" 100

Graduates, glass:

10-e.c _____ do_.._ 4

I00 -c.c. do.... 6

250-c.c d o._.. 4

500-c.c - do.... 4

1,000-c. c do.-. 2

Graters:

L«ge— do.... 1

Small do.... 1

Gravy boats __ do 20

Gridirons do.!"" 4

Grindstones, kitchen, complete, 10-inch ... do 1

Hones ."do!!!! 2

Hose:

Rubber, %-imh, in 50-foot lengths. ..lengths.. 3

Nozzles for number.. 3

Reel carts for do. 2

Inflators, Politzer's do. 2

Inhalers:

Chloroform, with drop bottles do 2

Etl >er —..do.!]] 2

Irrigators:

Stands for _do 2

Valentine's do.. 2

Jars:

Large, for dressings, etc do 10

Small, covered, for sutures, etc. do _ 6

Kettles:

Croup.. do 2

Tea— do.... 3

Knives:

Chopping do 2

Bread do.... 2

Butcher's .do.... r,

Carving do..__ 6

Table, silver-plated do 560

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

487

Ladders, step - number

Ladles, assorted sizes . do

Lamps, spirit, glass do

Lanterns:

Complete do —

Extra globes for, white. do

Wicks for... do....

Litters:

With slings, do

Canvas for _ pieces..

Tacks for, 75, in package packages..

Looking-glasses number..

Lye, concentrated, 1 pound in can cans..

Mats, door:

Manila number..

Metal do

Mattress covers do

Mattresses, hair, in three equal parts do

Measures, metal, 1-pint, 1-quart, 2-quart, and 4-

quart sets.-

Meat cutters, hotel size .number. -

Medicine droppers dozen..

Medicine glasses number..

Mops:

Handles for ...do

lleads for do

Mortars and pestles:

Class, 10-cm do

Wedgewood —

8-cm do

21)-cm ..do

30-cm do

Muslin, unbleached .-yards..

Needles:

Common, assorted papers. .

Surgical —

Assorted dozen..

Hagedorn's, 20, in set sets..

Oil cans with pumps, 5-gallon number..

Oilcloth, for table yards..

Ophthalmoscopes number. .

Pails:

Commode (close stools) do

White enamel do

Pajamas:

Coats ..do

Trousers do

Pans:

Dish-
Deep, retinned, 21-quart.. do

Fxtra heavy, retinned or metal, 85-quart
. number..

Dust do

Frying—

Large ..do

Egg do.—

Milk do.__.

Muffin do

Sauce, hotel size do

Paper:

Filtering, round, 10-inch... _ packages. .

Oiled, 5 yards, in roll rolls..

Toilet, 2,000 sheets, in roll do

Wrapping —

Blue. quires. .

Brown do

White do

Percolators, glass _ ... .- number..

Pill machines _ ..do

Pillowcases, cotton - do

12
12
72

20

12

12
20

12(1

24

6

800

548

1

1

24

120

36

72

1,200
1,200

12

30

4
12
12

24
12

20
10

500

12

60

12

2

1

2,000

Pillows:

Feather number.. 250

Hair do 500

Pill tiles, 5 by 10 inches do 4

Pins:

Common, assorted papers.. 60

Safety dozen.. 200

Pitchers:
Delft—

For office number... 2

1-pint." _-. ..do 32

4-quart do 20

Sirup, glass _ ...do 12

White enamel do 20

Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 5 yards by 2*2 inches

spools.. 252

Plaster of Paris, 4 pounds, in tin tins.. 6

Plates,dinner number ._ 520

Potato mashers, hotel size do 4

Pots:

Mustard, with wooden spoons .do 24

Stock—

36-quart with faucet and strainer . ..do 8

36-quart without faucet and strainer, do 6

Tea, enamel or tin do 6

Watering.. r -do 2

Pus basins do 24

Racks for urinals and bedpans do 20

Razors do 6

Strops for do 2

Refrigerators:

Large --do 3

Small do.... 10

Retorts, stands for do 2

Rods, glass, assorted, 10 ounces, in package

packages.. 1

Rolling-pins number.. 2

Safes, iron -do 1

Saucers - do 000

Saws, butcher's do 3

Scales and weights:

Apothecary's, metric system ...do 2

Balance in glass case, metric system do 2

(Irocer's do 1

Platform do 1

Scissors, bandage do 6

Scoops do 6

Screens, bed, folding, frames for, white enamel

_ _ number.. 12

Settees, for porch or hall do 12

Shakers:

Pepper, glass do 20

Salt, glass do 20

Shears do 6

For fixed bandages _ do 2

Sheeting, rubber ...yards . 36

Sheets, cotton- - number.. 1.500

Shoes, wooden, for bedsteads .....do 2,200

Sieves, flour --do 2

Silk, oiled, 5 yards, in roll - rolls.. 8

Skimmers, hotel size number.. 12

Slippers pairs.. 150

Soap:

Common pounds.. 000

Ivory cakes.. 500

Scouring pounds.- 400

Spatulas:

3-inch — number.. 3

o-inch do 4

Specula, rectal — do — '

488

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Sphygmomanometers number..

Splints, Hodgen's do

Sponge holders _-do

Spools, Halstead's glass do

Spoons:

Basting, tinned-iron do

Table, silver-plated do

Tea, silver-plated do

Sprinklers, powder, hard rubber _ _do

Stamps, with outfits, for marking hospital

clothing number..

Steels do

Sterilizers, for dressings do

Stethoscopes, double do

Stools, revolving, white enamel do

Stoves, alcohol do

Stove blacking papers. .

Suppository molds number..

Sutures:

Catgut —

Plain, 1 suture, in tube, Nos. 0, 75; 1, 75; 2,

100; 3, 50 tubes..

Chromicised, 1 suture, in tube, Nos. 0, 25;

1, 50; 2, 100; 3, 25 tubes..

Horsehair, 100 in coil coils..

Kangaroo tendon, sterilized, 1 suture, in tube

tubes. _

Silk, 3 sizes, in package packages..

Silkworm gut, 100, in coil coils..

Silver wire, in yard lengths yards..

Syringes:

Bulb, rubber number..

Ear and ulcer do

Extra needles for.. do

Extra needles for Luer type .do

Extra wires for bundles..

Fountain —

Metal, 2-quart, graduated (irrigators)

..number..

Rubber, do

Glass, Luer type —

2-c.c. (for antityphoid vaccination).. do

10-c. c do

Hypodermic (par. 956) do

Penis, glass, in case do

Tables:

Bedside, folding do

Dining, extension do

Mess (plain lumber) .. . do

Instrument do

Operating do

Typewriter . ..do

1
2
12

12

12

480

600

2

1
3
2
12
6
12
12
1

300
200

60
60
12
6

4
4
72

141

10

12

24
2

10
300

300
6
21
4
3

Tape, cotton pieces..

Tape measures, linen, 5-foot number..

Thermo-cauterics, Paquelin's (par. 957) do

Thermometers:

Bath.. do....

Clinical do

Meteorological do

Thread:

Cotton, assorted spools. .

Linen, unbleached, 200 yards, on spool-. do

Tongue depressors:

Metal number..

Wood - gross. _

Tourniquets and bandages, rubber number..

Towels:

Bath dozen. _

Dish... do

Hand do

Paper-
Fixtures for number..

In roll rolls..

Traps:

Mouse number..

Eat do

Trays:

Bed, with legs do

Butler's do

Instrument, white enamel do

Tubes:

Drainage, rubber, in yard lengths, 3 sizes

yards. _

Rectal number. _

Stomach do

Tubing:

Glass, assorted .._ _-_pounds__

Rubber, M-inch, 12; %-ineh, 6; H-inch, 6
- yards..

Tubs:

Bath, portable, on wheels do

Foot ___ do

Wash do.—

Tumblers, glass do

Twine, fine or coarse pounds. _

Twine boxes __do

Typewriters .do

Record ribbons for ._ do

Urinals, glass, graduated do

Vials dozen..

Vision test sets (par. 959) do

Water coolers do

Laboratory Supplies

Acid, acetic, glacial, 1 pound in bottle bottle.. 1

Alcohol:

Absolute, ethyl, 1 pound, in bottle .do 2

Methyl, reagent, 1 pound, in bottle do 2

Apparatus, distilling ..number.. l

Balsam, Canada, 1 ounce, in bottle bottle.. 1

Baskets, wire, for test tubes number.. 4

Baths, water:

Copper, for test tubes do l

Tripods for do 1

Beakers, glass do 6

Bismarck brown, \i ounce, in bottle bottle.. 1

Bottles, balsam number.. 1

Bottles, dropping:

For oil of cedar (1 with microscope) do 1

T. K., for stains, 2-ounce do 6

Bromin, l ounce, in bottle bottles..

Brushes, test tube... _ number..

Burettes:

Glass stopcock, 25-c. c, subdivision -^ c. c.
number..

Supports for, with double clamp and three rings

number..

Centrifuges, hand do

Covers, glass ounce-
Cylinders, graduated, with foot:

10-c. c number..

25-c. c do— -

Dishes:

Evaporating, porcelain do

Stender, 30 mm. by 50 mm do

Eosin, H ounce, m bottle bottle..

20
10

12
144
20

2
24

100
40
250

6
24

1

2

60
30
12

24

4

1
20

6
600
20

3

5

10

80

600

1
20

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

489

Flasks, Erlenmeyer's:

250-c. c number.. 6

500-c. c do 6

1,000-c. c do 4

2,000-c. c do 8

Forceps:

Cover-glass, Stewart's do 4

Straight, medium, fine do 1

Fuchsin, H ounce, in bottle bottle.. 1

Fuchsin, acid, H ounce, in bottle do 1

Gentian violet, jounce, in bottle do 1

Hematoxylin, jounce, in bottle do 1

Hemocytometers number.. 2

Jars, staining, Coplin's __do 2

Labels, microscopical, square, 500, in book

books.. 2

Methylene blue, H ounce, in bottle bottles.. 1

Microscopes, post (par. 951) with stage number.. 1

Oil, immersion, 1 ounce, in bottle bottles.. 1

Paper:

Filtering, Laboratory ...quire.. 1

Litmus—

Blue, 100 strips, in vial vials.. 6

Paper— Continued,

Litmus— Continued.

Red, 100 strips, in vial _vials__ 6

Pencils, wax, red number.. 6

Pipettes:

1-c. c do 4

5-c. c... do 2

10-c. c . —do 2

25-c. c do 2

Graduated, 5-c. c ...do 4

Slides, glass, 25 mm. by 75 mm dozen.. 12

Stages, mechanical I

Sterilizers, hot-air, 10 by 12 by 10 inches. number.. 1

Test glasses, footed, urinary do 24

Test tubes. dozen.. 12

Stands for ..number.. 2

Ureometers, Do rem us- Hinds do 2

Urinometers do 2

Wire, platinum, heavy inches.. 4

Wire, platinum, medium do 12

Wright's stain, powder, 0.2 gram, in ampoule

ampoules.. 3

Xylol, \i pound, in bottle. bottle.. 1

Additional Articles

Boilers, coffee, 40-gallon, aluminum or retinned
copper, with faucet, strainer, wire ring inside
for French drip, and metal tray to protect
bottom of boiler ..number.-

Slicer, bread and meat, sterling No. 70 -do

Tables:

Bakers, cooks, 3 by 8 feet, 2 feet 6 inches
high, knock-down number..

Tables— Continued.
Kitchen —

4 by 10 feet, 2 feet 6 inches high, knock-down

__ __ number..

3 by 6 feet, 2 feet 6 inches high, knock-down
number..

Additional Equipment for Ear, Nose, and Throat Service

Atomizers, Mueller set.. l

Air compressor, tankless _. .number.. 1

Basin, solution:

15-inch... do 3

9M-inch do 2

6-inch do 12

Bowl, immersion, stand for do 2

Bronchoscope, Jackson, battery for ...do 1

Cabinet for instruments and dressings, large .do 2

Chairs:

Barany do 1

Operating do 4

Condensers, Coakley do 2

Dilator, tracheal, Koch 6-inch, _ do 1

Director, grooved do 1

Dissector, blunt do 1

Footstool, operating room do 1

Forceps:

Angular do 2

Artery do 12

Artery, 6H"inch do 2

Laryngeal do 1

Tissue —

10-inch. _ _ _ __do 1

4H-inch, with 2 teeth do 2

Volsellum do 2

Graduates, glass:

10-c.c _■ ...do 1

1,000-c. c do 1

Headlight, with 6 extra lamps do 1

Inhaler, gas-ether, Bennett or Clark-Herd... do 1

Instrument rack, Mayo do 1

Irrigator and washstand combined do 1

Jars, covered, for dressings do 6

Knife, fistula, Koch, 6-inch number-
Knives, Mueller, best grade do —

Mallet, fiber.. do...

Mirrors:

Laryngeal - ...do

Postnasal..- do —

Needle, aneurism, 6-inch -- __.do —

Needle holder do —

Needles:

Hagedorn, straight, No.9 do —

Trocar point. Mayo, size 1 do —

Nippers, wire, 5-inch do —

Nitrous oxide, in cylinder, style E. cylinder.

Oxygen, in cylinders, style E do —

Pitcher, white enamel, 4-quart number.

Politzer bag, 8-ounce, with valve do —

Probes, copper, 6-inch. do —

Pus basins do —

Razor do.—

Retractor, mastoid, Jansen ..do —

Retractors, solid blades, 2 in set set

Rheostat, lamp-socket type, Wappler number

Rongeur, mastoid do...

Scissors:

Bandage - — pair_

Heavy, 6-inch — do...

Specula, ear, 3 in set... sets.

Speculum:

Laryngeal, Jackson _- .number

Nasal... -do...

Sponge holders do...

Sterilizer for instruments, Mueller, 110-volt— do...

Stool, revolving, for operating room— do...

Suction apparatus, Coffin- do...

1
12
1

2
2
1
1

48
12
1
1
1
1
1
3
6
1
1
1

1
1

1
2
2

1

2
2
3
5
]

490

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Sutures, catgut:

Pyoktanin, plain, size 00, 14-iuch tabes..

Tanned or chromicised—

Size 0, 14-inch do

Size 1, 14-inch do

Size 2, 14-inch do

Size 3, 14-inch. ... do

Sutures:

Silk, braided —

Size 8, 25-yard spools spool.-

Size 12,26-yard spools do

Silkworm, gut —

Fine, B_ _. coils. -

Medium, C do

Table:

Bedside, iron, white enamel number.

Instrument do

Operating, Dean do

Tongue depressers:

Wood gross.

Metal.. number.,

Transilluminator, Jackson-Fres, 110-volt do

Trocar ...do

Antrum ..do

Tuning fork do

Added September 12, 1917.

Equipment for Malingering Tests at Cantonments

Instrument or apparatus

Manufacturer

Cata-
logue
No.

Quantity
per camp

fi

Batteries, extra for Jumbo handle electric opthalmoscope

and retinoscope.
Lamps, Tungsten, extra for opthalmoscope and retinoscope.

Lense, condensing, 3-inch forms in case

3

12
1

Denzeng Standard Co., Camden,

N.J.
F. A. Hardv & Co., Chicago..

782

795

967 E

75
638

3

1

Loupes, Berger binocular _ __

Test charts, special, duplicate, one with letters reversed,
one of each.

1

3

do _

2

1

do _

do ____

1

12

Added August 31, 1917.

Ward Laboratory Equipment

1. General.— Alcohol lamps; distilled water; disinfecting solutions; waste jar; filter paper in sheets.

2. Microscopic Work— General.— Microscope, complete (1); dark filed condenser (t) for genitourinary wards; special
lamp for dark field (1) forgenito urinary wards, Bausch & Lomb, 1782; cover glasses, thin, H-ounce; stenderjars for clean
cover glasses (2); slides, regular in 'A-gross boxes (2 boxes); stender jars for clean slides (2); bottle for immersion oil v l)-

3. Containers for reagents in blood and sputum work.— Bottles for stains; T. K. type, 2-ounce (stains to be obtained
from the main laboratory). For methylene blue, carbo-fuchsin, gentian violet, Oram's iodine, Wright's stain, Bismarck
brown. Staining jars, Coplin, for acid alcohol, alcohol (5), Gram's solutions (2), Wright's stain.

4. Hemocytomcter (1), Hemoglobinometer, Talguist (1).

5. Special apparatus for urine work.— Centrifuge, hand (1); centrifuge tubes, plain, 15-c. c. (1 dozen); medicine dropper
(4); bottles, 4-ounce, wide mouth, for collecting specimens (4 dozen); corks to fit last item (200); labels, Dennison in
books of 750 (2 books); pencils, wax (4); funnels. 3-inch, short stem (2 dozen); urinometers (2); test tubes, thin glass
(regular chemical), 150 by 16 mm. (200); test tube holders, wire (2); test tube rack, wooden, to hold 12 tubes (4); nitric
acid (1); Fehling's alkaline solution (1); Fehling's copper solution (1); Benedict's qualitative reagent vl).

6. Supplies in original packages.— Antiformin; litmus paper, neutral in tubes; filter paper, round, 12)2-cm. diameter,
in packages of 100.

Added November 26, 1917.

Equip?ncnt for venereal infirmary

Catalogue
No.

Item

Applicators, wooden _ . _ Number

Basins, wash hand, white enamel. __ IIL_.do

A-801
130
253
Knv-Scherer
Cat. D-858
220
230
226

321

Bougies-a-boule, sizes 16, 18,20,22,24,26 _ _ do

Catheters:

Rubber, sizes 16, IS, 20. 22, 24,26, 28. 30, 32 ... _ _ _ ... Dozen

Coude, sizes 16, 18.20.22.24,26.28,30,32 do. .."J"

Cots, finger, heavy rubber. _ ; Number

Flasks " ' do_

Forceps, dressing ~~^do

Irrigators complete __ "* ' ...do'.'.'.'..

J-Knives, endourethral ... do —

Mandrin, metal, with retaining spring handle, Coude beak '.do

Needle, silver utricle _ i <j

Rheostat, K.S.I, or Wappler lamp-socket type ~. ......... "do

Gloves, heavy rubber... _ <j

Salvarsan apparatus, complete --"~I~_~~~". ."""'" "do "

Quan-
tity

,000
6
6

1
1

4S
2
1

12

1
1
1
12
2

Catalogue
No.

108
109

218

252

Knv-Scherer

Cat. D-18B2

225
A-15
A-190

A-245
A-285

A-7O0
A-705

A -863
A -870
A-1110
A-1155
A-1175
A-1180
A-1205
A-1350
A-1395
A-1397
A-1590
A-1600
A-1696
A-1709
A-1741
A-1751
A-1770
A-1850

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

Equipment for venereal infirmary — Continued

491

Unit

Number _

..do

..do

do

.do.
.do.
.do .
.do.
-do.
.do .
.do .
.do.

Scissors:

Curved

Straight . ""

Sounds, steel, sizes 16, 18,20,22,24,26.30.32

Sterilizer, instrument

Syringes:

, Large vesical, metal, Janet-Frank, l. r >0-c.c _

Ultzmann-Keys, complete

Tables, simple wooden

Urethroscope, Young's straight and curved beak tubes, 26 Fr., with light and cords.

Alhuminometer

Bottle for stains

Test tube brush

Alcohol lamp

370 hand centrifuge ... .do

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

do.

Cover glasses (ounce)

Dish stender

do

Funnels

Funnel support. .

Labels

Microscope

D. G. illuminator

Funnel stop

Micro-lamp

Filter paper

Pencils, wax.. —

Pipettes

Slides (gross)

Slide bos

Syringe, 2-c.c

Needles !.__do

Test tubes _ _. i...do

do I do

Test tube support I... do

Urinometer _ _ _ ___!.. .do

' Made by carpenter.
Added April 12, 1918.

Quan-
tity

1
1
9

1

2
4

"2
I
I
6

12
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2

12
1IKI

100
2
1

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, New York, August 17,

1917. Subject : Hospital beds. Copy on file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713 r 539
1

(2) Letter from T. J. Bailey, War Industries Board, Washington, to the Surgeon General,

October 3, 1918, relative to hospital cots. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
533 N. D.

S. G. O.,

221

(3) Letter from the chairman, mattress committee of the Council of National Defense, to

the medical supply officer, New York, June 8, 1917, relative to orders for mat-

713-539
tresses. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., j

(4) Tables of Organization and Equipment, U. S. Army, Series A, Table 1, August, 1917.

(5) Letter from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, New York, August 7,

1917, relative to mattesses. Copy on file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-539
1

(6) Letter from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, New York, August 18,

1917, relative to mattresses. Copy on file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-539
1-A

(7) Specifications for feather pillows. M. and P. No. 11, June 11, 1917. On file, Finance

and Supply Division. S. G. O., .

492 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(8) Bulletin No. 43, W. D., July 22, 1917.

(9) Letter from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, New York, August 18,

1917, relative to food trucks for hospitals. Copy on file, Finance and Suppy

Division, S. G. O., — ^s — ■

(10) Correspondence between the Surgeon General and the medical supply officer, New

York, October 4 and 21, 1918, relative to food trucks for hospitals. On file,

713—539
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - 1 - fi _ •

(11) Letter from the Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, New York, October 16,

1917, relative to food trucks for hospitals. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

„ „ „ 713-539
S. GO., — 3 - 2 — •

CHAPTER XXXIII

OVERSEAS BASE HOSPITALS

Because of lack of funds and the resultant inability of the Medical Depart-
ment to procure, in time of peace, materials and equipment for base hospitals,
and to have them stored in reserve, it had no units of equipment of this type
available when the first troops of the American Expeditionary Forces were sent
to France. Hospitalization for these troops was provided by base-hospital units
organized and equipped under the auspices of the American Red Cross and
inducted into the Federal service. Fifty such units had been organized. A
majority of them provided all their initial equipment. Some units provided
part and the Medical Department supplied the rest. These Red Cross units
served to meet the requirements of the Army until the procurement schedule
of the Medical Department was able to provide them. The equipment of these
units as a rule followed the list of articles prescribed in the standard supply
table for base hospitals. Standard beds and bedding were provided in place of
the field equipment. Additional articles of kitchen equipment, mess equipment,
sterilizing outfits, and even portable laundry equipment and ice machines, were
added by some of these units. Additional equipment to bring the capacity of
these hospitals up to 1,000 beds was supplied later by the Medical Department.
When subsequent hospitals were sent overseas the list of equipment developed
for base hospitals at training camps, with a few modifications, was used as the
standard table of equipment. Some articles of heavy furniture and miscellane-
ous supplies were omitted at the request of the commanding general. A few
articles were added to meet the conditions existing in France and the quantities
of many items were increased. Changes were made in the equipment from
time to time as experience indicated. The equipment as provided was as follows :

List of medical supplies for the initial equipment of a 1,000-bed base hospital (overseas)

(Revised, Surgeon General's Office, May 18, 1918, as recommended by chief surgeon, A. E. F., April 2, 1918)

Medicines, Antiseptics, and Disinfectants

Aqua ammonia:, 10 per cent, 1 pound, in glass stop-
per bottle bottles.. 144

Argenti nitras, crystals, 1 ounce, in bottle. . -do 12

Argyrol, 1 ounce, in bottle, or equivalent do 48

Arseni trioxidum, 1 -mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle. do 4

Atropines sulphas:

0.65-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20 in tube

_ tubes.. 24

0.13-mgm. ophthalmic disks, 50 in tube. ..do 6

Balsamum Peruvianum, K pound, in wide-mouth

bottle bottles.. 24

Bismuthi subcarbonas, L'. S. P., 1 pound, in carton

cartons.. 12

Catleina citrata, ' 2 ounce, in bottle ...bottles.. 24

C amphora, powder, H pound, in wide-mouth bottle

bottles.. 36

Acacia, powder, 1 pound, in bottle bottles.. 36

Acidum aceticum, J. 2 pound, in bottle do 12

Acidura acetyl salicylicum, 1 pound, in carton

..cartons 18

Acidum boricum, powder, l 2 pound, in bottle

bottles.. 144

Acidum salicylicum, 3 ounces, in bottle do 24

Acidum tannicuin, powder, 3 ounces, in bottle

_ bottles.. 12

Acidum tartaricum, } 2 pound, in bottle do 48

Aethylis chloridum, 3 ounces, in metal tube. tubes.. 36

Alumen, powder, 3^ pound, in bottle .bottles.. 24

Ammonii carbonas, lumps, J 2 pound, in bottle. do 12

Ammonii chloridum, H pound, in bottle do 36

Apomorphin:e hydrochloridum, 7-mgm. hypodermic

•ablets, 20 in tube... ._ ...tubes.. 24

493

494

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Chloralum hydratum, 1 ounce, in glass-stopper bot-
tle ..bottles.. 24

Chloroformum, M pound, in tin. tins.. 300

Cocaina? hydrochloridum, M ounce, in wide-month

bottle .bottles.. 18

Cocaina? hydrochloridum, io-nigm. hypodermic tab-
lets, 20 in tube .tubes.. 24

Codeina sulphas, 1 ounce, in bottle ..bottles.. 4

Collodium, 1 ounce, in bottle - do 200

Creosotum, 1 ounce, in glass-stopper bottle. ..do 12

Crcsol, 1 pound, in bottle do 48

Cupri, sulphas, 1 ounce, in bottle do 12

F.met in» hydrochloridum, 22-mgm. hypodermic tab-
lets, in tube tubes.. 24

Emplastrum sinapis, 4 yards by 6 inches, in tin

_ tins.- 12

Epinephrine hydrochloride, 1-mgm. tablets, made
soluble by the addition of boric acid, 25 in tube

tubes.. 72

Extractum belladonna? folorum, 1 ounce, in bottle

bottles.. 6

Extractum cascarae sagrada?, 131-mgm. tablets, 500 in

bottle. bottles.. 20

Extractum glycyrrhizae purum, \i pound, in jar. jars 72
Ferriphosphassolubilis, l pound, in bottle, .bottles.. 4

Fluidextracturn ipecacuanha?, H pound, in bottle

bottles..

Foot powder (par. 902), ]4 pound, in tin, with perfo-
rated cover. tins.. 300

Ulycerinum, 1 pound, in bottle bottles.. 200

Ilexamethylenamina, U. S. P., 1 pound, in bottle

bottles.. 6

Homatropina 1 hydrobromidum, IS grains, in bottle

_ __ _ .bottles-. 2

Ilydrargyri chloridum corrosivum:

3 ounces, in bottle . do 8

1 pound, in bottle., do 21

Tablets (antisep) (par. 902), 250 in bottle.do 24

Ilydrargyri chloridum mite:

32-mgm. tablets, 2.50 in bottle do 48

6.5-mgm. tablets. 250 in bottle do 12

2 ounces, in bottle. do 120

Ilydrargyri salicylas, 1 ounce, in bottle do 21

Ichthylolum, 3 ounces, or equivalent, in bott le.do 36

Iodum, 1 ounce, in bottle ..do 144

Ipecacuanha, powder, 3 ounces, in wide-mouth bot-
tle --- bottles.. 4

Liquor cresolis compositus, 1 quart, in bottle.do 96

Liquor ferri chloridi, U. S. P., 1 pound, in bottle

_ bottles.. 12

Liquor formaldehydi, U. S. P., 1 gallon in Jug. Jugs.. 9

Liquor hydrogenii dioxidi, U. S. P., 1 pound, in

amber-colored bottle, stopper wired bottles.. 144

Magnesii sulphas, 4 pounds, in tin ___tins_. 200

Menthol, 1 ounce, in bottle bottles,. 12

Methylis salicylas (oil of wintergrecn, synthetic),

1 ounce in bottle bottles.. 36

Morphina? sulphas:

Powder, Ji ounce, in bottle do 2

8-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20 in tube-tubes. . 60

Xaphthalenum pounds,. 60

Nitroglycerin, 0.65-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20 in

tubes _. .tubes., 20

Normal saline solution, tablets (par. 902), 100 in

bottle bottles.. 48

Oleum caryophylli, 1 ounce in glass-stopper bottle

_ bottles.. 12

Oleum gossypii seminis, 1 quart, in bottle do 72

Oleum menthae piperita, 1 ounce, in glass-stopper

bottle bottles.. 12

Oleum ricini, 1 quart, in bottle do 60

Oleum theobromatis, >i pound, in bottle-bottles.. 6

Petrolatum, 3 pounds in tin tins.. 60

Petrolatum liquidum, 1 pound, in bottle (etc.),

heavy and light bottles.. 60

Phenol, l A pound, in bottle do 48

Phenylis salicylas, M pound in bottle do 9

Physostigminae sulphas, 0.0325-mgm. ophthalmic

disks, 50 in tube. tubes.. 2

Pilulae aloini compositae (or tablets) (par. 902), 250

in bottle bottles.. 24

Pilulae catharticae compositae (or tablets), 400 in

bottle bottles.. 48

Pilula? ferri carbonatis, 324-ingm., gelatin coated,

1,000 in bottle bottles.. 8

Plumbi acetas, 6 ounces in bottle do 12

Potassii hydroxidum, 1 ounce in bottle do 24

Potassii iodidum }A pound, in bottle... do 48

Protargol, 1 ounce or equivalent in bottle. ..do 240

Pulvis ipecacuanha" et opii, K pound in bottle

bottles.. 12

Quinina? dihydrochloridum, 32-mgm, hypodermic

tablets, 20 in tube __ tubes.. 36

Quininae sulphas:

Crystals, 1 ounce, in wide-mouth bottle

bottles.. 24

200-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle do 12

Saccharum laetis, powder, 3 ounces in bottle

bottles.. 24

Sapo mollis (green soap) 1 pound in jar jars.. 144

Scopolamines hydrobromidum, 0.650-ingm. hypo-
dermic tablets, 20 in tube tubes.. 12

Sodii acetas, IT. S' P., 1 pound in bottle. .bottles.. 12
Sodii bicarhonas, U. S. P., 1 pound, in carton

cartons.. 72

Sodii bicarbonas et mentha piperita tablets (par.

902), 400 in bottle bottles.. 48

Sodii boras, powder, 1 pound, in bottle do 24

Sodii carbonns monohydratus, for surgical use, 1

pound, in bottle bottles.. 48

Sodii fluoridum, 5 pounds in package. .packages.. 6

Sodii phosphas exsiccatus, powder, 3 ounces in

wide-mouth bottle bottles.. 144

Sodii salicylas, 6 ounces, in bottle.. ...do 48

Spiritus ammonia? aromaticus, }i pound in glass-
stopper bottle bottles.. 60

Spiritus frumenti, 1 quart, in bottle do 24

Spiritus glycerylis nitratis, 1 ounce in glass-stopper

bottle „ bottles.. 8

Strophanthinum 0.5-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20

in tube tubes.. 24

Strychnina? sulphas, 1-mgm. hypodermic tablets,

250in bottle ..bottles.. 36

Sugar, white, 12 pounds in can cans.. 36

Sulphur, in roll pounds.. 48

Sulphur lotum, }i pound in bottle bottles.. 12

Talcum, 2 pounds in tin tins.. 12

Tinctura digitalis, \-i pound, in bottle bottles.. 4

Tinctura nucis vomica?, \^ pound, in bottle.do 24

Tinctura opii, 1 pound in bottle ..do 12

Tinctura opii camphorata, 1 pound in bottle.do 48

Trochisci ammonii chloridi, 125, in bottle._.do 24

Unguentum hydrargyri, J/j pound, 10 per cent, with

petrolatum base bottles.. 48

Unguentum hydrargyri oxidi flavi, 2 per cent (pet-
rolatum base), M ounce in tube tubes.. 4

Unguentum hydrargyri chloridi mitis, 30 per cent,

2 pounds in jar ...jars.. 24

Zinci oxidum, l A pound, in wide-mouth bottle

bottles.. 46

Zinci sulphas, ; 2 pound, in wide-mouth bottle

-- bottles.. 4

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

495

Acidum hydrochloricum,

The following medicines are supplied from the base overseas

3-2 pound, in bottle

bottles..

Acidum nitricum, y 2 pound, in bottle do

Acidum sulphuricum, H pound, in bottle.. do

Note. — The size of container wI3

.$;ther, % pound, in tin tins..

Alcohol, 5 gallons, in bottle ..bottles..

Oleum terebinthina; rectiflcatum, 1 quart, in bottle

._ bottles..

vary Irom time to time due to market conditions.

24
24
12

200
20

Stationery

Hands, elastic ..dozen..

Hinders, loose-leaf, for medical history of post (see

par. 412) number..

Blotters, hand do

Hooks:

Blank—

Crown (cap), 250 pages do

8vo, 150 pages do

Prescription (see pur. 240) do

Envelopes, official:

Large do

Letter do

Erasers, rubber:

Pencil pieces..

Typewriter _. number.

Ink:

Black (powder or tablets) sufficient in box for
1 quart of fluid boxes..

Red, 2 ounces, in bottle bottles..

Labels:

For dispensing set number, .

For vials gross,.

Poison, assorted do

Pads:

Ink, Tor stamps number..

Prescription dozen..

fiOO

2,000

18
24

Paper:

Blotting—

For desks _ quires.

Small pieces for hand blotters pieces.

Carbon-
Cap, 100 sheets, in box boxes.

Letter, 100 sheets, in box do...

Fasteners ._ do...

Manifolding—

Cap, 250 sheets, in package packages.

Letter, 500 sheets, in package do

Typewriter-
Cap, 250 sheets, in package ..do

Letter, 500 sheets, in package do

Weights number..

Writing —

Letter quires ..

Note, 100 sheets, in pad pads..

Paste, photo and library ._ jars_.

Pencils, lead number.

Penholders _ _. do

Pens, steel gross..

Punches, perforating _ ...number. .

Rulers do

Stamps, penalty, rubber do

Tape, office, red.. spools..

Miscellaneous Supplies

Apparatus:

Compressed air (par. 903) number... 1

Electric do 1

Applicators, for throat:

Metal do 12

Wood gross.. 10

Apron:

Cook's number.. ISO

Rubber _. do 12

Atomizers, hand do 144

Bags:

Laundry do 60

Rubber-
Hot water do 144

Ice, for head do 50

Bandages:

Flannel, :j-inch roller gross.. 6

Gauze, roller, assorted, in boxes of six dozen

boxes.. 120

Plaster of Paris, 3-inch, in individual packages

dozen.. 36

Rubber, Martin ...number.. 4S

Suspensory ..dozen.. 16

Winder number,. 3

Bars, mosquito ...do 200

Spreaders for frames _ do 200

Frames for .pairs. . 200

Basins;

For sponges, etc., white enamel number,, 60

Hand, white enamel do 150

White enamel for operating ro:>m do 72

Bed pans, enamel or agate ware do 140

Beds, white enamel, standard... ._ number..

Bells, call do....

Blankets:

Gray .do

Rubber __do

Boilers:

Coffee, ll l £-quart tin or enamel do

Double for cooking —

11-quart do

4-quart.. d<>

Instrument-. do

Tin, copper-bottom _ .do

Books, medical library, base-hospital sets.__do

Bottles, 4-quart, for antiseptic solutions do

Bougies, flexible, Nos. 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, French
scale - - - number. .

Bowls, soup, enamel ware or aluminum do

Boxes:

Folding for tablets. dozen..

Ointmeni, impervious. do

Powder do

Brooms:

Corn - - number. .

Hair, long handle do

Brushes:

Hand, fiber do

Paint do

Scrubbing. do

Shaving do

Buckets:

Covered metal, 7-quart. do

Galvanized iron do

4

16

300
12

288
72

1,000
30

3;i

84
24
12
1
20

48
1,500

720
720
720

120
40

150
24

144
12

50

20C

496

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Cabinet, wood, for blanks and documents. number..

Can openers do

Caps for cooks ■ -- do

Capsules, gelatin, 00, 0, 1, 2, 100 in box boxes..

Case:

Aspirating (par. 910) number..

Ear, nose, throat (par. 912) do

Emergency (par. 913) do

Eye (par. 914) __do

Forceps, hemostatic (par. 915) do

Post-mortem (par. 924) do

Trial lens (par. 920) do

Cases:

General operating, (par. 916). do

Genitourinary (par. 917) do

Pocket, (par. 923) do

Chairs:

Invalid, rolling, knockdown do

Bedside, folding ._ do

Chest, tool No. 1 (par. 937) do

Cleavers.. ..do

Clothesline, Manila feet..

Clocks . number..

Corks, assorted, 300 in bag hags..

Corkscrews, folding number..

Cots, Gold Medal do

Cotton, absorbent, in roll pounds..

Cotton bats do

Colanders, hotel size number..

Crutches:

Assorted lengths pairs. .

Rubber tips, assorted sizes number—

Cups:

Enamel ware do

Feeding do

Spit, paper do

Metal frames for do

White enamel, spit do

Cushions:

Rubber, open center. _ .do

Surgical, Kelley's do

Cuspidors do

Dippers do

Dishes:

Meat, large, white enamel ..do

Vegetable, large, white enamel do

Drums:

Small, for sterilizing dressings, 9-inch diameter

number. .

Nickel, sterilizing, 10-inch diameter do

Egg whips do

Eye shades:

Single . do

Double. do

Forks:

Carving do

Flesh... do

Table, silver-plated or steel . ..do

Funnels, enamel ware, assorted sizes do

Gauze, plain, 25 yards in roll yards..

Gloves, rubber:

sizes 6V2, 7, "V2, 8, 8 1 ^; 80 of each. .pairs..

Patching outfits for number. .

Gowns, operating do

Graduates, glass:

10-c. c do

250-e. c do

500-c. c do

!,0O0-<\ c do

2

12

120

150

2
2
5
1
12
1
1

3
2

50

500

2

f,
1,000

6

6

12

1,250

200

200

6

100

eoo

2,500

250

10,000

500

500

100
24

200
24

100
ISO

24
24
12

100
200

12

12
2,000

24
0,000

400

6

300

50

in
6
3

Graters, large _ number.. 6

Gridirons, large do 24

Hones do 2

Jars:

Large, enamel ware, for dressings. .do 26

Small, enamel ware, covered, for sutures. do 12

Kettles, tea do 24

Knife sharpeners, carborundum wheel, 5-inch

_. number.. 2

Knives:

Butcher do 12

Carving do 12

Table, silver plated, or steel ..do 2, 000

Ladles..... . .do 3

Lamps:

Chimneys for; hand, 240; stand, 80 do 300

Hand . do 200

Stand. do 50

Wicks for; hand, 480; stand, 120.. ...do 600

Lanterns:

Globes for, white do 120

Wicks for dozen.. 18

Without globes or wicks number.. 36

Litters:

With slings do 200

Extra canvas for pieces.. 50

Tacks for, 75, in packages packages.. 30

Looking glasses, small, stand number.. 24

Lye, concentrated, 1 pound, in cans... cans.. 288

Mats, door, metal, folding number.. 36

Matches, 1 dozen boxes in package packages.. 24

Mattresses, for standard white-enameled bedsteads

number.. 1,000

Mattress pads, for Gold Medal cots do 1,250

Meat cutters, hotel size do 3

Medicine droppers dozen.. 24

Medicine glasses number.. 200

Mops:

Handles for do 60

Heads for do 288

Mortars and pestles, Wcdgewood:

8-cm do 6

20-cm do 3

Muslin, unbleached yards.. 300

Needles:

Common, papers number.. 72

Reverden do 12

Surgical-
Assorted papers.. 72

Hagedorn, 20 in set sets.. 10

Upholsterers __ ..number.. 1

Pails, commode (close stools) do 42

Pajamasuits do 3,000

Paint, white, 1 gallon in tin tins.. 5

Pans:

Dish, extra heavy returned, 35-quart. number.. 12

Dust do 30

Frying, large do 12

Mullin do 36

Sauce, large and small, assorted do 12

Paper:

Filtering, round, 10-inch packages.. 24

Oiled, 5 yards, in roll .rolls.. 30

Toilet, in rolls of 2,000 sheets do 500

Wrapping-
Blue quires.. 5

Brown do 10

White do.... 5

Pillowcases, cotton number.. 4,250

HOSPITAL, SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

497

Pillows, feather number.. 2, 100

Pins:

Common, assorted papers.. 150

Safety, 3 sizes gross.- 20

Pitchers, white enamel:

Small, 1-pint number,. 200

Large, 4-quart . <lo 50

Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 5 yards by 2' 2 inches,

in spool spools.. 2.50

Plaster of Paris, 4-pound tins tins-. 30

Plates, dinner, enamel ware number.. 2,000

Potato masher, hotel size .. do 6

Pots:

Stock—

24-quart, with spigot do 6

36-nuart, with faucet and strainer.- -do 8

36-quart, without faucet and strainer, do 6

Tea, enamel ware do 36

Pus basins do 100

Pyrene fire extinguishers ... —do 100

Fillers for do 100

Racks for urinals and bed pans . do 20

Razors do 12

Razor strops do 6

Retort stands do 6

Rods, glass, assorted, in 10-ounce packages

_ packages.. 2

Rolling pins, hotel size number.. 3

Safe, iron, small do 1

Saucers, white enamel do 2,000

Saws, butcher's, large do 6

Scales and weights:

Apothecaries', metric system, sensitive to 6.S

mgm number.. 1

Grocers' do — l

Balance, in glass case do 1

Screens, bedside, folding, wooden do 48

Shears pairs.. 12

Sheeting, rubber yards,. 150

Sheets, cotton do 4,250

Shirts, cotton ...number.. 2,250

Sickles do 6

Sieves, flour, pan type do 6

Skimmers do 12

Slippers ..pairs.. 800

Soap:

Common pounds.. 600

Ivory do 500

Scouring do 300

Scalpels:

5J4-ineh number. . 48

6^-inch do 48

Spatula:

3-inch . ...do 6

6-inch do 6

Spools, glass, Halstead do 24

Spoons:

Hasting, iron, large, tinned do 12

Table ....do 1,500

Tea, silver plated do 2,250

Sprinklers, powder, hard rubber ..do 6

Steels do 6

Sterilizers, nickeled, 6 by 14 inches do 24

Stools, revolving, white enamel do 6

30663—28 32

Stoves:

Coal oil, blue (lame, 1-burner ...number..

Extra wicks for, blue flame do

Stove blacking papers-.

Sutures:

Catgut —

Chromicized, 3 Sizes in package. packages..

Plain, 3 sizes in package.. do

Horsehair, 100 in coil coils..

Silk, 3 sizes in package packages..

Silkworm gut, loo in coil ...coils..

Silver wire, in yard length yards..

Suits, convalescent number _

Syringes:

Ear and ulcer _. do

Fountain-
White enamel, 2-quart, graduated .do

Rubber do

Hypodermic (par. 956) .. do

Extra needles for.. do

Extra wires for, bundles do

Penis, glass in cases do

Tables:

Bedside, wood, folding do

Instrument, metal _ do

Dressing, rolling do

Operating —

Field, folding . do

Post, standard do

Mess, folding do

Typewriter . do

Tanks, acetylene, filled do

Tape measure, 60 inches do

Thermo-cautery (par. 957) ... do

Thermometers:

Clinical do

Maximum and minimum, meteorological

number. .

Ward.... - do....

Thread:

Cotton, assorted spools __

Linen, unbleached 200 yards in spool. ..do

Tongue depressors, wood gross..

Towels:

Bath ...dozen. _

Dish do

Hand do —

Trays:

Bed with legs number..

Butlers' do

Instrument, white enamel... ..do

Tubing, Carrel:

T Vinch, red rubber yards..

32-inch, red rubber do

^-inch, red rubber .do

?i-inch, red rubber do

Tubes, stomach - number..

Tubing, glass, assorted pounds. .

Tumblers, glass ..number..

Twine, coarse pounds..

Typewriters ...number..

Record ribbons for -do

Urinals, enamel ware ..do

Venereal prophylaxis unit (par. 958) do

Vials, I, 2, 4 ounce, of each dozen..

Vision test sets .number-
Wire cotters - do —

40
SO

500

1.000

50

300

50

24

2, 250

36

48
60

60
360

60
144

33

3

50

12

I
25

too

48

17u

12

1,000

240

120
36

100

25

10

5

1*

25

105

25

12

24

120

1

200

4

4

498

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Surgical Instruments as per List of Staple, Medical, and Surgical Supplies. Revision of December, 1917

Dissecting scissors (Mayo):

Curved, 5H-int'b, screw lock (108) number__

Straight, 5u 2 -inch, screw lock (109) do

Straight scissors:

One point sharp, 534-inch, screw lock (111)

number...

Double sharp, 5V 2 -ineh, screw lock (112).. do

Bandage scissors, 7'2-ineh, screw lock (115)__do

Haemostatic forceps (Kocher), straight, 5 1 2-inch,

screw lock (120) number. _

Intestinal forceps (Doyen):

Straight, 9-inch, screw lock (124) do

Curved, 9-inch, screw lock (125) do

Sponge holder, oval blades, S 1 2-inch, screw lock

(128) .number..

Tissue forceps (Allis), 6-inch, 4 by 5 teeth, screw

lock (127) number..

Dressing forceps:

Straight, 10-inch, with catch, screw lock (128)

.number..

Spring, 5J4-inch (139) do

Tissue forceps, spring, mouse-toothed, 1 by 2, oJ/ 2 -inch

(131) number __

Needle holder:

Riehter, 7-inch screw lock (132) do

Hegar, "Mi-inch, screw lock (133) do

Towel forceps (Rackhaus), fi-inch,
Bullet forceps (Senn), 8-inch,

screw lock (134)

number..

screw lock (135)

number.,

Esmareh's tourniquet, rubber 36 by Vineh; chain,

9 inches (140.1) number..

Probes, straight, with eye, 8-inch, silver or plated

(156.1) ..number..

Director, grooved, plated, 5 l j-inch (158) do

Bone-cutting forceps (Liston), curved, screw lock,

7 • 2-inch (173) number __

Rongeur bone forceps (Horsley), screw lock 8'-.»-inch

(1 75) n umber . .

Sequestrum forceps, screw lock (177) do

Bone curette i Whiting), sizes 2, 4, and 6 (188).sets__
Rectal speculum (Sims), bivalve, wrought metal

number..

Syringe, Liter standard, all glass, with chain attach-
ment, four sizes, 2-c. c , 5-c. c, 10-c. c, 20-c. c., of

each (300).. number

Needles, hypodermic, various sizes, to fit standard

Luer syringe (301) number..

Tongue depressor (Farlow) (313) do

Faught aneroid sphygmomanometer (430) do

Yankauer mask, metal (455) do

Politzer bag (530) do

12
24

40

22

2

12

Apparatus (Carrel-Dakin) (Revised) number.

EXTRA ARTICLES FOR CAHREL-DAKIN APPARATUS

Apparatus, chlorine control number. 2

Beakers, 1,000, c.c. ,2,000c. c, of each do 12

Bottles, 10 liters: 20 liters, of each do 8

Burettes, 50 c. c. graduated in T \ c. c do 8

Crelene (or equivalent) pounds.. 8

Clamp fasteners. _. number.. 12

Pinch cocks, Mohr .do 100

Pipettes:

Bulb, 10-c. c, calibrated.. do 12

10-c. c, graduated in T V c. c do 12

Ring stand, 20-inch, medium .do 2

Screw clamps do 10

Silk, India yards.. 10

Spatula, porcelain, 7-inch number.. 2

Stoppers, rubber, 2 hole, Nos. 7, 8 do 12

Thread, linen, Nos. 25, 30, of each spools.. 12

Toweling, bath yards.. 15

Tubing:

Glass, 8-10 mm. bore _. feet.. 48

Rubber, 8-10 mm. bore do 48

Wash bottles, 250-C. c number.. 4

CHEMICALS FOR CARREL-DAKIN APPARATUS

Acid, acetic, glacial, 1 pound in bottle bottles.. H

Lime, chlorinated pounds.. 200

Phenolphthalein (powder) ..ounces.. 2

Potassium Iodide __do fi

Sodium bicarbonate pounds.. 80

Sodium carbonate, dry.. do 100

Sodium thiosulpbate (reagent quality) do 10

SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES

Abdominal suction tubes number, _ 2

Apparatus for administration of serum (3-way stop-
cock with tubing) number 2

Atomizers with extra bulb ( Sherman ).__ do 2

Clamps, hemorrhoidal do l

Clippers, hair number.. 2

Cots, finger gross.. 5

Disinfectors, portable, steam type, Kinyoun-

Francis number.. I

Forceps, straight, mosquito (Halstead) do 12

Flasks (Erlenmeyer) 500-c. c do 18

Gag, mouth (Denhart) do 4

Gas, oxygen, anesthesia apparatus do 1

Headlamps (Murphy) complete do 1

Needles, infusion. do 12

Razors, skin grafting do 2

Scalpels, ?4-inch blade __ do 10

Scissors:

Curved, disecting do 6

Straight, dissecting do 3

Sounds, uterine (Simpson) do 1

Sterilizers, national, hospital size, gasoline burners

_ do 2

Sterilizing outfit, combination with steam boiler and

I additional dressing sterilizer do l

Stretchers, wheel <io tj

Tables, instrument, adjustable do 3

Tubes, drainage;

Large (Paul's) do 2

Medium (Paul's) do 2

Ward dressing sets do 15

Water pump, slip attachments do I

Wax, stanolind _ ..bottles.. !2

BRAIN, PLASTIC, AND ORAL

Apparatus, anesthesia, intratracheal number.. l

Bellows, foot do i

Brain spatula, three sizes (Cushing) set... l

Brace and drill (Hudson) do 1

Canula (catheter introducer) (Cotton-Boothby)

_ number. _ l

Case, brain, plastic and oral do l

Catheters, cylindrical, 18 Fr. (Poerge's) do 12

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

499

Forceps:

Bone, Rongeur (I)eYilhiss) number.. 2

Artery —

I lalstead, straight N'o

Mosquito No.

Kelly, large size No. ' 5<

Army No.

Lead plate, No. 19, gauge 12 by 12 inches_numher_ _

Saws (OigliJ, 20 inches do... 12

Screws, oral do 4

Trephines (Hudson), set of 3 set.. 1

Wax, bone (3 tubes to container) containers., 12

GENITOURINARY
Catheters:
Urethral—
Plain-
No- 5 - number— 4

No. 6 do__-_ 4

X-ray No. 6 do..._ 4

Conical end No. 6 do 4

Urethral, Nos. 14, l©, in, and 29 (2each)__do x

Nelaton, rubber, Nos, 14, Hi, is, 22, and 26

(2 each) ..number.. 10

Coupler or adapter __ do j

Cystoscope (Brown-Buerger) do 1

Urethroscope (Young) do ^

Rheostat (E, S. I. or Wappler lamp-socket type)

--- number.. l

Syringes, urethral, glass, ^-ounee... do 10

Phenolsulphonephthalein, ampoules.. dozen.. 3

EYE

Apparatus, suction ...number.. l

Balls, glass, lead free (IS, 20, 22mm.), 12each_do 30

Bottles, solution ._ do 2

Case:

Eye, auxiliary do 1

Treatment do 1

Corneal, loupes (Berger) do 1

Flashlights, pocket, with extra batteries do 2

Irrigators (New York eye and ear pattern).. _do 3

Lamps, projection, no volts direct current__.do 1

Lenses, condensing, 110 volts direct currents. do 2

Magnets (Lancaster mode!), 110 volts direct current

number. _ 2

Opthaltnoscope and retinoscope, electric, with box

(DeZeng) number.. l

Perimeter, hand (Sehweigger), with l2charts_do l

Racks, instrument do 1

Syringes, ear, soft rubber do 12

Tonometer do 1

Undines. do 12

Worsteds, colored (Holgrem's stick) do 1

EAR, NOSE, AND THKOAT

Antrum trocar number. . I

Aneurism needle do l

Atomizers, Mueller set.. 1

Bronchoscope- battery, Jackson number.- l

Catgut:

Pyoktannin, plain, No. 00, 14-inch tubes . 21

Tanned or chromicized—

No. 0, 14-inch do 24

No. 1, 14-inch do 24

No. 2, 14-inch do 24

No. 3, 14-inch do 30

Chairs, operating room number.. 4

Coffin suction apparatus, Mueller, 110 volts direct

currents __ number.. l

Condensers. Coakley, 110 volts direct current
_ number 2

Dezeng's outfit, consisting of:

Jumbo handle battery number..

Laryngoscope and transilluminator, electric, 2
lamps. 2 interchangeable mirrors. ..number

Lamps, extra do

Otoscope, electric, 3 specula, head, compression

bulb, 2 lamps ...number..

j. Speculum, nasal do

Tongue depressors, electric, 2 lamps do

Dissector, blunt do

Forceps:

Angular do

Artery .do

$] 2 inches _ ...do

Laryngeal do

Tissue—

10-inch do

2 teeth, 4?4-inch do

Tongue, 5H-inch do

Yulsellum do

Grooved director, 5'2-inch do

Out, silkworm:

FineB_. ..bundles..

Fine C do....

Headlight (0 extra lamps), 110 volts, direct current

number..

Inslrument sterilizers, Mueller, 110 volts, direct

current number..

Knife, fistula, Koch, fi-inch do

Knives, Mueller do

Mallet .do....

Mastoid Rongeur do

Mirrors:

Laryngeal do

Postnasal do

Needle holder _ do

Needles:

Hagedorn, straight, No. 9 dozen . .

Trocar point, Mayo do

Nippeis, wire, 5-inch _. .number. .

Nitrous oxide, cylinder "E" do

Oxygen, cylinder "E" . - do

Politzer bag, S-ounce, with valve. do

Probes, copper do

Rack, instrument, Mayo -do

Retractors:

Mastoid, Jansen .. .-- - do

Solid blade, 2-inch set .set..

Scissors, heavy, fi-inch number..

Silk, braided:

No. 8, 25 yards spool..

No. 12, 25 yards ...do

Specula:

Aural, 3-inch set --.set..

Nasal number..

Speculum, laryngeal, Jackson do

Sponge holders ..do

Inhaler, gas-ether do

Tanklcss air compressor and suction apparatus,

Mueller, 110 volts, direct current number..

Tracheal dilator, Koch do

Transilluminator, Jackson-Freer. 110 volts, direct

current number..

Trocar do

Tuning fork do

ORTHOPEDIC

Bone extension apparatus (Steinmann).. .number .
Bone set (Albee) do

500

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Clamps for hone plating:

Large (Lowman) number.. I

Small (Lowman) _ do 1

Felt, elastic, H inch thick yards., 10

Forceps, screw-holding (Lane) number., I

Knives, plaster do 6

Plates, hone (Sherman) Nos. l, 3, 4, <;, 7, <> (2 each)

number __ 12

Screws, hone, assorted (Sherman, dozen.. 3

Screw driver:

Lane - do 1

Sherman-Pierce do 1

SPLINTS

Arm:

Abduction number., 10

Extension . do 25

Bradford frame do 10

Bradford abduction frame. do 1

Balkan frame, standard, knockdown . do 25

Combined ankle and lower leg do p >0

Elbow do.-.. 30

Foot, rectangular do 50

Hand, hyperextension. do 50

Jlodgen's new pattern (25 e^ch) number..

Humerus, extension do

Knee, Thomas, with toe drop and spanner attach-
ments (2„ r > each) do

Simple straight 25 each do

Wire gauze, 15 by 30 inches dozen..

Wood -_- ._ -- rolls__

Wood, yucca dozen __

MISCELLANEOUS

Back rests number..

Boiler, collee, 40-gallon, aluminum or returned cop-
per, with faucet, strainer, wire ring inside for
French drip, and metal tray to protect bottom of

boiler _ .number..

Sheer, bread and meat, sterling, No. 70 do

Tables:

Baker's and cook's, 3 by 8 feet by 2 feet 6

inches high, knockdown number..

Kitchen—

4 by in feet by 2 reel (i inches high, knock-
down number. .

3 by feet by 2 feet inches high, knock-
down number__

X-Ray Aff'akatus fob Base Hospital- , r ;00 to 1,000 Beds

Apparatus, X-ray, interrupterless type, to operate

on type of current stated in contract., number. _ 1

Apron:

Lead, protracting, with leather straps. __do 2

Waterproof, ">0 inches long do 1

Box:

For localizing apparatus do 1

To contain the following:

Parallel wire device for Strohl's method

number 1

Blaine's parallax localizer do 1

Localizing scale for cross-thread method

number. _ 1

Profondometer localizer do 1

Hirtz compass do l

Fluoroscopic adapter for Hirtz compass

number.. 1

Sutton localizing set do 1

Lined with A-inch sheet lead, water-tight, to be
connected with sewer; inside measurements,
42 inches long, 22 inches wide, 10 inches deep.
This box to hold tanks for developing, etc.

(to he constructed locally) number.. 1

Lined with J^-inch sheet lead on all sides; 10
inches wide, 20 inches long, 18 inches deep,
made of 3 4 -inch lumber, with hinged lid; for
protection of X-ray plates (to be constructed

locally) number.. 1

Wooden, 12 inches long, 12 inches wide, 3 inches

deep (to he constructed locally) number., 3

Bonnet, fluoroscopic (to be purchased in

France) number.. 2

Brush, camel's hair, 3 inches do 1

Carriers, plate, Core;

10 by 12 inch size, monel metal dozen.. l

14 by 17 inch size, monel metal do » 2

Carriers, film (case) Eastman:

For development, 10 by 12 inches do i

For development, 8 by 10 inches. . do l

For development, 14 by 17 inches do i 2

Charts, eye localizing, Kelley-Koett number.. 200

Chemicals:

Barium sulphate, for X-ray diagnosis.. pounds.. 50
Chrome alum do 5

Chemicals— Continued.

Formaldehyde pounds. .

Hydroquinone do

Metol, or equivalent do

Potassium bromide do

Sodium carbonate, dry do

Sodium hyposulphite do

Sodium sulphite, dry ... ..do

Crocks, earthenware, 5-gallon do

Films:

Dental-
Holders for development, Eastman. .do

V/2 by 2' 2 inches (No. 1A) gross..

1H by \V% inches (No. 1) do

X-ray—

14 by 17 inches dozen..

10 by 12 inches do

8 by 10 inches do

Film holders (case type), Eastman, 10 by 12 inches
to accommodate 10 by 12 and 8 by 10 films between

2 screens dozen..

Funnels, enamel ware, 6-inch number..

Glass cutter do

Olass, lead, T \ inch thick, 8 by 10 inches pieces..

Gloves, opaque, protective, gauntlet pair-;..

(Joggles, antomobile type, fitted with red and green
superimposed clear polished celluloid, Arlington
Pyralin, colors 24 and 181, 0.01 inch thick, finish

II. H pairs. _

Insulators, 4-arm, for high-tension wires., .number..
Insulators, wall, for carrying high-tension wires

through partitions number..

Lead foil, medium thickness pounds

Light, incandescent, blue, with pull switches

number..

Lead, in sheets, 4 pounds to square foot square foot ..

Localizer, eye, Kelley-Koett number. _

Marker, skin (to be purchased in France). ..do

Pitchers, enamel ware, 2-quart do

Preservers, negative:

For 14 by 17 plates _ do

For 10 by 12 plates do

For 8 by 10 plates do

For 5 by 7 plates do. ..

50

40

50
100
4
12
4

5
5

M
l

100
15
2

in
1
1

10
10

2
2

3

Hi

2

100

1
1
2

100

20O
400
100

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

501

Paper, tracing:

14 by 17 inches ._ . ..sheets—

10 by 12 inches do

Plate rack, folding, for 12 plates number-.

Pencils, grease, Blaisdell, red and blue, of each

number-.

Plate changer, stereoscopic, for 14 by 17 plates.

Kelley-Koett number.

Plates, X-ray:

14 by 17 inches ._ dozen..

to by 12 inches do

8 by 10 inches do

5 by 7 inches .do

Rack, tube, 5-inch, holes, wooden (to be made by

carpenter) number .

Ruler, wood (IS inches) with metric system, having
2 metal buttons, 3 mm. in diameter, the centers of

which are exactly 10 cm. aparl number. _

Reels, trolley:

Plain . .number .

Double Coolidge do

Roentgenoscopc. vertical, arranged for Coolidge tube:
box protected by sheet lead l g inch thick on front
and sides, furnished with good grade fluoroscopic
screen, 11 by 14 inches, mounted in screen holder
with protected handles and covered with lead glass

at least T V inch thick number. _

Rotary converter, 7}^ kilowatt capacity, complete
with starting box and switches, capable of contin-
uous operation at 7H kilowatts and of sustaining
an overload of 150 per cent for 10 seconds, and to
deliver a satisfactory alternating current to the
X-ray machine from a direct current source (to
he furnished only where direct current is the
sole source of supply) number _

Safe light, dark room, YV ratten

Sandbags, 3 by 4 by 8 inches, empty...
Screens, intensifying, mounted in
detachable:

Size 14 by 17 inches. .

Size 10 by 12 inches.

Size 8 by 10 inches

....do....
____do._._
casset tes,

.number. _

_.do..__

__..do..._

Screens, intensifying, without cassettes, furnished
in cardboard folder:

Size 14 by 17 inches. do

Size 10 by 12 inches do

Screens, intensifying, without cassettes, furnished
in cardboard folder— Continued.

Size 8 by 10 inches .. number..

Size 5 by 7 inches _. do

Stand:

Tube, Kelley-Koett type, with two cones 5 and

7 inches.. number__

Insulating, for Coolidge tube transformer

number. _

Stereoscope, YVhcatstone, furnished with four 100-
watt nitrogon lamps permit ling of gradual regu-
lation _- number. .

Switch:

Foot, So devised that the room may be in total
darkness without either X ray or electric light,
or with X ray on and no electric light, or with
lights on mid no X ray (Kelley-Koett)

__ _ _ ...number .

High tension

Double throw, Coolidge equipped do

single (brow. Coolidge equipped table, base
hospital type. . number..

Tank, porcelain:

I'o by 14 3 i by 20 inches do

U% by 14 5 4 by 20 inches.- do

Thermometer, bath do —

Time switch, Wappler or equivalent do

Trays: enamel ware:

For 14 by 17 plates do

For 10 by 12 plates ... do

Tools, set, consisting of hammer, saw, case opener,
large and small screw driver, and heavy cutting

pliers sets..

Transformer, Coolidge tube, insulated against break-
down test of 50,000 volts... .. .._.._. ..number .

Tubes:

Coolidge—

Medium focus. ._ __ .do

Special radiator type do

Tungsten, target, 7-inch.. ... do

Tunnel, plate changing, aluminum, 17 by 17 inches

with one plate draw number

Turnbuckles - do

Wedge, wooden, 12 by 3 inches, angle 23° do

Wire, copper, spool of 12 yards in length. No. 10

spools.. number

Wires, bronze, for trolley system No. 10 feet..

Initial Allowance fob a Base Hospital (Overseas 1 Laboratory Supplies

Item

No.

1.

2.
3.

4.

15.
20.
21.
25.
30.
35.
in

To.

too,

Acetylene, cylinder number..

Accessories for above acetylene cylinder:

Band do...

Double control valve do —

Union . do

Rubber tubing ... feet.

Aluminometer. Esbach . number..

A n i m al cages do _ _ _

Iron supports __do._.

A [irons, laboratory . - . _do.._

Asbestos boards do..

Asbestos mats. ilo...

Autoclave, for oil heating do_

Balance:

Laboratory set_

Weights do__

Harvard trip do—

Weights do...

Solution scale do...

Baskets number.

Item
No.

105.
1G6.

107.
His.
109.

110.

1
I

155.
160.

1

Kir..

1

IS).

1

190.

24

]<J5.

Beakers, spout:

100-c. c number

250-c. o — — do...

400-c. c do...

600-c. c .. do— .

HOO-c. c do...

1,000-c. e— .do— -

120. Bell glass .do— .

Blocks, of rod fiber:
125. % by H by % inches. do.

128. 1 by 1 by s i inches ..... ..... do.

145. Bone saw .ilo...

150. Bottle, balsam... -do..

Bottles:

For specimens do.

Do do...

Green glass -. do...

1,000-C. e. capacity do..

30-c. c. capicity— do..

x-ounee capacity. .do.. .

3
2
2

1

12

1

1

150

6
2
2
4

12

12
1
2

PHI

50

5
6

24
12

502

FINANCE AND St'PFLY

Item
No.

Bottles— Continued.

225. Reagent _ set. 1

230. WollI _._ number.. 2

235. Brush, camel's-hair, flat do 1

Brushes:

240. Oamel's-hair pencil do 12

245. Test tubes do... 24

250. Flask do.... 6

255. Burette do

200. Burettes do 2

Burners:

275. Acetylene do 3

280. Acetylene (stove) do 1

Alcohol —

286. Lamp do 4

280. Stove do... 2

330. Gasoline do 2

335. Kerosene do 4

350. Calcium chloride tubes do 4

360. Carborundum stone do I

365. Casseroles.- do 4

Centrifuge:

370. Hand do.... 1

380. Water do.... 1

Tubes-

475. Ungraduated do 144

480. Graduated do fl

Clamps:

500. Bunsen do

505. Universal do 6

510. Clamp holders do 6

515. Adjustable do 6

Clamps:

52o. Adjustable . .do 6

525. For test tubes do 2

530. llollman do 4

535. Mohr's pinchcock do.... 12

545. Colorimeter, Dunning . do.. . 1

Condensers:

555. Liebig. do 2

560. Allihn do 2

( 'orks:
565. No. 2, ,\ inch diameter at small end

gross . 1

No. 3, S inch diameter at small end. .do l

No. 4, , T B inch diameter at small end.. do 1

No. 5, I 2 inch diameter at small end. .do 2

No.6, r B ft inch diameterat smalIend__do 2

No. 7, ? 8 inch diameter at small end., do l

No. 8, $1 inch diameter at small end.. do 2

No. 10,5^ Inch diameter at small end. do 2

No. 11, {i inch diameter at small end. do 1

No. 12, 7 8 inch diameter at small end. do 1

No. 13,{^ inch diameter at small end. do 1

No. 14,1 inch diameter at small end. do 1

No. 15, V, inches diameter at small end

...gross.. 1

No. 16, 11; inches diameter at small end

gross . 1

No. 17. I,', inches diameter at small end

gross.. 1

No. is, Vi inches diameter at small end

gross.. 1

No. 20, l :l , inches diameter at small end

gross.. 1

No. 16. I,', inches diameter at small end

gross.. 1

566.
567.
568.
569.
570.
571.
572.
573.
574.

578.
570.
580.
581.
690.

Item
No.

600.

615,
618.
620.

650.
651.
652.
653.
654.
660.
665.
670.

680.
681.
682.

690.
695.

71 11 1

780.
781.
782.
783.
784.
785.

795.
796.

800.

801.

815.
816.
817.
818.
819.
820.

830.
831.

800
861

Corks— Continued.

No. 20, 1 T 7 8 inches diameter at small end

. gross.. 1

Borers set 1

Counting apparatus number . 1

Counting chamber do 1

Cover glasses .boxes.. 6

Crucibles, coors U.S. A number.. 6

Cylinders:

25 c. c. capacity do 6

100 c. c. capacity do 8

250 c. c. capacity do 4

500 c. c. capacity do 4

1,000 c.c. capacity do 2

Mixing bottle do 2

Desiccators do 2

Desiccator plates do 2

Dishes:

70 mm. diameter do 6

100 mm. diameter do 6

215 mm do 2

Petri, 100 by 15 mm ...gross.. 10

Culture, 150 by 15 mm number.. 72

Slender, 30 mm. high by 50 mm. diameter

._ number.. 4

Stender, 90 mm. high by 60 mm. diameter

number.. 2

Distilling apparatus do 1

Emery paper. sheets.. 12

Files:

Triangular, 8 inches long. number.. 6

Round, 6 inches long do 2

Filter apparatus do 1

Filter, bougie, 5 inches long by 1 inch diam-
eter number.. 6

Glass cylinder. SU by 2)2 inches do 6

Filter pump. do 1

F'ilter pump coupling do 1

Flasks, Erlenmeyer:

50 c. c. capacity do 12

150 c. c. capacity do 12

250 0. c. capacity do 24

500 c.c. capacity do 24

1,000 c. c. capacity do 24

2,000 e. c. capacity do 12

Flasks, filtering:

5(H) c. c. capacity ..do 2

1,000 c. c. capacity do 2

Flasks:

300 c. c. capacity do 2

1.000 c. c. capacity do 2

Volumetric —

10 c. c. capacity... do 2

25 c. c. capacity do 2

100 c. c. capacity do 6

250 c. c. capacity do 4

500 c. c. capacity do a

1,000 c. c. capacity do 2

Distillation —

500 c. e. capacity do 2

I. (MX) c. c. capacity do 2

Forceps:

Cover glass do 2

Heavy ,jo 2

Mediumfmo ( i 2

Fine dissecting _. do_.. 2

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

503

Item
No.

867.
870.

880.
885.

905.

906.
907.

101)0.
1001.
1020.
1025.
1035.

1061.

1070.
1075.
1105.

1110.
1115.

1120.
1125,
1130.
1155.
1165.
1 175
1180
1215.
1216.
1217.
1235.
1236.
1237.
1244.

1245.
1246,
1247.
1248,
1300.

1335.
1306.
1307.
1310.
1320.
1325,
1310.

1345.
1350,
1351.
13 r .2,
1353.
1354.
1360.
1305.

Funnels:

50 mm. diameter number..

65 mm. diameter do

00 mm. diameter do

Funnel support do,. ..

Funnel, separatory:

Cylindrical do

Squibb .. do

Gas generator do

Rubber rings _. .do

Glass beads pound..

Glass rods:

4 mm. diameter pounds..

6 mm. diameter do

8 mm. diameter do

Glass tubing:

6 mm. diameter do

H) mm. diameter do

Goggles number.-

Hemoglobinomcters .. ...do

Hemacytometer do

Extra white corpuscle pipettes and cover slips,

of each .number . .

No. 48360 incubator thermometer do

Jars:

Lightning .. do

Copl in staining ..do

Knife, brain do

Labels:

M icro book..

Dennisim do

Do boxes..

Lead shot .. . pounds__

M agnifier _ _ .number. _

Microscopes, Bausch & Lomh. ..do

Mechanical stages, Bausch & Lomb_ do

Dark ground illuminator do

Funnel stop do

Microtome do

M icrot nine knife do

Microtome knife handle do

Microtome, clinical do

Microtome knife do

Microtome freezing attachment do

Cylinder containing 25 pounds of COa under

high pressure number..

Microtome knife hone_ do

Block strop do

Fine do

Dressing for above strops __box..

M ort ar, iron n umber. .

Mortars, porcelain:

65 mm. diameter do

110 mm. diameter do

175 mm. diameter do

Mortar, Wedge wood do

Needle holder.. do

Oil stone do

Oven, copper. do

Paper:

Filter, "Alpha" brand sheets..

100 mm. diameter ..package _

125 mm. diameter do

180 mm. diameter do

200 mm. diameter do

250 mm. diameter do

4h;> by 4K0 mm ..sheets..

Filter, Whatmen No. 42 package..

Item
No.

Paper— Continued.

1380. 125 mm. diameter box.. I

1385. Lens, Japanese package_. 2

Pencils, wax:

1305. Red number.. 12

1390. Blue do.... 12

Pipettes:

1405. 1 c. c. in one-hundredths do 100

1406. 10c. c. in one-tenths do 20

itio. 2 c. c. capacity-- do — 10

1412. 5 c. c. capacity-.. -do 10

1413. 10 c. c. capacity... do 10

1411. 20 c. c. capacity do... 10

1415. 25 c. c. capacity do 2

1416. 50 c. c. capacity -do 2

1417. 100c. c. capacity ...do 2

1420. 0.5 c. c. capacity.- do 50

1421. 1 c.c. capacity ..do.... 100

1425. Pipette box do 2

1430. Pliers do 1

1445. Pyrene fire extinguisher do 2

Rings:

1 150. 2 7 8 inches outside diameter __do 6

1451. '&% inches outside diameter do 6

1452. 4 7 M inches outside diameter do 6

Rubber bulbs:

1465 3 c. c. capacity do 24

1466. 5 c. c. capacity do 24

1470. 1*2 inches diameter by 3.H inches long

.number.. 12

1471. l 7 s inches diameter by 4 inches long

__ number..

1475. Rubber gloves do 12

Rubber stoppers:
Solid—

14*0. No. 00, 10mm. diameter .do 12

1481. No. 0, 12 mm. diameter do 12

1482. No. 1, 15 mm. diameter do 12

1483. No. 2, 15 mm. diameter do 12

14S4. No. 4, 20 mm. diameter ..-do 24

1485. No. 5, 23 mm. diameter do 12

1486. No. 6, 26 mm. diameter ...do 24

1487. No. 7,30 mm. diameter do 12

1488. No. 8, 33 mm. diameter.. .do 12

1489. No. 9, 36 mm. diameter ...do 12

1490. No. 10, 42 mm. diameter do 12

One-hole —

1500. N'o.O, 12 mm. diameter ..do 6

1501. No. 1, 15 mm. diameter do 6

1502. No. 2, 15 mm. diameter. ..do — 6

1503. No. 4, 20 mm. diameter do Q

1504. No. 5, 23 mm. diameter do 6

1505. No. 6, 26 mm. diameter.. _ do 12

1506. No, 7, 30 mm. diameter po 6

1507. No. 8, 33 mm. diameter ...do 6

1508. No. 9,36 mm. diameter ...do 12

Two-hole—

1520. No. 5, 23 mm. diameter do 6

1521. No. 6, 26 mm. diameter do 6

1522. No. 7, 30 mm. diameter do 6

1529. Rubber tubing annex feet.. 6

Rubber tubing:

1530. K-inch bore by > s -inch wall do 24

1535. 5-mm. bore by l 3 4 -mm. wall do 24

1540. K-inch bore by .Vinch wall. ..do 24

1545. Winch tj ° re h >" Winch wall do 12

1555. Inside diameter l' s inches with outside

diameter 1' 2 inches feet.. 12

504

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Item

No.
1560.
1565.

1570.
1571.
1574.
1575.
1576.
1585.
1590.
1595.
1600.

1615.
1616.

lr.37.

1650.

1680.
1681,
1690.
1601.

1695.
1693.
1697.
1698.

1705.
1706.
1707.
1708.
1709.
1710.
1711.
1712.
1725.
1730.
1735.

Rule, steel number..

Saccharometer ...do

Scalpels:

25 mm. length of blade... do...

45 mm do. ._

Scissors.-. ..do...

Screw driver set.

Section lifter number.

Shears, laboratory do...

Slides, micro, 3 by 1 inches gross.

Uo number.

Slide boxes do...

Specific gravity bottle, Oay-Lussac:

10 c. c. capacity. do..

25 c. c. capacity do...

Sterilizer:

For kerosene do—

Arnold steam. ... do...

Stopcocks:

Brass do...

• Slass-

1 mm. bore do— -

3 mm. bore do...

Supports for burettes do...

Do ...do...

.Syringes:

1 c. c. in one-hundredths ...do

2 c. c. in one-tenths do

10 c. c. in one-fifths do

20 c. c. in 1 c. c do

Syringe needles:

5 s inch long, 25 gauge do...

1 inch long, 22 gauge do...

I 1 2 inches long, 20 gauge. do...

2 inches long, 20 gauge do . .

2 inches long, 18 gauge do...

2' 2 inches long, 18 gauge do

3 inches long, 18 gauge do

3 inches long, 16 gauge do.. .

Tape measure do

Tenaculum ... do...

Test glasses dO—

Test tubes:

Thin wall—

75 by 11 mm do

Item
No.

1746.
1717

1750.
1751
1770
1785

1790.
1791
1792
1795
1810.
1816

3

1825

3

6

1845

6

1850

1855

4

1865

12

1870

12

3

1875

12
12
12
12

?4

1876
1877
1885
1900
1910

12

12
12
1

1920
1921

1

1922

21

1923

1925

00

1926

Test tubes — Continued.
Thin wall— Continued.

150 by 10 mm ..number..

Heavy wall—

1.50 by 10 mm do

210 by 27 mm do

Medium thick wall—

75 by 10 mm do

100 by 12 mm do

Test tube support do

Wassermann rack do

Thermometers, chemical:

0° to 100° C. in 1° do

0° to 200° C. in 1° do

0° to 360° C. in 1° do

Thermometers, incubator do

Tongs.. do

Triangles, 2 ' ^-inches length of each side _ do

Try pod:

Outside diameter of ring, 5 inches; 9 inches

high number. _

Outside diameter of ring, y inches; 9 inches

high uum ber _ _

Treometer, Doremus-Hinds do

Urinometer, Squibb. do

Vials gross..

Wash bottle .number _

W assermann bath do

Watch glasses:

30 mm. diameter do

65 mm. diameter do

100 mm. diameter do

Water hath do

Water bath, of copper do

Weighing bottles do

Wire:

Copper—

10-gauge do

18-gauge do

20-gauge do

22-gauge do

Nichrome —

24-gauge feet..

20-gauge do

3,000
24

500

1,000

12

25

2
1
1
2
1
2

Reagents, Microscopic Stains, Cultukk and Embedding Media

Acetone, Merck blue label, in l-pound cork stopper

bottle. number..

Acid:

Acetic, Merck blue label, 99.5 per cent, in 1-
pound glass stopper bottle number..

Butyric, Merck white label, technical, abso-
lute, in i -ounce glass stopper bottle.. number..

Citric, Merck blue label, in ^'-pound cork
stopper bottle ... ._ . number..

Hydrochloric, Baker analyzed, chemically pure,
specific gravity 1.19, in I -pound and 6-pound
glass stopper bottle number..

Lactic, Merck while label, V . S, P., specific
gravity 1.21 at 15° C, in 1-ounce cork stopper
bottle ._ number..

Nitric, Maker analyzed, chemically pure, speci-
fic gravity 1.12, in 1 and 7 pound glass
stopper bottle number..

Oxalic, Merck blue label, in Ij-poun 1 cork
stopper bottle .. ..number..

Picric, Merck white label (20 per cent water),
moist, in 4-ounce cork stopper bottle. num ber.

Acid— Continued.

1'yrogallic (pyrogallolj, Merck blue label, in

1-ounce cork stopper bottle number..

Sulphuric, Baker analyzed, chemically pure,
specific gravity 1.84, in 1 and 9 pound glass

stopper bottle number __

Tannic, Merck blue label, in 1-ounce cork

stopper bottle number...

Uric, special purity for standard, in 1-gm. vials

number..

Agar-agar, prime white in shreds for culture media,

in 1-pound cartons number..

Albumin, from blood, in l pound cartons. pound..
Alcohol:

Ethyl, 99 per cent absolute, in 1-pound cork

stopper bottle number..

Methyl, acetone free, Merck white label, in

1-pound cork stopper bottle number..

Alizarine sodium nionosulphonate, in 1-ounce cork

stopper bottle.. number..

Ammonium aluminum sulphate (alum) Baker ana-
lyzed, chemically pure, in 1 -pound cone stopper
bottle number..

20
1

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

505

Ammonium carbonate, Merck blue label, '-(-pound

glass stopper bottle number..

Ammonium chloride, Merck blue label, in J^-pound

cork stopper bottle number..

Ammonium hydroxide, Baker analyzed, chemically

pure, specific gravity 0.90, in 1 and 4 pound glass

stopper bottle ...number..

Ammonium molybdate, Merck blue label, in 1-ounce

cork stopper bottle number..

Ammonium Oxalate, Merck blue label, in J^-pound

cork stopper bottle number..

Ammonium sulphate, Merck blue label, in 1-pound

cork stopper bottle number..

Aniline oil, water-white, for microscopic use in 1-

OUnee amber cork stopper bottle number__

Antiformin, in 1-pound cork stopper bottle.. do

Arsenic trioxide, Merck blue label, in '-{-pound cork

stopper bottle number..

Asbestos, long fiber, washed in acid, for use in Gooch

crucibles, in 1-pound cartons number..

Bacto bile, Difco, in 1-pound cork stopper bottle

number. _

Balsam, Canada, in Zylol, must be made from hard

balsam, in 1-ounce cork stopper bnltle.. number..
Barium chloride, Merck blue label, in 1-pound cork

stopper bottle number. _

Barium hydroxide, Merck blue label, crystalline, in

M-pound cork stopper bottle number..

Beef extract, Liebig's, in J^-pound jars.. do

Benzidine, for blood test, in 1-ounce cork stopper

bottle number_.

Bismarck brown, in 10-gni. screw-cap vials.. _do

Brilliant green, in 10-gm. screw-cap vials do

bromine. U. S. P. in 1-ounce glass stopper bottle in

tin container number. _

Calcium chloride, granular, for drying, in 1-pound

cork stopper container number_.

Calcium hypochloride, Baker analyzed, chemically

pure (oxychloride), in l-pound tins number..

Cedar oil, for immersion objectives, in 1-ounce cork

stopper bottle number..

Cholosterin, Merck blue label, in 'jounce cork

stopper bottle number..

Congo red, in 10-gm. screw-cap vials, do

Copper oxide (black), Baker analyzed, chemically

pure, special (for haematoxylin solutions), in 1-

ounce cork stopper bottle number-.

Copper sulphate teuprie sulphate), Merck blue label,

crystals, in 1-pound cork stopper bottle-number..

Crystal violet, in 10-gm. screw-cupped vials. .do

Dextrin, white, in J^-pound cork stopper bottle

number..

Dextrose, Difco. anhydrous, in J^-pound cork

stopper bottle... ..number..

Dimethylaminoazobenzol, Merck white label, in 10-
gm. cork stopper bottle numher_.

Diphenylamine, Merck blue label, in 1-ounce cork

stopper bottle number..

Emery (lour, for grinding stopcocks, etc pound..

Eosin, water soluble, in 10-gm. screw-cap vials

_ number..

Fuchsia, basic, in 10-gm. screw-cap vials do

Fuchsin, acid, must be soluble in sodium hydrate

for andrade indicator, in 10-gm. screw-cap vials

_ number. .

Gelatin, Difco, for culture media, in.'i-pound car-
tons number..

Gentian violet, in 10-gm. screw-cap vials do

Gold chloride, Merck white label, in 15-grain

ampoules number.. l

Guaiac resin, in ^-pound cork stopper bottle. do !

Hematoxylin, in 10-gm. screw-cap vials do l

Inulin, Mulford, in 10-gm. cork stopper bottle. do 1

Lactose, Difco, powdered, free from dextrose, in I-
pound corkstopper bottle number__ 2

Litmus, powdered, Merck blue label, in li-pound
cork stopper bottle number.. 2

Litmus paper, Squibb's, in glass vials of 100 strips
each (red and blue), of each .number.. 10

Maltose, in '^-pnund cork stopper bottle do 1

Mannite, Merck white label in 1-pound cartons
_ ...number . 1

Methylene blue, in 10-gm. screw-cap vials., do fi

Neutral red, in 10-gm. screw-cap vials do l

Paraffin, hard, M. P. 52, in 1-pound cakes wrapped
in paper pounds.. 10

Peptone, Armour, in J-j-pound cork stopper bottle
number . 20

Phenolphthalein, Merck blue label, in 1-ounce cork
stopper bottle number 1

Phenolsulpbonepbthalein, Hynson, Wescott & Dun-
ning, dry, in 5-gm. vial number.. 1

Phensulphonephlbalein, for collimeter tests, am-
poules of 1.5 nig., 12 in box box.. 1

Potassium diehromate. Merck blue label, in 1-pound
cork stopper bottle. number..

Potassium ferrocyanide. Merck blue label, in im-
pound cork stopper bottle number..

Potassium ferricyanide, Merck blue label ^ -pound
cork stopper bottle number..

Potassium iodide, Merck blue label, in ',-pound
corkstopper bottle number..

Potassium permanganate, Merck blue label, in Im-
pound cork stopper bottle ...number. .

Potassium sulphocyanate, Merck blue label, in x >-
pound cork stopper bottle number

Pumice stone, lumps pound _ •■

Saccharose, Merck white label, highest purity, in
1 -pound cork stopper bottles ...number.. 1

Safranin, in 10-gm. screw-cap vials do 2

Sehorlach U., in 10-gm. screw-cap vials do 1

Sealing wax. in sticks... do 2

Soap, east ile pound.. ' 2

Sodium carbonate, commercial crystals, 1-pound
cork stopper bottle ...number.. 10

Sodium chloride. Merck blue label, in 1-pound
cork stopper bottle _. .number

Sodium citrate, Merck highest purity, crystals, in
1-pound cork stopper bottle number. 1

Sodium diehromate, commercial, for cleaning
mixture, in 1-pound cork stopper bottle. number.. 5

Sodium hydroxide. Merck blue label, purified,
sticks, in M-pound cork stopper bottle, .number s

Sodium nitrate, Merck blue label, in J^-pound cork
Stopper bottle number l

Sodium nitroprusside, Powers-Weightman-Rosen-
garten, in 1-ounce cork stopper bottle, number . l

Sodium potassium tartrate, crystals, Merck blue
label in 1-pound cork stopper bottle. ..number _ 2

Sodium sulphite, crystals. Merck blue label, in I-
pound cork stopper bottle number.. 2

Sudan III. in 10-gm. screw-cap vials do 1

Thionin. in 10-gm. screw-cap vials do 1

Toluidin blue, in 10-gm. screw-cap vials do 1

Toluene, Merck white label, in M-pourrd cork
stopper bottle number.. 2

506

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Tumeric paper, Mallinckrodt's, 100 strips in screw-
cap vial number.. 1

Urease, tablets, Squibb, 100 Vio-grain tablets in vial
number.. l

Wright's stain, powdered, in 2-gm. ampoules.do 12

Zinc metallic, Mosey, for gas generator, in 1-pound
cartons __ ..number.. 1

Xylol, water-white, crystallizable, in 1-pound cork
stopper bottle number.. 4

M.M.D. 912.

Case, Ear, Nose, and Throat, (c) Model of 1917
(In canvas roll, with metal case for delicate instruments. Outline of instruments stamped on roll and name of con-
tained instruments stamped in case)

Item No.

1713 Tags .number..

1721. Tanks do

1963. Catheters, Nale, German silver do

1993. Needles dozen..

1997. Racheotomy saw... ...number..

2010. Sponges, large, bath . pounds..

2020. Thread spool..

Cata-|

logue
No.

Adenatome, La Force.

Applicators, nasal:

Special

Rosworth's

Catheters, Eustachian, silver, 1, 2, and 3 (of
each, 1)-..

Chisels, mastoid, Schwartz's land 2 (1 of i

each) ;

Chisel, nasal, Freer's, submucous __

Curette:

Adenoid, BarahilFs, i, 3, and 4, (l of !

each) ___'

Mastoid, Buck's, l and 3 (1 each) |

Drill, antrum, Pope's (not in catalogue)

Elevator:

Dull-edged, Freer's, submucous

Sharp-edged, Freer's, submucous

Forceps:

Ear, angular, Wilde's

Nasal, angular. Knight's, screw lock...

Esophageal, spiral

Septum-
Compression Asch's

Jansen-.M iddleton, modified

Tonsil-siezing __.

Gag, mouth (Denhart's)

Gouge, mastoid, Schwartz's, 1 and 2, (i of

each)

Headband, metal folding

Head mirror, 3 1 l! -inch, with ^-ineh open-
ing

513
514

507
505

515
506

501
502

535
526
522

525
523
517
311

508

539

Quan-
tity

Knife:

Paracentesis, small, light, flexible shank.
Submucous, Freer's —

Flat, rounded blade

Half round straight

Swivel, Ballenger's, small size

Knives, turbinated, Ballenger's (l each,

right and left)

Mirrors, laryngeal, boilable, 1 and 3 (1 each).
Otoscope, Seigel's, pneumatic, metal, with

3 specula

Scissors, nasal. Knight's screw lock "I.

Separator, tonsil, special model _.

Snare, tonsil, Brown's, I plain and l ring tip

Specula, ear. Brown's, metal (set of 3)

Speculum, nasal:

Bivalve (Bosworth's), tempered steel..
Septal (Goldstein's), tempered steel
Syringe:

Ear, with metal shield, Pomrov's,

2-ounee _.__'

Tonsil, with extension, metal, with 3
finger rings and 2 needles, gold points,

1 curved and 1 stra ght

Tongue depressor, Bosworth's, steel plate...

Trachea tubes, regular, Chevalier-Jackson,

Full curve, German silver, silver plated,

sizes, 2, 3. 4, 5, and (i (1 each)

Tube, diagnostic, Toynbee's (White and

Black tips) __

Wire, for snares, sizes, 3, 5, and 7 (2 each).'

Cata- r.
logue %"?'

Nu. '">

533

503
504
510

509
537

532

527
516
520
529

512

511

52S

519
541

534
521

-Catalogue numbers taken from "List of Staple Surgical and Medical Supplies, Council of Nation?!

Note. -
Defense."

M. M. D. 913.

Case, emergency
(In aluminum, brass, or leather case, with detachable sling)
Tablets, in jounce h. r. bottles:

Aceiphenetidinum (phenacetin) mgms. 324

Aspirin do 324

Hismuthi sudnitras.. do 324

Caffeine citrata do G5

Heroini hydrochloridum do 5.,

Ilydrargyri chlor. corros. (par. 902)

llydrargyri chlor mite mgms_. 32

Mistura glycyrrh. comp. (par. 902)

Morphias sulphas mgms.. 8

Piluhe aioini comp. (par. 902). _ __

Pilulae eamphone et opii (par. 902)

Pilulse cathart. comp _

Potassii bromidum mgms.. 324

Pulvis ipecac, et opii do 324

Quinina? sulphas... do 200

Sodii biearhonas do 321

Kodii bicarb, et menth. pip. (par. 9J2)

Sodii salicylas mgms.. 324

Tinetura digitalis c. c... 0.

Veronal mgms.. 324

NOTK.-For tropical use the contents of the emergency case, as listed above, are packed in a canvas roll each roll
containing in addition, a brass box for sutures and hypodermic tubes.

Tablets, hypodermic, extra (one tube of each):

Digitalinum mgms

Quininae hydrochlorosulphas a0 __

Instruments, etc.:

Bistouries, curveil and straight, of each, number-
Case, linen, for instruments (j __

Forceps, dissecting <jo

Forceps, hemostatic d

Needles, surgical, assorted do...

Plaster, isinglass, 5 by IS inches rolls .

Scalpel... number"

Scissors, straight _ ^ Q

Sutures, silk, sterilized, 3 sizes in package

- packages..

Suture, silver wire, sterilized, 1 yard do....

Syringe, hypodermic (par. 956) number."

Thermometer, clinical do

1
32

1
1
1
1
12
1
1
1

2
1

1
I

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

507

M. M. D. 914.

Case, Eye. (a) Model of 1911
(In mahogany case)

Curette, chalazion, Meyhoefer, medium ...

Cystotome, Graefe

Canaliculus, knife. Bowman, flexible shank

Forceps:

Advancement (Reese)

Cilia, plain _

Chalazion, Lambert's

Entropium Desmarre's

Fixation, with catch

Iris, angular, mouse toothed

Trachoma, Moyes, l up and 1 down...
Trachoma, Prince

Gouge, sharp pointed, V-shaped

Iris hook, sharp Tyrell's

Iris scissors, full curved _.

Knives, cataract, Graefe's, assorted sizes.. .

Irrigator, anterior chamber

Knives:

Scalpel type, medium size

Needle, Knapp'S medium size

Keratome, angular, Jaeger's, medium size ..

Lens:

Spoon, metal —

Grade's.

Daviel

Condensing, 2 inches broad, hard-rubber
ring __.

Cata-
logue
No.

Quan-
tity

561

l

562

l

569

2

581

1

5S3

1

582

I

584

1

585

2

586

2

587

2

588

1

56')

1

564

1

577

2

£67

3

603

1

568

3

566

3

565

3

573

1

574

1

Cata-
logue
No.

595

1

Lid plate, hard rubber, Jaeger's 596

Needle holding forceps, Stevens' 580

Lens, spoon, wire loupe _. 572

Needles: I 570

Pa race n t esis, '

Full curved, plain eye, cutting edge WO

Half curved, plain eve, cutting edge,

assorted, I 601

opthtalmoscopy (Loring's) I 597

i Probes, lachrymal, Theohold's, double- I 590

ended (set)

■ Ketinoseope . ' 599

| Retractors, 2 sizes ' 592

i Scissors:

Probe pointed, angular (Iris) 578

Enucleation, full curved, light 576

Strabismus, straight 579

Tenotomy, Stevens' 580

Spatula and probe, 1 handle, Knapp'S 593

| Spatula, double-ended, Fisher's 591

Speculum, Ziegler's 594

Sutures, assorted silk and catgut

Syringe, all metal, 3 needles (lachrymal) 598

| Repositor, iris, metal 571

Tenotomy hook, medium 575

Testing drum, hard rubber. _ 602

Quan-
tity

Note. —Catalogue numbers from "List of Staple Medical and Surgical Supplies, Council of National Defense.'

Case, Eye, Auxiliary

Cautery handle.-- .. ... ..number,.

Cautery tips (corneal set).... Set-
Dilator, lachrymal (canaliculus) ..nuniber,.

Forceps:

Fixation, without catch, silver, nonmagnetic

number..

Iris—

Curved do

Straight do

Capsule. ... do

Trachoma, Knapp do

Advancement, Prince do

Entropion (right and left angular), each-do

Lid elevator do

Keratomas, straight do

Knife:

Cataract, Graefe do

Beers ...do

Knife— Continued.

Scalpel type ..number

Needle, Hays-Ziegler do...

Needle holder do

Needles, eye, curved dozen _.

Scissors:

Straight sharp point number-
Straight dull point do...

Half curved - do—

Speculum, eye (Weeks), silver, nonmagnetic. do...

Spud, eye, protecting handle do...

Tenotomy hook:

Smith--.. do— -

Graefe do...

Trephine, Elliot do—

M. M. D. 915.

Case, forceps, hemostatic, (a) Model of 1911
(In canvas roll)

Catalogue QuanUty

Forceps:

Straight-
s' inches long, Kocher's, screw lock ...
Flat shank, Kelly-Hopkins, screw lock-
Jones's straight, 5-inch, screw lock.

Halstcad's army, 5'_-inch, screw lock

130

118

lie

117

Note. Catalogue numbers taken from "List of Staple Medical and Surgical Supplies, Council of National
Defense."

508

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

M. M. D. 916.

Case, general operating
(In canvas roll with two metal boxes as containers

(a) Mailel of 1917

Outline of instruments stamped on canvas and names written in
metal box)

Buttons, Murphy intestinal anastanosis, l,
2,3.

Catheter, brass, nickeled, Van Buren curve
16F

Curette, bone. Whiting, 4

Director, grooved, 3-inch 1 1_"

Drill, bone, 1 detachable metal handle with

square socket, 3 points

Ear hook and spoon, Gross's (not catalogued)
Elevator, periosteum iSayre) double-ended

Eye spud, Dix (not catalogued)

Forceps:

Bone cutting, flat blade, curved, Lis-

tou's, screw lock, 7.4-inch

Bone holding, Farabeuf's, French lock

Bullet, Senn's, 8-inch, screw lock

Intestinal, Doyen straight, 9-inch, screw

lock

Dressing —

Bosnian. 10-inch, screw lock,

straight, with catch

12-inch spring

54-ineh spring

Hemostatic —

Jones's straight, 5-inch, with screw-
lock

llalstead (Army pattern) straight,

5 l 2 -inch, screw look

Kocher, straight, 5.4 inches long,

screw lock

Pean, straight , 84-inch, screw lock

Mouse tooth, 54-inch, tissue

Ronguer bone—

Curved, screw lock (Bane's)

Horseley's, screw lock, Baltimore

patt ern

Sequestrum, screw lock

Tissue spring, mouse tooth, 5',-inch

Gag, mouth (Denhart)._ '.

Gouge, bone, square-handled, 10-mm

Knife, amputating, Catlin, 64-ineh blade.
Mallet, hardwood, with metal rings; diam-
eter of head, 14 inches,

Knife:

Minor operating —

l',-inch blade

2-inch blade. ._

Plaster wooden handle, riveted

Needle, aneurism (not catalogued)

DesChamps right blunt point. .
Needle holder, llegar, 74-inch, screw lock..

Cata-
logue
No.

215
188
158

190

Quan-
tity

173

181

135

128.
121) |
130

116
117

120
122

175
177
131
311
181
106

102
103

107

151
133

Needles:

Surgeons, regular plain eve, sizes 14, 10,

2, 6 (2each)

Abdominal-
Taper point half circle, sizes 4 and

0(3 each)

Straight, sizes, 5 and 7 (4 each)

Intestinal —

Taper point straight, size 4

Half circle _.

Case for, not catalogued

Osteotome, square handle, size 12 mm., of

each

Periosteotome, blunt dissector (Kocher)

Pins, W'yeth's, 12-inch

Probes, single, with eye, plated:

5 inches long

8 inches long

Razor, metal-handled, medium size

Retractor, Army type, 2 sizes, 9 anil 10

inches (1 each)

Retractors, flexible copper, silver plated, 13
inches long:

l 1 j inches wide

2 inches wide _..__..

Saw:

Amputating, Satterlee's

Gigli's, 12, 20, and 30 inches (2 each)

Handle for

Scissors:

Bandage, angular, 7!4-inch, screw loek_
Mayo, dissecting, curved, screw lock,

5! o-inch

Heavy blunt, 64-ineh

Straight —

Double blunt, SU-inch, screw- lock..
One point, sharp, 5', -inch, screw

lock

Sutures:

Horsehair, 100 strands in coil _coils_.

Silk, assorted, 3 sizes in package

packages.

Syringes, aspirating (Dieulafov) (not cata-
logued)

Tongue depressor, wire, folding (not cata-
logued)

Trephine, Gait, $£-inch, crown of tool steel-.

Trocar, disk and plain canula, A-inch

Tube, trachea, German silver, silver plated,
Jackson, full curved, size 5

Cara-

logue
No.

141
143

1 1:

148

Quan-
tity

185
187
155

156
156
309

150. 1
150. 1

136
138
139

108
110

111!
Ill

170
157. 1

Note. --Catalogue numbers taken from " List of Staple Medical and Surgical Supplies, Council of National Defense '
Articles not showing catalogue number are same pattern furnished in past in general operating case. <='<■"»>•

M. M. D. 917

Case genitourinary, (a) Model of 1917

Bistoury, straight, probe pointed

Bougies, abouie, brass iiickled, I each, Nos. 8, 10, 12 11, pi" "is", 20, 22 24~and~26 ~F
Catheter:

Double-current, silver, male.

Grooved and tunneled, with stylet, Gouley's, size 14F 111

Posterior, urethral, silver, to fit' standard Luer svringe .'.' .

Dilator. La Fort's taper point with filiform guide, Nos. 11. 13, 15, 18, 23,26 F, of each i

Director, silver (Arnott's)

Filiform gum linen, standard screw fitting for LaForTsounYls orMaissoneuve "urethrotome" arid

Filiform whalebone, straight, thin, delicate, No. tilll 1 1

Forceps: "" '"" "

Straight, urethral (Pitha)

Lithotomy, curved, screw lock, Lewkowitz

Catalogue
No.

ini
219

215. 1
214
229
216

158. 1

221
222

237.1
240

Quantity

1
10

1
1
1

6

12

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT
Case genitourinary, (a) Model <tf 1917- — Continued

509

Gorget, lithotomy (Tesie) - — -

Nozzle, for urethral irrigator - ■-

Sounds, steel, nickeled, < His's short beaked. N'os. 18. SO. 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 «•', or each, J. . .. - .

Sounds, tunneled (Goutey's), Nos.8, It F, of each, 1 - --

Syringe ( I.uer), standard, all glass, itlc. e. — - - — --

(frethratome { Maissoneuve), No. 8 F, 2 blades, anterior cutting site 1 with fillings for standard

filiform, extra tunneled tip for whalebone filiform --...

Ctricle needle to fit standard I.uer syringe . — — — . — ----- .---. — —

Catalogue QnJmmy

235

I

24B

1

218

7

217

2

300

I

228

!

230

1

Mote.— Catalogue numbers taken from "List, of Medical ami Surgical .Supplies, Council of National Defense."

M. M. D. 923.

Case, pocket
(In canvas roll, with metal holder for knives, etc.)

Bistoury:

Curved, sharp pointed number..

Straight do

Catheter, plated, male and female tips do

Caustic holder and exploring needle combined, do

Director, grooved, with myrtle leaf. do

Forceps:

Dissecting, mouse-tooth.. ._ - do

Hemostatic —

And needle . - do..-.

R - do

.Short... do

.Needle, aneurism. number.

Needles, surgical, assorted . — -do....

Probe, double, with silver tips do

.Scalpels . ...do —

Scissors, straight _ do

Sutures, silk, braided, sterilized, 3 sizes In package
— . packages..

I
12
1
2
1

Not*;.— In the older cases of this type, the Instruments are contained in a leather case, with buckskin cover.

M. M. D. 924.

Case, post-mortem
(In canvas ease, with nudsl box for knives, ete. Outline of instruments stamped on the canvas and names of contained

instruments in metal box)

Blowpipe . ... number...

Chain and hooks do

Costototne chisel .. do

Entcrotorne do

Forceps, dissecting __ ....do

Hammer, steel do

Knife:

Amputating—

Large — do

Small .- , do-...

Knife— Continued.

Amputating— Continued

Cartilage .number.

Needles - do...

Saw „ do...

Scalpeto, assorted _ .do...

.Scissors, straight- — - - -do —

Tenaculum . .- -do —

Notk. - In the older cases the above articles are contained in a wooden case.

U. M. D. 926.

Cose, trial lenses
(In mahogany or oak case)

Disks . . number. .

1 plain metal.

2 metal with stenopaic aperature.
2 metal with stenopaic slit.

1 with Maddux, rod,

1 with half-frosted disk.

2 blue glass, dark and light,
i red glass.

3 smoked glasses, different shades.
1 plain glass.

Genera lens measure. ...do

Lenses:

Cylindrical —

Concave.. . ...pairs

Convex—.-...— -.-. — . do-

Lenses— Continued.
Spherical —

Concave. — — pairs..

Convex „ -— -do

Mirror, plain, retinoseopic, lj£tortl number..

Prisms do

i pair each ot 1,2,3, t.

U pair each of 5, 6, ti, 1(1, 12, U, 20.

Tape measure, small, spring, t meter do

Trial frame, graduated:

Double cell ..do....

Triple eel), outer cell rotating, adjustable frame
and hooks number

35

35

1

15

Note.— The spherical and cylindrical looses are marked in troth English and dioptric systems on the case and in the
dioptric systems on the lenses.

510

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

M. M. D. 937.

Chest,
(In wooden chest with hand

Awl, scratch number. _

Awls, brad, assorted do

Bit:

Expansive, >i to 1H inch do

Screwdriver do

Bits, drill, assorted do

Brace, ratchet do

Brads and tacks, assorted, in tin box boxes. _

Chalk line, with reel and awl, complete. ..number. _
Chisel:

Cold, 1 2-inch do

.Socket firmer—

3 y-inch, with handle do

1 i-inch, -with handle do

1-inch, with handle do

1J 2-inch, with handle do

Countersink do

Dividers, 8-inch do

Drawing knife, carpenter's, oval blade, 10-inch

number. _

File:

Flat bastard, 10-inch, with handle do

Round bastard (rat-tail), 10-inch, with handle

number. _

Saw, taper—

3K-in.cn, with handle ___ do

4-inch, with handle do

414-inch, with handle do

Gauge, marking do

Gimlets, wooden handles, assorted do

Hammer, nail, adz-eye do

Hatchet, shingling _. do

Level, spirit, pocket, iron top plate, Japanned
...number..

ool, No. 1

es and lock, weight 120 pounds)

Mallet, carpenter's, round .number.

Nail puller, large do...

Nail set, square, 4-inch do...

Oiler, zinc do...

Oilstone do...

Pincers, carpenter's, steel jaw, S-inch do...

Plane:

Fore, iron frame, 18-inch do...

Hollow, wooden frame ... do...

Jack, iron frame, 14-inch do___

Rabbet, iron frame, 8-inch do___

Hounding, wooden frame dn.._

Smoothing, iron frame, 9-inch do— -

Pliers, combination, o-inch do

Hasp, wood, half-round, 10-inch, with handle. do...

Rule, boxwood, brass-bound, 2-foot do...

Saw;

Hand, 20-inch do...

Keyhole, 10-inch do...

Panel, 16-inch '___ ...do

Rip, 22-inch. do...

Saw set do.__

Screw, bench, iron, 1-inch diameter ...,,do___

Screwdriver:

Ratchet, 6-inch do...

Regular, 4-inch do...

Screw, hand, 10-inch do...

Spokeshave, 3-inch ...do...

Tape measure, 50-foot _ do...

T-bevel, 8-inch do...

Try square, rosewood, 9-inch _.do__.

Wrench, monkey, 10-inch do...

Brain, plastic and oral

Scalpel, medium, M. Q., l,' 2 -inch blade.. .number.. 2

Tenotome, small, M. O., 3 4 -inch blade. do 1

Scissors:

Mayo dissecting —

Straight, ,V 2 -inch pair.. 2

Curved, 5! 2-inch. _ _ do 2

Straight, screw lock, blunt, 5 .4-inch do 2

2 points sharp, 5^-inch do 2

Bandage, 7! i-inch do 2

Dressing forceps:

Plain, 5J 2-inch number.. 4

Mouse-tooth, 5 Jo-inch do 4

Xeedle holder:

Richter, 7-inch do 1

Hegar do 1

Saw, Heys. do 2

Saw metacarpal do i

Saw, Oigli, square, wire, 20-inch do 24

Saw guide for Gigli, Blair's .do 1

Saw handle. Gigli do 2

Towel, clamp, Backhaus:

3-inch do 6

o-inch do 6

Retractors:

Parker's, double-ended pair.. l

Volkman's, 4-prong do 2

Sharp, single hook fLangenbeek) do i

Decompression do 2

surgery, in canvas case

Retractors— Continued.

Flexible copper, l»g by 13 by T V inch. pair..

Laminectomy (Frazier) do..

Halstead vein do..

Trephine, 3 4-inch number....

Forceps:

Rongeur —

DeVilbiss do

Horsley do

Screw lock, length 5-# inches, Luer, United

States Army number..

Bone holding. Farabeuf's do

Bonecutting, Liston's, 10-inch, screw lock-do

Liston bone, screw lock, 8 l 2 -inch, angled. do

Andrews tonsil do

Cranial operating set do

Bone drill, Stille-Sherman, 6 extra drills do....

Elevator:

Sayre _.__do____

Periosteal, plain _ do

Dura, angular __do

Probes:

Pliable copper, 8-inch, y € -inch diameter, not

plated number..

Silver-
S-inch do....

Lachrymal (salivary duct) do

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

511

Spatula, brain:

7 by % by ,\ inches number..

8^by J-sby „% inches ._ 'lo

Periosteotome:

Broad do... .

Narrow .. - do

Hook Dura, medium, curve do

Osteotome:

fi-min. wide do

12-nim. wide do

Gouge:

(.jam do

10 mm ...do

Clipper, hair —do —

Mouth gag:

Denhart 'to —

Murdock do

Tracheal tube, Jackson, size No. ...do

Tracheal retractors, 3-prong number.

Tracheal hook, sharp -do —

Infusion cantlla, Webster's do —

Infusion needles, Webster's do...

Mallet, hardwood do...

Curette, mastoid, Bucks:

No. I... do—.

No. 3 ''()...

Dilator, jaw, Blair's do....

Spinal puncture needle with stylette do —

Silver wire. No. 2(1 gauge ounces.

Razor, metal handle, for skin grafting. ...number..
Razor strop, United States Army standard. .do...
Forceps:

Tongue holding, Matthicu, 7 'j-ineh, screw loci

__ _ number.

do...

Pean's hysterectomy.

Base hospital and evacuation hospital dental equipment

Articles

Quantity

For
base
hospi-
tal

(a) MEDICINES

Acidum lrichloracetieum, 1 ounce, in glass-
stoppered bottle .bottles..

Eugonol, 1 ounce, in bottle do

Mercury, redistilled, 4 ounces, in bottle
bottles. .

Novocain, . r >0-mgm. hypodermic tablets (or
equivalent) tubes..

Paraform, A grain compressed tablets,
Formacoid type cor equivalent), ICO in
bottle bottles. .

Phenol, camphorated, 4 ounces, in bottle.
. bottles..

Sodium and potassium, in sealed tube
tubes. .

(6) STATIONERY

Erasers, steel number. .

Examination blanks No. 2, so, in pad. pads. .

Files, Shannon number..

Kulers — -do

(c) BOOKS

Dental Materia Medica and Therapeutics

(Prinz) copies..

Dental Pathology, Therapeutics and Phar-
macology (Bufehard-lnglis) copies..

Dentistry, First-Aid (Ryan) ...do

Dentistry, Operative (Johnson) do

Handbook for Sanitary Troops (Mason)

copies..

Oral surgery (Brown' copies. .

(d) INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES

Alloy balances number..

Amalgam carriers, double-end. No. 5. do

Bands, fracture, Angle's, 4 bicuspid and 2

molar ..sets..

Blowers, chip, and hot-air syringes. No. 38.

__ number..

Blowers, chip, extra bulbs for do

Boilers, instrument, small, approximately

12 by 6 by 4 inches number..

Bottles, office, preparation No. 6 do

Broach reamers, extra fine and fine. 6 in

package packages..

Burnishers, I.. II.. Nos. 29, 32, 34s, 36 of

each number..

B

For
evacu-
ation
hospi-
tal

2
2

1
1

6

3

20

10

4

2

2

1

12

6

2
12
8
2

1
6
4
1

1

1

1

1
1

1
1
1

1
1

1
1

2
2

1
1

t

2

2
4

1

2

2
24

1
12

3

4

2 1

(cf) INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES— contd.

Cases, office: ,
Oak, preparation, ls.'2-ouncc glass-
stopper bottles... ....number..

Preparation, extra M-ounce glass-stop-
per bottles for.... number

Chisels, L. U., Nos. 3, 33, 34, 41, 42, 48, of

Cilc h __ number..

Clampi,"rubber"dam, Ivory's, Nos. 19, 20,

21, 22A, 23A, 56, and Bi-naP each-.

Cleansers root-canal, Donnaldson's or S.
S W., No. 5, all fine, 6 in package

packages..

CoJkscrews,"fohimg number..

Elevators, Knott's type, right and ten,

metal handle, of each number..

Elevators, No. 3, metal handle. do

Engines, dental:

ill-cord, with K3 attachment for No.

7 H. p . - number..

Cables "A" for... do —

Cables "A" sheaths for do-
Cords for, extra do, —

Duplex springs for do-
Duplex springs, sheaths for part lOx

__ number..

Band pieces of "M ," contra-angle, for

slip joints No. 2 number.

Handpiece for, No. 7 straight, for slip-
joints No. 2 number..

Lubricating oil for bottles..

Slip-joint connections for part ( 2

number..

Slip-joint connections for part F2.do —
Engine, instruments for hand piece "H"
contra-angle:
Burs-
Dentate, 557, 558. 559, 5fi0, 568.each..
Fissure, 700,701. 702, 703 do-
Inverted cone 33U 2 , 34, 35 37. 39, 41

each.

Plug'-finishing 200, 202. 221 do...

Round lj, 2, 1,4,0,8,9 do...

Drills, 100, 103 do-
Mandrels:

Nos. 302and303 do—

Morgan-M axfield number.

Points, carborundum medium grit,
mounted. 183. 180, 187, 189, 211,219,220,
227, 234, 241 each..

Quantity

A B

„ For

, For evacu-

."'"**'. at ion

h< ; s l"- hospi-

lal tal

2

12

2

1

2

1

24

12

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

12

12

6

2

1

2

1

2

1

H

3

2
2

1
1

24

12

12

6

74

12

4

2

24

12

12

6

512 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Base hospital and evacuation hospital dental equipment — Continued

number

do__._

do___.

.do

{d) INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES— COntd.

Engine instruments for hand piece No. 7:
Burs-
Dentate, 557, 558, 559, 560, 508

Fissure, 700," 7617702,703— ~.do
Inverted cone, 33 1 2 , 34, 35, 37, 3'J, 41

..each.

Plug-flnishing, 200, 202, 221. do__

Bound, } 2 , 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9 do...

Drills, 100, 103 do.__

Mandrels, Nos. 302 and 303 do__.

Mandrels, Morgan-Masfleld— number

Points, carborundum, medium grit,

mounted 183, 18(i, 187, 189, 211, 219,

226,227,234,241 each.

Excavators, Black's cutting instruments,
Nos. 1, 17, 19, 21, 23,34,37,39,49,50,58.

63, 64, 67, 57. 68, 73, 74, 81, 83. _ each

Explorers, L. 11., 5, 6, 11, 12, 18 do...

Forceps, rubber-dam:

Clap, Brewer's type .number.

Punch, perfected do...

Tooth-extracting 10, 15, INK, 18L, 65,

150, 222, 151 each

Holders:

For cotton, Mcthot's type
For mercury, ebony, No. 2
For nerve broach. No. 2...
Rubber-dam, Anatomik...
Hones, oil, Arkansas stone, in wooden

boxes number.

Lamps, alcohol:

No. 26, with flame shields do

Extra wicks for do

Lancets:

Abscess, metal handles, octagon, No. 5

number

Gum, metal handles, octagon No. 2

- number..

Mallets, metal cases, No. 15 do

Matrix retainers, Ivory's:

No. 1 .' do

Extra bands lor. bicuspid and molar

Matrix strips, copper, soft, ' /inch wide, 36

gauge, 5-inch box, 6 inches long boxes

Mechanical dams, Automaton number

Mirrors, mouth:

Aluminum handles, No. 4 do

Extra glasses for, size No. 4, magnilving

and plain each

Mortars and pestles, glass, No. 2 number
Pliers.

Dressing:

No. 2 do

No. 17 do

Office, smooth beak, No. 122 do

Pluggers:

Amalgam, Woodson's 1,2,3 each

Plastic, L. II., 4, 28, 37, 39, 40, 40a. do ..

Root -canal, Donaldson's, 2, 4. 6 do

Pots, medicine, glass, Dappcn's green and

white __ each .

Probes, silver.. number

Saws, dental:

Complete, Gordon White do

Gordon White, extra blades for. (lo___

Kibbon, %-inch., thin do

Scalers:

V. H. 3, 6, 30, 33, 34, 40. 41, 54, 59, 68

each—

Pyorrhea.... set..

Screw portes, Morrison improved. No. 2
number .

24

12

12

6

24

12

4

2

24

12

12

(i

12

6

6

3

4
4

2
2

2
2

1
1

1

1

2

2

6
2

1

1
3

1

2

1

2

12

1

6

1

id) INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES — COntd.

Scissors, gum, curved on flat, No. 22

number..

Separators, adjustable, Ivory's, or equiva-
lent number.

Shears. No. 32 do

Slabs, mixing, glass No. 6 . . do

Spatulas Nos. 22,24 each-
Strips, celluloid, thin, in box of 100. boxes .
Syringes:

Hypodermic —

Dental, all metal, No. 172A

number..

All met al, extra needles for si raight

and curved each..

Extra needles for conductive anes-
thesia (Fischer's type). number.
Extra hubs for, long ami short
— each-
Water, self-tilling, all metal number..
Self-filling, extra pipes for, curved

number.

Tool, universal.. do

Wire, ligature, Angle's, No. 187 boxes..

(f) FURNITURE

Chairs, dental, portable, metal frame in

chests .number

Chests:

Empty, for dental engines do...

Supply, empty do

Instrument, operating, empty... do. __

Cuspidors, nickel-plated, No. (i do..

Desks, field, dental, empty do

Stands, portable, complete, less tables, for

field use, Clark's type number..

Tables, pressed steel, white, No. 90,
Harvard type, table bases to fit Clark's
type stands number..

(J) MISCELLANEOUS

Alloy:

Copper. 1 ounce in box boxes

To comply with Black's physical

standards, 1 ounce in box boxes.

Boxes, soap, metal, small number

Cement:

Copper oxyphosphate, black., boxes..

Oxyphosphate, colors, yellow, white,

light gray, pearl gray, dark brown

each..

Cotton, absorbent, rolls. 6 inches long, ? K ,
H, H inch, in diameter, 100 in box, of

each boxes..

Cots, finger, rubber dozen.

Covers, paper, aseptic, 12 by 12 inches, for"

bracket table number

Cups:

Polishing, soft rubber, small do...

'fin, 2 in nest nests.

Disks:

Bristle 9, 11, and cup shape each.

Carborundum, knife-edge, H, H, %

--- ..number .

Sandpaper, ,' 2 , H, 3 i, grit, 00, 10(1 in

box each..

Garnet paper, i 2 , ?*,, %, grit, M--do

Emery paper, .4, %, y t , grit, 0__do___
Cuttle-fish paper, } 2 , %, ?i, grit, fine

number..

Fiber, devitalizing, arsenical, in jar.. .jars.

Floss, silk, waxed spools

Gowns, operating number

Gutta-percha stopping:

High-heat sticks ounces

Temporary, pink sticks do

2

24
12

4

2

4

I
'-'

24

2

12
12

144
2

2
2

2

2

2

48

12

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 513

Base hospital and evacuation hospital denial equipment — Continued

Articles

CO miscellaneous — continued

Modeling composition, Perfection (De-
troit) pounds..

Napkins, dental, aspetic, 500 in box-boxes.
Paper:

Articulating, thin in books books..

Bibulous, Japanese, 100 sheets in pack..

age packages..

Points, absorbent boxes..

Plaster of Paris, French, impression.. tins..
Points:

Boot-canal, gutta-percha, 8, 10, 12,

boxes each..

Soft-rubber, corrugated G.L do

Pumice stone, powdered tins..

Rubber dam, plain, medium, 18 feet by 6

inches, in sealed tin _ tins.,

Sandarac, gum .cartons..

.Stoves, oil, blue-name number..

Strips, polishing, assorted grits, in boxes
boxes-
Wheels, carborundum, square edge, Nos.

301,302, 304, :i05 each..

Wood, orange, sticks, large bundles..

(g) OFFICE FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

Anvils, east base number..

Aprons, rubber do...

Forceps, crown-slitting do

Mirrors, hand, bevel, 5-inch do

Port polishers, contra-angle... do

Wood points, for, assorted, in box

boxes. .

Post pullers, Little Giant... number.

Root reamers, Peeso's 2, 3, for H. P. No. 7

each.

Root facers, safe-side, for H. P. 7, 8, 9

each.

Shade bars number..

Syringes, water, 21 A do...

Extra bulbs ior do

Typewriters do

Record ribbons for do

Water coolers, 6-gallon ...do

(A) LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

Articulators:

Plain line number..

Crowu and bridge, No. 5 do

Bowls, plaster, A and B each..

Bridge repair sets number..

Extra nuts for do

Brushes, laboratory, plain, stiff bristles,

."x-ineh number..

Burners, Bunsen's dental, No. 12, with

spiders number..

Casting machines- __ do

Chalk, prepared, 3 pounds in tin tins..

Cones, felt, large, blunt and pointed. each..

Dentimeters, Kirk's No. 2 number..

Files:

Flat, 6-inch... do

Round, li-inch... . do

Forceps, mechanical, clasp-bending, No. 8,

McKellop's .number..

Gauges, plate and wire. Brown & Sharpe

number.

Hammers, swaging, lH-pound do...

Investment compound pounds.

Knives, plaster, Nos.5and 10 ...each.

Ladles, melting, No. 8 ...number.

30663—28 33

Quantity

For
base
hospi-
tal

B

For

evacu-
ation

hospi-
tal

2

24

1

2
1
1

(ft) LABORATORY EQUIPMENT— continued

Lamps, alcohol, large, Purdy's number. .

Metal, Melotte's ingots..

Moldine compound pounds..

Pliers-
Contouring—

No. 115, Crescent number..

No. 114, Johnson _ do

Round nose, No. 107 do

Rubber, red pounds..

Sandpaper, 00 to 1, of each.. .sheets..

Saws, frame, mechanical number. .

Extra blades for —.do

Shears, Nos. 8, 10, 11, of each do

Soldering and heating outfits, gasoline gen-
erator No. 45, complete, less blowpipe

stand. number. .

Soldering appliances, Melotte's improved,
with blowpipe, pads, and clamps, com-
plete number..

Spatulas:

Plaster, 4-inch do

Rubber, 4-inch do

Tongs, soldering, 7-inch ...do

Trays:

Lower impression, 1, 3, 5, 15, 17, 22

-_ _ each..

Upper impression, 1, 3, 5, 12, 14, 18

_ each..

Tubing, rubber, 4-inch, heavy wall, white
feet-
Tweezers, B, C, D, E each-
Vises, bench, jeweler's, 2-inch number. .

Wax:

Carvers for, Roach's do

Inlay ....boxes....

Base-plate, pink, H-pound boxes. do

Wheels:

Brush, 3, 5, 6, 16, 24, 26.. each-
Carborundum, lathe, square edge,
1 and 2 inches in diameter, T Vinch
width, grist, C and E each-
Felt, square edge No. 3, round edge
No. 4, knife edge No. 2 of each

number..

Whetstones, carborundum, 5-inch — do

Wire binding, 32-gauge spools..

(!) ADDITIONAL ARTICLES

Burnishers, tantalum, double-end, No. 1.
_ _._ number-
Spatulas, agate or bone do 1

Synthetic porcelain:
" Caulk'S 10-shade, full portion, in box

boxes..

Caulk's shade guides for number-
Anchor flasks do

Bolts for - sets..

Cnspdie plates No. 5... number.

Flask:

"Box" - -do

Presses ...do

Ladles with handles (melting), Nos. 5 and
6, of each number-
Lead - - ingots-
Molding rings, for metal dies, Bailey type,
large and small... each-
Molding sand ..tins-
Plate, German silver, Brown & Sharpe
guage, No. 30, size 6 by 6 inches.. pieces-
Rubber, red vulcanite — pounds..

Solder, silver ounces-

Quantity

For

hospi-
tal

21

B

For
evacu-
ation
hospi-
tal

1
1
1
1

24
1

24
1

16
1

514 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Base hospital and evacuation hospital dental equipment — Continued

Articles

Quantity

For
base
hospi-
tal

(i) additional articles— continued

Swagers (metal) number..

Swaging mallets, horn.. do

Trays, wooden, for molding sand do

Vulcanite files, round and half round

_ _ each..

Vulcanite scrapers and finishers, 3, 7, 8, 26,

27 each..

Vulcanizers, 3 flasks, gas or kerosene

. ...number

Wire, German silver, gauge 12, 16, IK, 4-

foot lengths. __ . . each..

Zinc, J4 pound, ingots ingots..

Articulator, Guilford's number..

Surgery and Diseases of the Mouth and

Jaw (Blair's).. number..

Clamp bands, Usona type, Meier Dental
Manufacturing Co., as follows:
K large, open pattern, 6 in envelope

.envelopes..

K medium, open pattern, 6 in envel-
ope envelopes..

K small, open pattern, 6 in envelope

_ envelopes..

M bicuspid, open pattern, 6 in envel-
ope envelopes. _

Clasp wire, gold, half-round inches..

Crown, assortment No. 10 number. _

Calxine boxes-.

**Cups, drinking, enamel ware, white

number..

Dilators, jaw, ordinary wooden clothespins

number. _

Face bow, Snow's do

Flask, anchor, wrench for do

Fracture bar, Usona type, threaded, 4

nuts, 6 in envelope envelopes..

Gold, solder, 18-carat pennyweights..

Gold plate, 30-gauge, 22-carat .do

B

For
evacu-
ation
hospi-
tal

1

1

fi

6

1

1

3

3

12

12

25

25

1

1

1

1

1

1

10

10

1U

10

Quantity

For
base
hospi-
tal

(0 additional articles— continued

Head gear, Aiguiers.. number..

Lathes, the Unique, complete, (670 Lee S.

Smith catalogue) (fifth edition). number..
Rubber ligatures, assorted sizes in box

(S. 8, W.) boxes..

Rubber, pink, Y% pound in box do

Saliva ejector, hand, S. S. W number..

Seamless copper bands, 100 in box,

assorted (Ransom & Randolf Co.)

Solder, soft, in wire form, )4 pound
_ packages, _

Soldering flux, zinc chloride, 1 ounce in
bottle __ bottles..

Soldering iron, 2 pounds .pounds..

Splints, emergency, Gunning type, alumi-
num, 6 in box boxes. _

Tap and die set (Guilford, screw plate and
2 taps) number. .

Teeth, vulcanite, assortment No. 1
Assistants. _

Tubing for use with expansion arches, 16-
gauge, 3-inch lengths lengths. _

Usona type expansion arch C, 16-gauge
(Meier dental) number. .

Wax, yellow, impression, K-pound boxes
boxes..

Wire, galvanized iron:

No. 8 gauge, 2-foot lengths lengths..

No. 10 gauge, 2-foot lengths do

Wrench, L, square end, for Usona clamp
bands. _ number. _

Wire, aluminum bronze, 13-inch lengths, in
box opening at end, J4-pound box,
assorted as follows: 24 gauge, 40 per cent;
26 gauge, 40 per cent; 28 gauge, 20 per
cent boxes. .

For
evacu-
ation
hospi-
tal

1
1

2

1
4
1

1

1

1

1

■1
1

1
1

1

1

4

4

12

12

2

2

12

12

12
12

N. B. — Articles on the regular dental supply table (see Manual for the Medical Department) marked with an
asterisk are articles of medical supply. The necessary supply of these articles for use of the dental personnel should be
obtained in the same manner as other strictly medical supplies. The allowance for a base hospital is computed on the
basis of two portable outfit equipments and one laboratory equipment; that for an evacuation hospital, on the basis of
one portable outfit equipment and one laboratory equipment.

Additional equipment for an Orthopedic hospital {overseas)

INSTRUMENTS

102. Operating knife number.

103 do.. - do...

104. Tenotome do...

105. Amputating knife-- do__-

106 do do...

107. Plaster of Paris knife do___

108. Dissecting scissors do___

109 do do...

110. Straight scissors _ do...

_ do-

ill.

.do.

113. Plaster of Paris shears do.

114. Uterine scissors, curved __ do.

115. Bandage scissors ...do.

Hemostatic forceps:

116. Jones, straight do.

117. • Halstcad-Army, straight do.

118. Kelly-Ilopkins, straight do.

119. Kelly-Pean, curved, flat shank do.

126. Sponge holder, oval blade number..

127. Tissue forceps (Allis) ...do

Dressing forceps:

128. Straight ..do

129. Spring.. do

130 do ...do

131. Tissue forceps, spring, mouse-toothed. .do

Needle holder:

132. Richter do

133. Hegar do

134. Towel forceps (Backhaus) do

130. Bullet forceps (Senn) do

136. Amputating saw (Saterlee) ..do

137. Coping saw frame and blades with adjustment

for Gigli saw number..

135. Gigli saws do

139. Handles for Gigli saw. pair.-

140. Tourniquet, Army pattern. ..number. .

141. Abdominal needles, taper point, half circle,

Nos. 8, 10, 11, 12, of each number,.

24
16

24
32

16
06

32
48

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES A3TD EQUIPMENT

515

142. Surgeon's needles, regular plain eye, full curved,

Nos.6, 8, 12, 16, of each number.. 48

143. Abdominal needles, straight, of each do 48

Cervix needles:

145. Trocar point, full curved, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,

of each.. ...number-. 48

146. Taper point, full curved plain eye, Nos. 2,

3, 4, of each .number.. 48

147. Intestinal needles, taper point, straight, Nos. 3,

4, 5, of each.. number.. 48

149. Double-ended retractor, combination of Rich-

ardson &. Eastman, two sizes, nested; blades
number__ 8

150. Retractor, Army type, two sizes, nested

number.. °

151. Four-prong sharp retractor, steel.. do 18

154. Aneurism needle (Dechamps), blunt point

number.. 8

156. Probe, silver, straight, with eye, 2 sizes. do 8

157. Trocar and canula, small, medium and large

sizes, of each ..number.. 8

157-1. Trocar disk and plain canula, 2 sizes, of each

size number__ 8

158. Orooved director, plated... do 8

169. Cranial operating set; brace, with burr, 1 cm.,

and drill, 1 cm number.. 4

170. Trephine (Gait) _ do 2

171. Rongeur bone forceps, cranial (DeVilbiss)

number.. 2

172. Brain spatula, medium size do 2

Bone-cutting forceps (Liston):

173. Curved do 8

174. Straight ... ..do 8

Rongeur bone forceps:

175. Horsley do 8

176. Banes do 8

177. Sequestrum forceps do 8

179. Mallet, hardwood, with seamless metal rings

number.. 16

180. Bone extension apparatus (Steinmann)__set._ l

181. Bone-holding forceps (Faraboeuf) __number__ 8
183. Bone chisel, square handle, 3 sizes, of each

size - .number.. 8

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR

Plaster of Paris for bandages, "regular dental"

plaster barrels.. 30

Plaster of Paris for casts, Higginson's casting

plaster -- - barrels.. 25

Crinoline, Vigiland brand, 32 inches wide, 24 yards

in bolt .yards.. 50,000

Cotton sheet wadding, 1 yard wide by 7 yards

long - - bales.. 290

Felt:

Thin white do 5

Soft gray, 1 inch thick- .do 15

Hard gray, M inch thick .do 10

Basin, hand, agateware or white enamel-number..

Bucket, agateware or white enamel do

Boxes, tin, ordinary bread boxes do 8

Knives, bandage, handle with 12 detachable blades

__ number.. 2

Hone for sharpening knifes do 4

Emery paper.. sheets.. 12

Shears:

Bandage number. _ 8

Tailor, large... ...do 2

Spoons, basting, tinned iron do 8

Frame, portable, for applying plaster of Paris

jackets number.. 1

184. Bone gouge, square handle, 3 sizes, of each

size.. — . number.. 8

185. Osteotome, square handle, 3 sizes, of each

size number.. 8

186. Periosteum elevator (Sayre) double-ended

__ number., 8

187. Periosteotome, blunt dissector (KocherJ

number.. 16

188. Bone curette (Whiting), sizes 2, 4, 6, of each

__ number.. 8

Bone drill:

189. Stille-Sherman, with 3 points do 4

190. Detachable metal handle with square

socket _numl>er._ 8

191. Bone operating set, electric (Albee) do 2

192. Bone plates (Sherman) vanadium steel ..set.. 1

193. Screw driver (Sherman) number.. 1

194. Bone screws (Sherman) of each size do 12

195. Clamp for bone plating (Lowman) do 1

210. Urethral catheter, gum linen, coude, boilable,

of each size number.. 8

212. Urethral catheter (Nelaton), of each size

___ number.. 8

252. Vesical syringe (Janet-Frank), metaI___do 8

300. Syringe, Luer standard, all glass, with chain
attachment 4 sizes with needles, of each

__ _ number..

302. Lumbar puncture needles, steel, to fit stand-
ard Luer syringe set.. 4

304. Finger cots, thin rubber — dozen.. 8

305. Applicators, wooden, in boxes do 8

306. Cautery -.. number.. 2

309. Razor, brass or German silver handle do 8

311. Mouth gag (Denhart)... do 8

312. Head light do 2

313. Tongue depressor (Farlow) do 4

320. Infusion apparatus do 24

400. Stomach tube -- do 8

401. Stethoscope — do 8

542. Tongue depressor, wooden, in boxes do 1,000

DRUGS (NOT IN STANDARD LIST)

Resin pounds.. 6

PLASTER OF PARIS WORK

Portable spica support, Goddy pattern... number.. 1

Table, fracture, Hawley, complete -do 1

GENERAL SUPPLIES

Bandages; flannelette, 4-inch roller, cut on bias

cases.. 5

Splint material:

Zinc, perforated, with \i-\noh perforation

_ sheets.. 100

Wire gauze, 5\i inches by 1 yard, in rolls

..number.. 100

Splint wood, 3 or 4 inches wide, T Vi n ch stick,

soft wood, assorted lengths feet.. 200

Sutures:

Silk, twisted, 3 sizes, 18 inches long, in packages

packages.. 500

Kangaroo tendon, in tube - tubes.. 200

Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 12-inch, 5-yard rolls

_ rolls.. 144

Rubber dam, plain, thin, in sealed tin tins.. 50

Rubber tubing for drainage, assorted sizes, 1-yard

lengths, % to H i°ch by !« inch ...yards.. 500

Muslin, oiled --do 24

Benzine gallons *. 10

Alcohol — -- do____ 10

516

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

SPECIAL ORTHOPEDIC SUPPLIES

Buckles for splints and appliances, 1 inch and VA
inches, of each gross. _ 25

Cord, braided cotton, & inch in diameter (for exten-
sions) ... bolts., 50

Covers, canvas, duck, lacing in 2 sections (for the
Bradford frames) number.. 25

Droppers, medicine.. number.. 72

Hooks, cup, brass, small and large, of each.dozen.. 12

Pulleys, awning, single ...number.. 200

Screw eyes, heavy brass, stem T \ inch by 1 inch

-- number.. 100

Tape measures, linen, 5-foot. .do 24

Webbing, 1 inch, 2 inches, 4 inches, and 6 inches

wide, of each yards.. 100

Base hospital library unit

Copies

Anatomy. Gray 1

Chemical and Microscopical Diagnosis. Wood 1

Chemistry. Simon _. i

Pathological Technique. Mallory and Wright l

Bacteriology. Hiss and Zinsser 1

Pathology. MacOallum 1

Bacteriology. Stitt 1

General Surgery. Da Costa _. i

Orthopedic Surgery. Whitman l

Operative Surgery. Binnie. 1

Gunshot Wounds. La Garde ... i

Treatment of Infections. Carrell.... 4

Fractures. Scudder 1

Diseases of the Nervous System. White and Jel-

lifle 1

Occupation Therapy. Dunton 1

Diseases of the Eye. de Schweinitz i

Surgery and Diseases of the Mouth and Jaws l

Ear, Nose, and Throat. Ballenger 1

Urology. Chetwood 1

Diseases of Skin. Stellwagen... ___ i

Genito-Urinary Surgery. Martin 1

Radiography, X-ray Therapeutics and Radium

Therapy. Knox. 1

Principles and Practice of Medicine. Osier 4

Disease of the Heart. Mackenzie 1

Diseases of Lungs. Lord__ 1

Trench Nephritis. (British) Medical Research Com-
mittee Special Report Series No. 8, National Health

Insurance, England 4

Copies
Report on Disorders of the Heart in Soldiers. (British)
Medical Research Committee Special Report Series

No.8,NationaI Health Insurance, England 4

Malingering. Jones and Llewellyn 1

Physical Diagnosis. Cabot... 1

United States Pharmacopoeia 1

Physiology. Howell 1

War Nursing. Goodwin 2

Materia Medica and Therapeutics. Potter 1

Preventive Medicine. Roseman. _. 2

Military Hygiene. Havard 2

Dispensatory l

MEDICAL JOURNALS

Journal American Medical Association

Archives of Internal Medicine

American Journal of Roentgenology

Annals of Surgery

American Journal of Medical Sciences..

British Medical Journal

Journal of Infectious Diseases

Layrngoscope

Annals of Ophthalmalogy

Journal of Mental and Nervous Diseases .

Dental Cosmos __.

Journal of Cutaneous Diseases

Urological and Cutaneous Review

Journal of Laboratory and Chemical Medicine-
American Journal of Orthopedics

The Military Surgeon

Instruments and Equipment Required for Use in

Orthopedic Service

Hospitals

July 15, 1918.
Having Separate

The articles on this list will be furnished on requisition therefor.

Note— Such surgical instruments andappliances as are necessary for orthopedic uses, if not available in the general
surgical equipment provided at the base hospital, may be requisitioned from the List of Staple Medical and Surgical
Supplies, Part I.

Brace wrenches. number.. 2

Frame, portable for applying plaster of Paris jackets

number _. l

Heaters, Burdick, type L, No. 2 do 2

Knives, plaster __ do 6

Sacral Rest, Meyerling's (not furnished when Haw-
ley table is furnished) number . 1

Table, Hawley... do l

SPLINTS

Abduction splint, arm:

Universal, Jones, No. 709 ..number.. 20

Straight, Jones, No. 710 do 20

Bed rest for knee splint, Thomas, No. 705 do 25

Elbow splint, Jones,No.712 do 30

Extension splint, humerus, universal, Jones, No. 711
number. _

Frame:

Bradford, No. 701... _._.do

Abduction, Bradford, No. 702 do

Overhead bed, Balkan, No. 719 do

Foot and ankle splint, combined, Jones, No. 707
__. number,.

Foot splint, rectangular, universal, Jones, No. 708
number..

Hand splint:

Skeleton, dorsiflex, Jones, No. 714 do

Long, Jones, No. 715 _.do

Long, with thumb piece, Jones, No. 716.. do

Short, cock-up, Jones, No. 713 do

10
1
12

10
10
10
50

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

517

Knee splint, Thomas; 2 sizes of rings, 25 and 28 inches

inside diameter; bar length, 52, inches, No. 703

.__ number. .

Straight splint, simple, Jones; set of 4 sizes — 20, 16,

12, and 8 inches, No. 700 number.

Suspension splint, universal, Hodgen's, with 17 feet

of rope and galvanized pulley, No. 717__number_.
Toe-drop brace for knee splint, Thomas, No. 704

number.,

"Wood for splints, 4 inches wide by W inches thick;

a-foot lengths number..

Stretcher bar, for suspension of lower extremities in

transport, No. 718.

TOOL CHEST, ORTHOPEDIC

The following supplies are furnished when
requisition is made for "Tool chest, orthopedic."
(Inreenforced wooden chest with drawers, handles,
and lock.)

Brushes, paint, lL 2 -inch,flat ..number..

Chisels, cold;

M-inch do

1-incb do

Clamp, splicing, lineman's; holes, |f, J$, H. H. «V

10H inches long; weight, 1(1 ounces number..

Clamps, malleable iron, 4-inch do

Countersinks, ^-inch, to use in breast drill. .do

Drill:

Breast, with 3-jawed chuck do

Morse, for same, -, 1 , and \i inch, dozen of each

number..

Files:

Flat-
Bastard, 10-inch, with handles do

Second cut, 10-inch, with handles do

Round, bastard—

10-inch, with handles do

6-inch, with handles do

Flat, second cut, 6-inch, with handles. ..do

Saw (three-cornered), 6-inch, with handles,

medium cut number..

Glue, liquid -- .-.- ....quart..

Hammer, machinist's:

1-pound, cross pein number..

5-ounce, ball pein do

Lead, block, 2 by 3 by 4 inches do

Pliers:

Side cutting, flat nose, 8-inch do

Button pattern, 10-inch --- do

Heavy, for cutting wire, 12-inch. ..do

Punch, belt, universal, Csize do

Punches:

Center, 4-inch do

Rivet; 1 rivet set for use with 'A, T "„ Ji rivets,

1 each number..

Rasp, wood, 10-inch, half round do

Reamer, 6-inch, one-quarter at large end for breast

drill number..

Roller, bandage, double clamp, standard do

Rule:

Boxwood, 24-inch, folding do

Caliper, 6-inch, 1-fold do....

Saw:

Fine miter, 12-inch back saw do

Hack, extension, with 12 blades. 18 teeth to inch

__ number..

Shears, tin snips, Lyon pattern, 14-inch do

Solder, in pounds, half and half... pounds..

Soldering iron, 3 pounds, with handle number..

Soldering salts, in pounds pound..

11KI

100
50

Stone:

Oil, hard, Arkansas, 5 by 2, in box number. .
Fine carborundum, 5 by 2, in box do

Tongs, blacksmith's, 22-inch, or equivalent. .do

V T ise:

Bench, 3'^-inch jaw, swivel base do

Hand, lM>-ineh jaw do

Wrench:

Monkey, 10-inch do

Pipe, 12-inch do

Yankee, plain, screw driver:

No. 90, size 4-inch do

No. 90, size 10-inch -do

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES FOR USE WITH TOOL CHEST

Additional articles arc furnished together with
orthopedic tool chest on requisition for "ortho-
pedic tool chest with additional supplies."

Anvil, 75-pound.... - ..number.. 1

Forge, small portable with hood do 1

Iron:

Black, soft, 14 inch wide, X inch thick, 10-foot

lengths pieces.. 10

Sheet, black, open-hearth, 20 gauge, half sheets,
48 inches by 24 inches.. number.. 8

Leather, first-grade strap:

4-ounce side.. 'a

8-ounce —do }?

Rod, round, soft iron:

8/32 diameter, straight, 12-foot lengths. pounds.. 40
10/32 diameter, straight, 12-foot lengths. ..do 20

SPECIAL MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

(Supplied on requisition)

\dhesivc plaster, zinc oxide, 12 inches by 5 yards

..rolls.. 23

Bolts, iron, stove:

-ft by Hinch gross.. 3

H by Vt inch do.... 3

Buckles, iron, sliding-bar type:

1-inch do.... 1' 2

l'iinch d ° '2

D rings, 1-inch, iron dozen.. 3

Duck, cotton, khaki-colored, 10 ounces, 29 inches

wide yards.. 25-30

Escutcheon pins, iron, No. 12, % inch long :No. 14
y s inch long; No. 16, K inch long; of each

pound.. 1

Leather, calfskin - -— number.. 1

Rivets:

Soft iron: diameters, J i inch, tV inch, X inch;

lengths, H inch, 1 inch; of each pound.. 1

Copper; diameters. V s inch, tV inch, X inch:
lengths, H in ch, H inch, 1 inch; of each

pound.. 1

Shellac, dry, white.. do 1

Snap hooks dozen.. 3

Tin, sheet, 24-gauge, 20 by 2H inches pieces.. 4

Wire, copper, annealed, No. 14, 1 pound spool.. 1

Bandages, cotton, clastic, without rubber. number.. 12
Crinoline, Vigiland brand, 24-20 threads to the inch;
36 inches wide; 55-50 yards long; strictly starch

size --- bolt -- '

Felt:

Soft gray asbestos, ' A inch thick; width, 36 inches,
in bundles containing approximately 10 yards.

number.. 1

Firm gray saddle, M inch thick; width 36 inches,
in bundles containing approximately 10 yards.

_ number., 1

518

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Paper, emery, for sharpening cast knives (assorted
sheets) number..

Plaster of Paris, in barrels, or equivalent quantity
in waterproof containers barrels..

Scissors, large tailoring, for cutting heavy felt, 14
inches long pair..

Sheet wadding, cotton, 1 yard wide, 7 yards long,
in 100-yard bales; No. 407, Union brand, or
equivalent ..bale..

Wire gauze, for splints; y± inch mesh, 5 inches wide,
1 yard long, in rolls number..

Webbing:

1 inch wide, in roll (for use in making splints)

yards..

\ 3 A inches wide (for use in making splints) .do

INSTRUMENTS FOR TREATMENT OF FOOT DISABILITIES

Excavator and packer, No. 1568 (not over \ y A inches).

Corn knife, No. 1528.

Forceps, No. 1647 (not over i l A inches).

Callous rasp No. 1656.

Scissors No. 1601, both points sharp (as described in par. 3).

Nail clippers, No. 1677.

Or substitute list.

Note: Catalogue Nos. are Serenson Manufacturing
Co., New York.

APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR THERAPEUTIC ALTERATIONS OF SHOES

Narrow sewing awl and handle for repairing uppers

-. number..

Extra awl blades for above do

Peg awl and handle for hand driven nails do

Extra awl blades for above do

Bristles for upper stitches ounce..

Silk-finish thread for stitching, spool of 600 yards,

20/4 number..

Soft cotton-finish thread for stiching, spool of 600

yards, 20/4 .number..

Wax for above thread ounces. .

Rasps, 8-inch double-faced, for smoothing edge of

soles and heels; Crispin, or equivalent__number_
Cutting nippers, 6-inch size, for cutting off heel slugs,

No. 125, Bernard, or equivalent pair..

Heel removing tool number..

Heel pinchers for removing top heel lifts, 8-inch

pair..

Shoe knives for trimming edges (I. P. Hyde) Nos.

1, 2, 3 ._ number..

Emery cloth:

No. 1 .sheets..

No. 00 do

Iron cobbling jack of lap design number..

Cobbler's hammer, size No. 3 ( St. Crispin, or equiva-
lent) ._ number. _

Guage heel nails 6-8, No. 13 pounds..

Sole leather, blocks 8H by 12!/ 2 inches number-
Top heel lifts, large size _ pairs..

Cement _ __ pint..

Sole thread:

8-cord linen pound..

7-cord linen _ do

Liquid wax, Goodyear gallon..

Hold-fast nails:

4-8 pounds.

4H-8 do

5-8 do....

Heel'shaver, No. 30 E. D number..

Eyelets, 3/16-inch opening, for Army shoes.. .do

Hand tool for applying eyelets ...do

12
12
1

1
25
25
50

1

1

1
1

5
5
5
1
1,000

1

War Department,
Adjutant General's Office,

Washington, June 3, 191S.
From: The Adjutant General of tlie Army.
To: Commanding generals of all National Army, National Guard, and Regular Army

divisions, all department commanders, and chiefs of all supply bureaus.
Subject: Allowance of quartermaster supplies for base and evacuation hospitals for overseas
duty.

The authorized equipment for base and evacuation hospitals for overseas duty is as
follows :

Axes, with helves

Bags, water sterilizing

Brush, marking

Bugles, witli slings

Flag:

Distinguishing, Red Cross .

Halyards for

National storm

Lampblack, pounds

10

8
1
2

I
2

1
2

By order of the Secretary of War:

Pickaxes, with helves 3

Pot, marking i

Rakes, steel 8

Range, No. 5 5

Spades 6

Stick, size, show 1

Stretcher, shoe 1

Shovels, short handle 3

F. W. Senn, Adjutant General.

2 knives, butcher, 10-inch.

2 pans, bake, 1 Army range, No. 5, large, and

1 No. 578, large.
2 pans, frying, one 12-inch and one 18-inch.
1 pan, dish, 21-quart.
1 saw, meat, 22-inch blade.

1 sieve, flour.

2 skimmers, large.

3 spoons, large.

1 steel, butcher, 12-inch.

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 519

War Department,
The Adjutant General's Office,

Washington, June 3, 1918.
From: The Adjutant General of the Army.
To: Commanding generals of all National Army, National Guard, and Regular Army

divisions, all department commanders, and chiefs of all supply bureaus.
Subject: Authorization of cooking utensils, etc., for use with No. 5 Army range for base and
evacuation hospitals for overseas duty.

The following articles are authorized for issue with No. 5 Army range:

2 boilers, round, one 6 and one 8 gallon.

3 boilers, square, one 10-gallon, one 15-gal-
lon, 1 twenty-gallon.

2 buckets, galvanized iron, 12-quart.

2 cake turners.

3 cans, garbage.

2 can openers.
1 cleaver, 8-inch.

3 dippers, 2-quart.
3 forks, meat, large.
1 grinder, meat.

The bake pans listed above are in addition to the two bake pans which are issued with
and form part of the No. 5 Army ranges.
By order of the Secretary of War:

F. W. Senn, Adjutant General.

The complete equipment of one of these 1,000-bed hospitals was bulky
and heavy. It occupied approximately 30,000 cubic feet of space and weighed
120 short tons. Considerable difficulty was experienced in assembling it. A
part of the equipment required packing, especially surgical instruments and
other small articles. The quantities of many articles on the standard list were
less than commercial case lots. This part of the assembly was carried on
efficiently at the New York medical supply depot. The more bulky articles
could not be carried in stock for lack of space and had to be ordered in from
the manufacturers as needed.

In July 1918, there began to be need of a number of these units. Base
hospital organizations were under orders for overseas service. The plan of
supply contemplated that complete equipment would be delivered to each unit
upon its arrival at the port of embarkation. In order that this plan might be
effective and the equipment available, it was decided to have a number
assembled at the port of embarkation, Hoboken, N. J., and held in readiness
for immediate issue. The personnel of nearly all hospital units were then being
routed through that port.

Instructions were issued to the medical supply officer, port of embarkation,
Hoboken, N. J., July 31, 1918, to assemble the equipment for 10 base hospitals
of 1,000 beds. 10 Each hospital was to be given a letter of the alphabet, beginning
with the letter A. Each package in the equipment was to bear that letter as
an identifying mark. For each unit, separate invoices and receipts were to be
prepared bearing the lettered markings. When the unit was issued, the name
of the organization was to be entered thereon and a certificate attached that

520 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

the equipment had been issued in original packages. As base hospital units
were placed on the priority list for overseas, a requisition for the equipment
was forwarded to the medical supply officer of the port. The equipment was
then to be marked and shipped to leave with or before the organization.

The unit equipments covered by the original instructions to assemble
included the letters A to J. Instructions of August 8, 1918, directed the assem-
bly of 10 more equipments, lettered, K to T, inclusive. 10 These instructions
were followed September 10 for the assembly of 20 more such units to be
lettered U, V, W, X, Y, Z, AA, AB, AC, AD,'AE, AF, AG, AH, AI, AJ, AK,
AL, AM, AN. 11 On October 11 20 more units, lettered AO to BG, inclusive,
were ordered to be assembled. 1 -' On November 4, 1918, 10 more units, lettered
BI to BR, inclusive, made a total of 70 such units to be assembled. 13 Because
of the difficulty experienced in assembling and shipping these units it was
decided to ship, thereafter, the supplies in bulk to the medical supply depot in
France for assembly and issue as required. 14

At the same time that instructions were given the port medical supply
officer to assemble the equipment, lists of the component parts thereof to be
furnished by the medical supply depots at New York and Washington, respec-
tively, were furnished those depots. The depots were directed to pack the
equipment separately for each unit and to send it, accompanied by a packer's
list, to Port Newark terminal. 15

The depots were instructed to prepare separate invoices for each unit
bearing lettered markings and to send them to the medical supply officer of
the port. Requests for the appropriate quartermaster equipment were sent to
the Quartermaster General for the required number of units at the same time
the instructions were sent to the depots for the medical equipment. 16 These
requests to the Quartermaster General asked that the units be packed separately,
with the contents marked on the box, and sent with the least practicable delay
to the medical supply officer at Port Newark terminal.

The number of base hospitals equipped under the auspices of the Red Cross
was limited to 50. Under the estimated requirements of four such hospitals
per division, that number would not go far toward providing for the forces
contemplated for duty overseas. Measures were taken at an early date to
provide adequate hospital equipment. On August 18, 1917, the medical supply
officer at New York was instructed to purchase 3,000 ward units (150,000 beds
complete with mattresses, blankets, ward linen, pajamas, and other articles for
ward use) for ultimate shipment to France. 1

On September 1, 1917, instructions were issued for the purchase of sufficient
supplies for 50 base hospital unit equipments (500-bed hospital) less ward
units authorized as above noted. 2 It was intended to ship four such units
with each division ordered overseas. At that time it was thought that
divisions would be transported at the rate of four per month. For various
reasons they were not sent at that rate until the following spring. The
instructions contemplated that sufficient equipment would be maintained at
New York for 32 base-hospital units. Lack of storage space, however,
prevented this, and the number was reduced to 16. In October, 1917, the

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQL'IP^IEXT 521

medical supply officer at New York reported that 36 such units were being
purchased. 3

As articles on the contracts placed at the end of August for 3,000 ward
units came into production and deliveries began to be made, storage space was
very short in New York City and vicinity. Although the immediate number
of troops then in France did not call for that number of beds, cargo space was
available, and it was thought wise to forward them against future need while
cargo space for them could be had. The question of their shipment at that
time was referred to the commander in chief, A. E. F., by whom the plan was
disapproved. 4

The component articles for these ward units were shipped to the several
distributing depots in accordance with their available storage space. The
great hospitalization needs of the various training camps which developed
during the following months called for a rapid distribution of these articles to
the base hospitals in the United States.

The equipment provided base hospitals by the Medical Department was
lacking in certain essential articles such as ranges for cooking and the kitchen
utensils ordinarily supplied with them — flags, rakes, picks, shovels, filing
equipment, etc. These articles were commonly provided by the Quatermaster
Corp, out of its proper appropriations. The question of ranges came up early
in 1917 in accumulating equipment for hospitals organized under the auspices
of the American Red Cross. The directors of the units were advised to secure
their own ranges and cooking equipment. 5 The Quartermaster General, on
September 11, 1917, was furnished an itemized list of the articles of his department
needed to equip the Medical Department units of a division, including base
hospitals, with the request that arrangements be made to have them available
overseas in sufficient quantities to equip these units upon arrival. 6 Arrange-
ments were made, a month or two later, by the Quartermaster General to ship
50 Army ranges No. 5 as initial equipment for every 25,000 men sent over and
to supply one-third of that amount monthly as upkeep. It was thought that
base hospitals could be supplied from this stock after their arrival in France. 7
The question of quartermaster supplies for base hospitals came up again
in May, 1918, when additional hospitals were being equipped for service
overseas. The depot quartermaster at Philadelphia, Pa., was designated to
supply all the articles on the list except water-sterilizing bags, which were to
be supplied from New York, and Army ranges No. 5, which were to be supplied
on arrival abroad. 8 This method of supply not proving satisfactory, ranges were
included in the equipment to be supplied in the United States. The quarter-
master articles to be furnished each base hospital were prescribed in instructions
from The Adjutant General, June 3, 1918. 9

The instructions for the assembly of the earlier units directed the shipment
of the supplies to Pier 45, North River, but the space at that pier was inade-
quate for the proper assembly of these units. Port Newark terminal, Newark,
N. J., by the late summer of 1918 had reached such a state of completion that
space was available to receive supplies. 17 This terminal was intended primarily
for the shipment of supplies overseas, and some difficulty was at first experienced
in obtaining authority to route the equipment of these units into the terminal

522 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

for assembling. These difficulties were overcome, and 40,000 square feet of
floor space was assigned to the Medical Department for the accumulating,
marking, etc., of the small items. More space was promised as necessary. 17
Other storage space was to be used for the storage of beds, mattresses, pillows,
and blankets. It was estimated on September 23, 1918, that the space assigned
would be sufficient to keep on hand the equipment of 20 base hospitals and
leave working space for the assembling of that many more. At that time
supplies were arriving at the terminal in sufficient quantities to justify the
forecast of 10 base hospitals that could be forwarded during the month of
October. 17

Many of the supplies required for the equipment of base hospitals were at
that time being obtained on interbureau requisitions " and being shipped in
bulk on contracts placed by the general purchasing office of the Medical
Department. Supplies received from other depots came properly packed and
accompanied by packers' lists and invoices. The supplies received from other
sources, coming in bulk, had to be assembled for each unit. To accomplish
this a packing force was necessary. Some delay was experienced in developing
a suitable packing room and a force to operate it. This difficulty was overcome
by the assignment of a nucleus of trained personnel in the New York medical
supply depot and by the utilization of personnel from the labor battalion
assigned to duty at the terminal. Material delays were experienced in assem-
bling base hospital unit equipments because of failure to receive the needed
articles from the contractors. It became necessary for the Surgeon General to
issue instructions for the shipment of the equipment incomplete, in order that
as much of it as possible might be made available in France for the use of
hospital personnel which had already gone over.

While the equipment furnished the base hospitals forwarded overseas
conformed to the list already mentioned, certain units designated for the
treatment of special classes of patients were provided with additional equipment.
All hospitals had some orthopedic equipment; those intended for special hos-
pitals for the treatment of orthopedic cases were provided with more extensive
and elaborate equipment for that purpose. The same is true of hospitals
intended for the treatment of neuropsychiatric cases. The equipment for
special treatment for these units consisted essentially of hydrotherapeutic
apparatus.

COST OF INITIAL EQUIPMENT OF A 1,000-BED BASE HOSPITAL (OVERSEAS)

Medicines, antiseptics, disinfectants §2 258 79

Stationery ~ "_~_~"~~~ ' 152. 91

Furniture, bedding, and clothing _ §4 13999

Medical books ' .„.' .,

Surgical instruments (general), dressings, and appliances 10 114 14

Surgical instruments:

Brain, plastic, and oral 053 "l

Ear, nose, and throat 935 80

JwL""j* 636 - 00

Orthopedre 1,634.73

• For details concerning interbureau requisitions, consult Chap. XI.

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 523

Miscellaneous $6, 757. 06

X-ray apparatus 3, $13. 28

Laboratory equipment, and supplies 3,242.59

114, 133. 93

Steam disinfcctor, portable, Medical Department 2,672.50

Ranges, cooking utensils, flags, rakes, shovels, and other equipment supplied

by the Quartermaster Corps 959. 15

117, 765. 58

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New-

York, August 18, 1917. Subject: Purchase of beds. On file, Finance and Supply

25
Division, S. G. O., -«—

(2) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, September 1, 1917. Subject: Supplies for a 50-bed hospital unit, On file,

713—539
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — g=

(3) Letter from the medical supply officer, New York, to the Surgeon General, October 3,

1917. Subject: Requisition for instruments partially duplicating orders already

250
given. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ,^ •

(4) Cablegram from The Adjutant General to the commanding general, American Expedi-

tionary Forces, France, November 7, 1917, relative to shipment of 150,000 beds
and bedding, and par. 19, Cable No. 279, H. A. E. F., to The Adjutant General,
Washington, November 10, 1917, in reply thereto. On file, Finance and Supply

„. . . „ „ „ 250 France
Division, S. G. O., „„ — j-^j-, , ■
99 and 111

(5) Correspondence between the director of Red Cross Base Hospital No. 23, Buffalo, and

the Surgeon General, June 15, 1917, relative to ranges for that hospital. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14843 N.

(6) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Quartermaster General, September 11, 1917.

Subject: Equipment and supplies required by the Medical Department. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O. - .„ —

(7) Second indorsement, Quartermaster General, to The Adjutant General of the Army,

November 8, 1917, relative to equipment of hospitals sent overseas. On file, Finance

A a , tv ■ • n n 750-594
and Supply Division, S. G. O., — .„

(8) Correspondence between the Surgeon General and the Quartermaster General, May 3

to 9, 1918. Subject: Supplies for base hospitals ordered abroad. On file, Finance

. a , tv • • a n r> 750-594
and supply Division, o. <j. U., ...

(9) Letters from The Adjutant General to the commanding generals of all National Army,

National Guard, and Regular Army divisions, department commanders, and chiefs of

supply bureaus June 3, 1918. Subject: Allowance of quartermaster supplies for base

and evacuation hospitals for overseas duty. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

a -, n 750-594
8. G. V., -JJ4

(10) Letter from the Surgeon General to the port medical supply officer, Pier 45, North
River, New York, July 31, 1918. Subject: Supplies. On file, Finance and Supply

tv • • o r- n. 55 Misc. B. H.
Division, S. G. O., .-„

524 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(11) Letter from the Surgeon General to the port medical supply officer, Pier 45, North

River, September 10, 1918. Subject: Receipt and issue of base hospital equipment.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ,,, ~-

(12) Letter from the Acting Surgeon General to the port medical supply officer, Pier 45,

North River, October 11, 1918. Subject: Receipt and issue of base hospital equip-

_. _, _. , „ . _. . . „ _, _ Req. 55 B. H. Misc.
ment. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — =-5- —

(13) Letter from the Surgeon General to the port medical supply officer, Pier 45, North

River, New York, New York, November 4, 1918. Subject: Receipt of and issue of
the base hospital equipment. On file. Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Req. 55 B . H. Misc .
33

(14) First indorsement from the Surgeon General to the port medical supply officer, Pier 45,

North River, New York, October 23, 1918, relative to shipment of supplies for base

55 \iisc
hospitals. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ~~ — '•

(15) Letters from the Surgeon General to the officers in charge, Medical Supply Depots,

New York and Washington, D. C., September 10, 1918. Subject: Shipment of
base hospital equipment. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
Re q. 55 B . H. Misc .
10

(16) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Quartermaster General, September 13, 1918.

Subject: Equipment of base hospitals. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
750-549 QMC
219

(17) First indorsement, port medical supply officer, Pier 45, North River, New York, to the

Surgeon General, September 23, 1918, relative to essential articles for the operation

of the base hospitals, and storage space at the Port Newark terminal. On file

T ,. , £ , , t->- ■ ■ ci n r^ Req. 55 B. H. Misc.

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — - =-= — — .

±0

CHAPTER XXXIV
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

In 1914, the year in which the Great War began, practically 80 per cent
of the steel instruments used in the United States came from abroad. During
that year reports of retail dealers to the United States Tariff Commission
indicated that 50 to 75 per cent of all instruments sold during that year were
of foreign manufacture. The bulk of the importations came from Germany.
France supplied a few delicate cutting instruments, such as eye scissors, and
England furnished the majority of the suture needles used by American sur-
geons. This placed the foreign manufacturer in a predominant position. 1

Because of the position of the foreign manufacturer, the American manu-
facturer was unable to turn out surgical instruments of comparable quality at
competitive prices. The disparity in prices was due largely to two factors:
The difference in cost of labor and methods of manufacture. There was also
a prevailing impression among retailers and surgeons that instruments of foreign
manufacture were better plated, more uniform in temper, correct in pattern,
smoother in finish, and had better points, joints, and serrations than the
domestic. Many of them were not made at all in the United States, or if
made were made to order and at a much higher price. 1

While most of the instruments used by the American profession were
made in Germany, very few of the patterns originated there. They were
practically all designed in America. American surgeons have shown the same
inventive genius and originality which have made American machinists and
designers famous. Surgical instruments are rarely patented; they may be made
by any manufacturer. When an American manufacturer had perfected a
design and made a few instruments, and it became evident that the type
would be saleable, some retailer or importer would secure a sample and send
it to Germany where it would be copied, dies would be made, quantity produc-
tion started, the profession circularized, and the instrument sold at less than
the American cost. 1

In September, 1914, the Imperial German Government declared an embargo
on the exportation of all surgical supplies, including surgical instruments, and
in spite of the many protests from manufacturers of surgical instruments,
refused to lift the embargo except in so far as it granted special licenses.
Supplies of Germai: instruments continued to trickle into the United States
during the remainder of 1914 and to some extent during 1915, but by the middle
of 1916, on account of the embargo and the very efficient blockade, they had
ceased entirely. England and France likewise required practically the entire
output of their own factories for their own use. Surgical needles became
increasingly more difficult to secure, until in the spring of 1917 the maximum

525

526 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

amount Great Britain would permit to be exported to the United States was
6,000 gross for the year, and this for military as well as civilian needs. A new
source of supply of surgical instruments had been discovered in Japan, but it
attracted very little attention until the latter months of 1916. x

The shortage of instruments became noticeable in 1915, and the drain on
the retailer's stocks became severe. Domestic manufacturers found themselves
called upon to supply not only the domestic needs but to meet the pressing
needs of the military forces in England and other allied countries. 1

In the midsummer of 1916, when the Mexican border mobilization occurred;
the state of the surgical instrument trade in the United States was at its lowest
ebb. The stocks of previous importation had been practically exhausted, and
the domestic manufacturers had but begun to expand to meet the increased
demands for surgical instruments which was soon to reach such gigantic
proportions. While they were in a much better position to meet the demands
of the Army and Navy in 1917 than they would have been in 1914, they were
overburdened with orders from retail dealers and from European countries. 1

This condition was soon to prove the saving feature of an exceedingly
grave situation. The regular instrument makers had increased their productive
facilities and had been able to acquire enough skilled labor to supply the
demand during the three years when the Atlantic was closed to importations
into the United States from Germany. When the United States entered the
World War, these increased facilities on the part of the domestic manufacturer
provided an appreciable nucleus of an instrument-making industry which made
it possible to meet the emergency which arose during the war. 2 With this
situation in mind, it became evident, even before war was declared by the United
States, that if the instrument makers of this country were to be able to meet its
military requirements it would be absolutely necessary to reduce the number
of patterns of instruments in order that quantity production might be had and
that the time and effort of all manufacturers might be devoted to these particular
patterns. To this end the Secretary of War, as chairman of the Council of
National Defense, called a conference, in the early part of 1917, of medical officers
of the Army, Navy, and Public Health Service, and civilian practitioners of the
highest type, representing all specialties, to work in conjunction with commitees
of manufacturers. 1 The duty devolved upon this committee was the determina-
tion of what instruments were necessary, what were available, and what could
be produced in quantities within a reasonable time. Superfluous types of
instruments were eliminated and the number of designs reduced to the minimum.
The list, as finally tabulated, contained, 800 different items selected from 7,000
as catalogued by manufacturers and dealers. This standardization assured
uniformity of equipment, but it did more than that. The reduction in the num-
ber of items guaranteed a demand of each article in quantities sufficient to
justify the introduction of new and expensive machinery and the reorgani-
zation of methods of production.

The manufacturers of surgical instruments and appliances were not idle
while the committee on standardization struggled with the problem of selec-
tion, elimination, and reduction of types. Representatives of the largest
instrument makers met in Washington April 11, 1917, to form an organization

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 527

representative of that industry. 3 At that meeting a committee on surgical
instruments and hospital equipments was formed at the suggestion of the
medical section of the Council of National Defense. To the committee was
assigned the task of devising the best and quickest methods of supplying surgical
instruments to the Army, Navy, and Public Health Service. .

A call was sent to all the principal instrument makers for a conference
with the committee in Washington, April 15, 1917, to arrange plans for the
immediate production of the surgical instruments required by the Government.
At this meeting the prospective requirements of the Army and Navy were
presented and explained by representatives of the medical departments of those
services. The investigations of the committee indicated that the facilities
available at that time in the United States would not produce over 10 per cent
of the steel surgical instruments required. It was agreed that every known
source of production must be improved and perfect coordination and complete
cooperation had among the actual manufacturers if the requirements were to
be met. To some the situation appeared almost hopeless. 4 There were
financial, raw material, and labor problems to be met. Of this the labor
problem appeared to be the most difficult of all. It required months and
often years to acquire the necessary skill and technique to make surgical
instruments, and there was no time for training unskilled workmen. Then,
too, there was the prospective loss through enlistments and by the draft of a
number of trained workmen. However discouraging the situation appeared,
the problem remained to be met with firmness and determination. Through
the efforts of the committee the entire industry was mobilized. Plants were
reorganized and new methods introduced.

The great task confronting the surgical instrument manufacturers was
solved by (1) making the most economical use of existing plants, (2) the
establishment of a few new firms, and (3) utilizing to some extent facilities
afforded by establishments in allied branches of the metal working industries.
Manufacturing resources were systematically mobilized. Resources were pooled
by large and small manufacturers to fill Government contracts as rapidly as
possible. Contracts were divided, each firm selecting the articles it could
handle to advantage. Teamwork or cooperation in production made possible
the most economical use of plants and labor forces specializing on a scale never
before attempted. The contracts, calling for hundreds of a given item where
only dozens had been produced before, enabled the manufacturers to purchase
or design new machinery, dies, and processes, and to introduce, in fact, quantity
production. 1

The reorganization and introduction of new methods and expansion of
existing facilities were not equal to the production of the vast and ever-increasing
quantities of instruments being required. Other measures became necessary,
new sources of supply had to be found, and new facilities developed. Certain
types of surgical instruments had their analogy in the products of allied
industries, such as hand tools, table and pocket cutlery, and the like. These
industries later were to be classified by the War Industries Board as nonessen-
tial industries. It was thought that they might be interested in the manufac-
ture of surgical instruments. Early in 1918, in cooperation with the War

528 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Industries Board and other governmental agencies, a survey was made covering: 6
(a) The best class of workmen who were formerly engaged in industries, then
nonessential, and whose training would lend itself to the manufacture of
surgical instruments; {b) workmen who had had experience in the manufacture
of articles of the soft metal group, nickel-silver, copper, brass, silver, etc.; (c)
lines of industry which had stocks of these metals on hand: (d) contractors
who were not already furnishing supplies for war purposes; (e) industries which
in peace time manufactured cutting tools, saws, pliers, etc.

Following this survey, the associated jewelry, silversmiths, and table and
pocket cutlery industries were requested to attend a special meeting with a view
to undertaking the manufacture of surgical instruments. 6 At this meeting a set
of samples accompanying every article on the war supply table was demonstrated.
An official who was aquainted with the materials used and in the manufacturing
procedures presided at the meeting. Attending manufacturers were provided
by an official with all necessary information. The samples were tagged with
the proper name and number and also with the price bid for the article to the
regular manufacturers by the Medical Department. The manufacturers at the
conclusion of the meeting expressed a willingness to help in making surgical
instruments, and many of them were quite enthusiastic over being called in to
help in war procurement from which they had thus far been excluded. After
the meeting proposals were sent out from Washington for all the items on the
supply table. In this instance they were sent to between 200 and 300
prospective bidders as against 40 or 50 in former instances. Bids were received
from approximately 200 bidders. Awards on these bids were given to
approximately 35 regular and 56 converted factories. Investigations were
at once undertaken to determine whether the succeessful bidders were
equipped to make and deliver the articles on which they had bid. Wherever
uncertainty existed the award was made only tentatively until the converted
plant had been inspected by a special official. If the plant on this inspection
was found satisfactory, the award was definite. If unsatisfactory, the bidder
was partly or entirely eliminated as a factor. 6

It was possible to select many single articles from among manufacturers
of outside products. For example, in the case of bone mallets, made of boxwood
and extensively used. A former manufacturer of roller skates was found who
had a large quantity of Turkish boxwood on hand. He was interested in the
manufacture of bone mallets and furnished them with surprising promptness
and at a fraction of the price which previously had prevailed. 5 The manu-
facturers of household scissors easily adapted themselves to the making of
surgical scissors and provided a satisfactory supply. Surgical drills and
trephines were of much importance. Manufacturers of carpenters' drills were
interested and produced perfect instruments. Hardware and tool makers
furnished saws, chisels, gouges, and other items related to their peace-time
product. 6

The converted industry had a problem difficult to solve at the beginning.
They had to be taught to make articles about which they knew very little.
They were instructed and supervised periodically by surgical instrument inspec-
tors from the New York medical supply depot. All processes, from the

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES ASD EQUIPMENT 529

forging to the finished article, were more or less constantly under supervision.
Although very few deliveries were made hy them before the armistice, came,
they demonstrated that, had the war gone on, production was in a fair way to
meet requirements. 2

The first problem in acquiring surgical equipment appeared in the first call
for the assembled cases to be delivered complete by each bidder. The compli-
cation arose from the fact that no single bidder could produce in his own plant
all the articles in the complete case. A number of manufacturers to whom
proposals for bids were sent failed to bid, feeling that they would be unable to
obtain from competing manufacturers the articles they were unable themselves
to produce. This difficulty was overcome by conferences between the manu-
facturers wherein satisfactory arrangements were made for the interchange of
articles. This interchange between the manufacturers proceeded with almost no
friction and the assembled, complete cases were delivered within reasonable time.
All the assembled cases were made by the regular surgical instrument manu-
factures. The instruments requisitioned individually were made by the regular
manufacturers at the beginning of hostilities and until other sources of supply
became available. 6

Practically all the surgical instruments required by the Medical Depart-
ment were so nearly standard that machine methods already existed so far as
machines could be used in their construction. Xo articles were required in
quantities large enough to justify the construction of special machines for their
manufacture. Special small tools for shapings in machining were always
necessary. Such tools were made by trained toolmakers. Very few of the
surgical instrument manufacturers had toolmakers enough to cover the demand.
They were obliged to have their tools made in special tool-making shops, and
those they found overloaded with tool making for other essential industries.
This caused much delay in actual delivery from the regular surgical instru-
ment manufacturers, who rarely found it possible to supplement their own
toolmakers."

No trouble was experienced in obtaining all the surgical knives needed.
Most of them were obtained from drop forgings by the regular surgical knife
makers who had their own dies and drop hammers for making the forgings.
When the makers were unable to furnish the quantities needed, no material
difficulty was found in supplementing their output by the products of pocket-
knife and butcher and household knife makers. Most of them had their own
die makers and drop hammers and also the grinders and polishers to finish the
forgings. The steel used in making knives has a rather high carbon content,
varying from 0.00 to 1.20. No great difficulty was experienced in obtaining a
sufficient quantity of this steel. The difficulty was in getting special sizes of
steel which were not the standard stock sizes. The manufacture of surgical
knives was not affected by this because they were usually made from standard-
size steel. If the exact sizes wanted were not quickly obtainable in an emer-
gency, a somewhat different size could be utilized with a slight excess of labor
in their manufacture. 7
30()63— 28 34

530 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Surgical scissors were all made from drop forcings except the one style
which went into enlisted men's belt cases. Many of these were made of cast
iron for lack of time required to get the forgings. They were better than none
and were quite inexpensive; furthermore, they were the only kind available and
had to be used, although they were not reliable. 7 All the bone-cutting forceps
were made from drop forgings both by the surgical manufacturers and the
converted plants. 7

The great problem encountered was to obtain sufficient drop forgings from
the existing dies. These dies produce only limited quantities before they wash
out and have to be repaired or replaced. The vast quantities of instruments
required for war purposes called for additional drop-forging dies. The specially
high-trained labor for that industry was woefully short and was overloaded far
beyond capacity. The instrument makers usually had their dies and forgings
made outside. The few plants which made their own dies and forgings were
equipped only for a normal demand.

The finishing and the proper assembling of steel forceps is the most time-
consuming part of the labor in constructing them. The polishing is absolutely
hand labor. Even after pickling to remove the scale, the outer surface must
be ground away with emery. A skilled grinder or polisher can remove an excess
of 0.005 inch without spoiling the surface and in the shortest possible time.
A less skilled workman can not do the work with so small a margin of excess
without spoiling the forging. He requires much more time to finish his work
than the skilled man. Several grinding and polishing operations with different
grades and sizes of abrasives are necessary before the part is ready for nickel
plating. This particular part of the manufacture of steel instruments can be
done only by the very highest skilled labor. 5

The converted plants were confronted not only with the problem of
training polishers for steel forceps but also with that of assembling
and adjusting the forceps after they had been polished. Hemostatic forceps
required details of construction differing somewhat from those of any other
commodity. The serrations in the jaw, which must mesh properly, and the
spring tension required in some of the jaws and in all of the shanks, especially
when the jaws were curved, seemed to be an almost insurmountable obstacle
to them even after proper instructions. The men did not acquire the skill
readily, and long delay was experienced before any appreciable production
materialized. 7

In giving the converted plants samples of the articles they were to pro-
duce inquiries were always made concerning their ability to acquire the dies
for making the drop forgings. Their reply to this inquiry as a rule, was, that
their engineers were accustomed to laying out dies for steel or for soft metals
and that further instructions on that head were hardly necessary. One of the
firms produced forgings almost twice as thick as they should have been, and to
remove the excess was practically impossible. If correct drop forgings could
have been furnished these plants, material production might have been made.
Many of the converted plants which accepted contracts for steel forceps held
firmly to the theory that soft-metal polishers could be easily trained into steel

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AXD EQUIPMENT 531

polishers. This theory, however, did not prove true. The soft-metal polishers
did not adapt themselves easily, and it was many months before they produced
anything worth while. 7

The smoothing and polishing of the inside of the rings on the forceps has
always been done by what is called strapping. Several of the new firms con-
structed special machines for doing this by a new process, but their effort was
wasted. The machines did not do the job faster than the simple strapping
method. 7

These converted industries had very little trouble in making articles of soft
metal. They made those articles with very little instruction or special help."

In the later months of the war new plans were put into effect for overcom-
ing the shortage of forgings. The plan contemplated and partially completed
was based upon the forgings being furnished by the Government. Contracts
were to be made with reliable drop-forging establishments for the production
of the blanks. These plants had their own drop hammers and trained die
makers; this assured correct shapes and proper steel. The forgings were
to be delivered to special finishers who were qualified to do the work. This
work was to be done under the supervision of competent inspectors. The
Medical Department was thereby assured of a more uniform product and
delivery in ample quantities. All parts were standardized, even the screws
used in forceps, scissors, etc. These standard parts were to be supplied with
the forgings and also to be used in the repair of instruments. Arrangements
were completed so that parts could be properly tempered or heat treated
at New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The regular instrument makers
were asked and willingly agreed to assist Government inspectors in their
respective localities. 5

The smaller shops were unacquainted with the procedure for making bids to
the Government and the details for delivery. They were not familiar with the
financial aspects of billing and collecting the actual money with which to meet
their pay rolls. These small makers did not have sufficient capital to carry
their accounts until they received reimbursement from the Government.
Farming out material for partial finishing and plating was resorted to only in
isolated instances. 7

The surgical instrument committee was interested in the quality of the
instruments to be furnished on Government contracts. It feared that unless
measures were taken to prevent it, inferior instruments might be supplied.
In order to protect the reputable manufacturer and to prevent the introduction
of spurious instruments, orders were issued by the War Department which
required that all metal instruments furnished the Medical Department of the
Army should be impressed with the trade-mark of the actual manufacturer.
If the manufacturer did not have a trade-mark, his initial or other identifying
mark was to be stamped on the instrument. Instruments which were not a
product of the contractor's plant, but which had been obtained from other
sources by the contractor, were required to bear only the trade-mark or the
initial or other identifying marks of the person in whose manufacturing estab-
lishment they were made. This requirement did not preclude the use of imported

532 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

instruments, but it did serve a useful purpose in identifying any which were
later found defective. 8

Besides the difficulty arising from a shortage of skilled labor, the surgical
instrument makers, during the months of January to March, 1918, were con-
fronted with a shortage of fuel. 9 Early in January the Fuel Administration
had been established to coordinate the distribution of fuel and to conserve the
supply. Under the restrictions proposed by the Fuel Administration, some
difficulty was at first experienced in securing a proper amount of coal. All
manufacturers who were devoting the major part of their production for
Government contracts were favored in the matter of fuel and measurements
effected whereby their minimum requirements in the matter of coal were made
until the fuel situation eased with the coming of the spring weather.

The surgical instruments standardization board, which compiled the list
of instruments to be standardized, also revised the various instrument cases on
the standard supply table of the Medical Department. 10 Such changes were
made in the cases as were necessary to adapt them to the instruments in the
standard list. In preparing the new list of contents to these cases a particular
catalogue number of each instrument was given where the instrument had been
standardized. In the few cases where the instrument had not been standardized,
the instrument required had been furnished for many years, and a sufficient
number of dies were available to insure an adequate quantity. New instrument
cases were added from time to time as the needs of the hospitals required.
The number of new cases, however, was small. The principal among them
were the auxiliary eye cases, the ward dressing set, and the brain, oral, and
plastic surgery outfits.

PURCHASE

The instructions for the early purchase of surgical instruments were con-
tained in the general instructions to purchase medical and hospital supplies
issued to the depots at New York and Washington on May 25, 1917." The
instructions for the purchase of veterinary instruments were issued to the
medical supply officer at St. Louis on May 21, 1917. 12 In making these pur-
chases, proposals for instruments were forwarded to bidders through the
committee on surgical instruments and hospital equipment. The committee
apportioned the instruments to be supplied among the various manufacturers
according to their abilities and notified the purchasing officers of the number
and kinds of instruments each manufacturer was to furnish. 13

While the quantities of instruments required on the original schedule of
supplies for an army of 1,000,000 men were large, it was realized that the future
requirements of an ever-increasing army would be still greater. To provide
for these increasing requirements, the officers in charge of the medical supply
depots at New York, Washington, and St. Louis were instructed on September
18, 1917, to duplicate the existing contracts for surgical instruments as to both
quantity and price. These contracts were to be prepared and submitted to the
manufacturers for signature. If they were unwilling to accept the contracts
or the prices, the Surgeon General was to be notified. 14 The makers accepted
the contracts without comment and the work proceeded.

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 533

111 January, 1918, the schedules of procurement sent to the three purchasing
depots included a large number of instruments. In June, 1918, another schedule
was sent them. The quantities of instruments given on the automatic supply
table received from the commanding general of the American Expeditionary
Forces in France were larger than had been anticipated and called for a mate-
rial increase in the procurement and productive schedules of surgical instruments.

A grave emergency having arisen in France in August, 1918, from an acute
shortage of surgical instruments, 15 effective measures to meet the need became
urgent. Accordingly, instructions were given to the officer in charge of the
medical supply depot in New York and to the officer handling the purchase of
surgical instruments in the general purchasing office, in Washington, to pur-
chase, from stock in the hands of dealers wherever it could be found, instruments
on the standard supply list, or others very nearly like them. Purchases were
made, accordingly, in New York City, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, St.
Louis, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. These instruments went forward on a fast
transport and arrived speedily at their destination. They proved sufficient to
meet the emergency which had arisen.

During the earlier months, after the establishment of the large hospitals at
the various training camps throughout the United States, it was not possible
to furnish as many instruments as the local surgeons thought desirable.
While manufacture was proceeding as rapidly as possihle under the facilities
then available, the output of all the factories was not sufficient to provide the
instruments required. Complaints were received from some camps, for example,
Camp Lewis, concerning the shortage of instruments and that the surgeons
were being required to use their own instruments. 16 Many of the surgeons had
brought with them to the camp the instruments used by them in their private
practice. To overcome the shortage of instruments thus reported and to
relieve the surgeons from the need of using their own instruments, instruc-
tions were issued for the purchase of all privately owned instruments in use at
the hospitals which were considered necessary for their proper operation. 16
These instructions resulted, however, in the purchase of comparatively few
instruments. Many of the surgeons having instruments and using them at the
hospitals refused to sell them. In a few instances the surgeons, with the
approval of the camp commander, went to near-by cities and purchased instru-
ments from local stock. The instruments so purchased were later vouchered
and paid for out of Medical Department funds.

INSPECTION

The inspection of surgical instruments is always a difficult procedure. No
specifications and no simple tests had been worked out for the information and
guidance of inexperienced personnel in making inspections. To formulate speci-
fications would have taken so much time that the Medical Department would
have had very little equipment before the end of the war. It was practicable
for a few inspectors actually trained in the manufacture of surgical instruments
to visit the factories from time to time, to watch the process of manufacture,
to suggest changes and improvements, and to inspect the instruments in their
various stages from inception to finish. A few such experienced instrument men

534 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

were secured, and these were supplemented by examiners from the appraiser's
division of the customhouse at New York. The inspections which were
made were deemed adequate, because each of the inspectors knew the character
and the reputation for reliability of the various manufacturers, importers, and
dealers in the industry. On deliveries from dependable sources, inspections of
a few articles passed the lot. 2 Less dependable sources received more attention.
The regular sources of supply of surgical instruments were generally satisfactory
and gave but little concern as to usability of the material. The finish often
fell below the normal requirements, but consideration had to be given to the
insistent demand for rush deliveries, to the lack of time, which forced under-
finish, and which had to be overlooked if the material was found to be effective
for its purpose.

Certain instruments were imported from Japan. The earlier imports were
not dependable. Thorough inspection was required and often resulted in the
rejection of the greater part of the delivery. During the later months of the
war, however, the instruments imported from Japan rapidly improved in qual-
ity, and many of them were found satisfactory.

For many years prior to 1914, practically all surgical needles used in the
United States were imported from England. The greater part of these needles
were made by two firms, located at Redditch, England, 17 which specialized in
the manufacture of needles and were able to supply the demand both of Great
Britain and the United States without difficulty.

With the outbreak of hostilities in 1914, the export of surgical needles from
England was greatly curtailed. As the demand for man power at the front
increased, the number of skilled workmen at home diminished and the output
fell off. The British Government was thereby confronted with the necessity
of reducing the output of surgical needles and of conserving the available
stock for the use of its own forces. This need arose partly from the shortage
of steel and partly from the reduction in manufacturing personnel. The few
surgical needles manufactured during the years 1914-1916, inclusive, contributed
but little toward supplying the needs of the country. Imports into the United
States rapidly diminished.

The stocks on hand in the United States at the outbreak of hostilities in
1914 and the dwindling supply which continued to find its way from England
had sufficed for the civilian needs until the entry of the Medical Departments
of the Army and Navy into the market for needles for military purposes. A
large number of cases of instruments had been ordered by the Medical Depart-
ment of the Army in the late summer of 1916. Each one of these cases contained
a dozen needles. In July, 1917, the contractors reported that they were still
awaiting the major part of the needles required to fill these cases. 18 The
number of needles required for the instrument cases needed for the Army of
1,000,000 men caused an acute shortage. Under the British export restrictions
they could not be obtained from England. After the United States had decided
to join the Allies it was thought that these restrictions might be sufficiently
relaxed to provide for its military needs. Accordingly, a letter was addressed
to the Secretary of State on April 17, 1917, by the Secretary of War, setting
forth the difficulties experienced by the Medical Department in procuring

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 535

surgical needles in sufficient quantities for Army purposes as a result of those
restrictions; the assistance of the State Department was solicited in securing
their relaxation. 19 The request was promptly transmitted by cable to the
American ambassador at London, that the British markets be opened to pur-
chases of surgical needles for the United States forces. 20 On May 7, the
Secretary of State was advised that the Medical Department of the Army
had endeavored to purchase 14,300 dozen needles dining the previous year, of
which only a part had been delivered. The needs of the Army for surgical
needles during the ensuing year were placed at 68,000 dozen, or approximately
6,700 gross. 21 The military needs of the United States for surgical needles
was placed before the British Foreign Office by the American ambassador, but
apparently without material results. In the meantime, correspondence between
the contractors in the United States and the manufacturers at Redditch had
been going on. The makers reported that an export license was necessary to
enable them to supply the needles which had been ordered by the contractors. 22
A request was made that the American Embassy secure authorization for the
purchase of these needles, and a letter to that effect was addressed to the
Secretary of State on July 18, 1917. 23 The matter was again taken up by
cable and the Secretary of State was advised, August 13, as follows: 24

The British Government is willing to allow the exportation to the United States of not
more than 5,000 gross surgical needles during the next 12 months on condition that the
distribution will be made under United States Government control. This represents the
maximum which in all probability can be spared from the limited production in this
country. It is extremely desirable that in ordering needles from the United Kingdom the
assortment be limited to as few models as possible. We understand that these needles if
distributed under United States Government control can be obtained at the same price
which the British Government has fixed to the manufacturers of these needles. Needles
ordered by Haslam, 500 gross; Charles Lentz & Sons, Philadelphia, 100 gross; Powers &
Anderson, Richmond, 35 gross; Porter Bros., New York, 70 gross, can be released for ship-
ment as soon as ready, if they are consigned to the United States Government, or its
nominees. These lots will be part of the 5,000 gross set apart for the United States.
Telegraph to whom these needles should be consigned. Suggest cooperation with Council
of National Defense.

In the meantime in the process of negotiations between the American
ambassador and the British Foreign Office, the following information was
received July 25, 1917: 25

With reference to the note No. 4235 which your excellency was good enough to address
to me on July 3 regarding the exportation of surgical needles from Great Britain to the
United States of America, I have the honor to state that while the most favourable
consideration possible is being given to application for licences to export these goods to
America, the supply is for the moment insufficient to meet the requirements of the War
Office in this country.

Efforts to secure an increase in the number of surgical needles allotted
to the United States continued, and on August 30, 1917, the following cable
was sent by the Department of Commerce to the commercial attache' in
London: 26

Consign needles commanding officer, Army Medical Supply Depot, six twenty-eight
Greenwich Street, New York, who will control distribution. Five thousand gross wholly
inadequate for country's requirements. Request more.

536 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Although the British Government found it impracticable to increase the
apportionment of surgical needles to the United States, deliveries of the quan-
tities authorized were made with commendable promptness. The shipments
were consigned to the officer in charge of the medical supply depot at New
York, who made distribution to the firms for whom they were intended.
These firms used the larger part of the needles on their orders in completing
the contracts with the Government.

When it became evident that a sufficient number of surgical needles could
not be imported from Great Britain to take care of the military requirements,
a survey was made of the possible facilities within the United States which
might be converted or developed for the manufacture of needles. It was
believed that if sewing-machine needles could be produced satisfactorily, surgi-
cal needles might also be produced by a slight modification of the plant and by
the training of the necessary personnel. A survey was made of the factory
and facilities of the one manufacturer in the United States who was producing
surgical needles. This survey, made on September 13, 1917, disclosed the fact
that the company occupied two floors of a substantial manufacturing building.
The firm had acquired, a year and a half previously, the needle-making machine
already referred to. They had not experimented in the manufacture of needles
and had had a great many trials and tribulations. They were at that time
actually turning out needles in smaller quantities of satisfactory quality. It
was probably from the experience that the company had had that they were at
least six months ahead of anyone else who might enter the field. They were
filling orders from surgical supply houses in a small way. It was suggested
that the Government take over the entire output of needles and cancel all orders
that the company had, and that the Government give them such assistance
financially and otherwise as might be necessary to increase their output within
as short time as possible to a specified quantity of needles per day. 27

At a conference between representatives of the Council of National Defense
and the Surgeon General it was agreed that efforts be made to obtain an offer
of a contract from Randall, Faichney & Co., the owner of the equipment just
mentioned, on 22,000 gross of surgical needles representing 6 different sizes as
listed in the catalogue of surgical instruments. 28 The Singer Sewing Machine
Co., which had been approached and had expressed a willingness to undertake
the manufacture of surgical needles, was to be requested to submit an offer on
22,000 needles at the present time. 28 The Ostby & Barton Co., were requested
a few days later to submit samples and to quote prices on 12,000 gross of
needles. 29 In the event that the sample needles prepared by these three firms
proved satisfactory, contracts for the quantities mentioned were to be given
each of them. The War Industries Board recommended, October 5, 1917,
that Randall, Faichney & Co., be given a contract for 19,000 gross surgical
needles of various types and sizes. 29 On November 9, 1917, the Singer Sewing
Machine Co., reported that the necessary machinery was rapidly being installed,
that dies were nearly complete, and that it hoped within a very short time to
be actually making needles. As soon as manufacture had reached that point
a price would be submitted. One thousand needles of size 4 had already been

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 537

manufactured and were ready for delivery. 30 On November 15, 1917, the
Singer Sewing Machine Co., reported the work progressing and requested dates
of delivery considered necessary. 31

Samples were submitted, and thereafter the work proceeded satisfactorily
and needles were turned out in quantities. The other manufacturers mentioned
were also proceeding with the making of surgical needles, and the United States
had no longer need to depend upon importation for its surgical needles. These
firms continued to manufacture surgical needles until the end of the war, and
all of them developed efficient organizations for that purpose. While the
needles furnished by them had not measured up in all respects to those which
had previously been imported, they were nevertheless satisfactory for the
purpose for which they were intended, and no difficulties in their use were
experienced.

At the time of signing the armistice large stocks of surgical needles in all
the standard sizes were on hand in the various medical supply depots, and
existing contracts were terminated on terms favorable to the Government and
to the satisfaction of the contractor.

Upon the cessation of hostilities and the termination of the contracts, the
organizations of the Singer Sewing Machine Co. and the Ostby & Barton
Co. built up with such care for the manufacture of surgical needles, were
disbanded and the production of needles discontinued.

REFERENCES

(1) United States Tariff Commission. Tariff information, Series VII. The surgical

instrument industry in the United States. Government Printing Office, 1918.

(2) Letter from Lieut. Col. Alfred Littauer, O. R. C, 337-341 Fourth Ave., New York

City, N. Y., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, June 11, 1927. Subject: Surgical
instruments during World War. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., file
713-539 N.Y.
1245

(3) Letter from Charles J. Pilling, chairman, committee on surgical instruments and

hospital equipment, to Dr. F. F. Simpson, medical section, Council of National

Defense, April 11, 1917. Subject: Committee on surgical instruments. On file,

572
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., file — - C. J. P.

(4) Letter from Charles J. Pilling, Philadelphia, Pa., to W. C. Gorgas, Surgeon General,

U. S. Armv, January 24, 1918, relative to the surgical instrument situation regard-

, _. . . Q „ n 572 C. J. P.

ing the Army. On file, Finance and Supply Division, 8. <j. O., 3 g

(5) Letter from Lieut. Col. George W. Wallerich, O. R. C, Chicago, 111., to Col. Edwin P.

Wolfe, M. C, January 29, 1917, relative to surgical instruments during the World

713—539 N. Y.
War. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 12 _ 8 •

(6) Letter from Lieut. Col. Alfred Littauer, O. R. C, to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, July

2, 1927, relative to surgical instruments during the World War. On file, Finance

, a , rv • • a n n 713-539 N. Y.
and Supply Division, B. U. O., 1245

(7) Letter from Lieut. Col. Alfred Littauer, O. R. C, to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, July

8, 1927, relative to surgical instruments during the World War. On file, Finance

i q , rv • • a n r> 7 13-539 N. Y.
and supply Division, 8. O. O., J245

538 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(8) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in Charge, Medical Supply Depots, New

York, Washington, and St. Louis, November 15, 1917. Subject: Revised instruc-
tions as to markings of surgical instruments. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
a r< /-i ^15 Surg. Inst.

o. Lj. U., z

(9) Letter from Charles J. Pilling, Philadelphia, Pa., to the Surgeon General, January 31,

1918, relative to fuel. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 574 C „ J ' P " .

O

(10) Proceedings of the board of officers convened at the Field Medical Supply Depot,

Washington, D. C., for the purpose of making recommendations for the revision of
the instrument cases of the Medical Department of the Army, May 25, 1917. On
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Document File.

(11) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, May 25, 1917. Supplies for a million men. On file, Finance and Supplv
Division, S. G. O., 14039-20-14.

(12) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St.

Louis, May 21, 1917. Subject: Veterinary supplies. On file, Finance and Supplv
Division, S. G. O., 14066-14.

(13) Letter from Charles J. Pilling, chairman, committee on surgical instruments and hospi-

tal equipment, to the Surgeon General, August 25, 1917, relative to allotments on vet-

£70 P T P
erinary instruments. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., z: ..

(14) Letter from the Surgeon General to officers in charge, Medical Supply Depots, New

York, Washington, and St. Louis, September 18, 1917. Subject: Surgical instru-
ments. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., I 13 ~ 5 ~ 39 .

136

(15) Par. lb, Cable 1606, Headquarters, A. E. F., to The Adjutant General, August 17, 1918,

relative to shortage of surgical instruments.

(16) Correspondence between the Commanding Officer, Base Hospital, Camp Lewis, Wash-

ington, and the Surgeon General, January to March, 1918, inclusive, relative to
the shortage of surgical instruments and to purchase of privately owned instruments
in the possession of medical officers. On file, S. G. O., Finance and Supplv Division
531-127
136

(17) Letter from the Acting Secretary of War to the Secretary of State, May 7, 1917, rela-

tive to the importation of surgical needles. On file, Finance and Supplv Division
S. G. O., 14039-31.

(18) Telegram from Alfred Littauer, O. R. C, secretary, committee on surgical instruments

and hospital equipment, New York, to the Secretary of War, July 13, 1917, relative
to surgical needles, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14636-76.

(19) Letter from the Secretary of War to the Secretary of State, April 17, 1917, relative to

shortage of surgical needles. On file, Finance and Supply Division, 8. G. O., 14039-31.

(20) Letter from the Secretary of State to the Secretary of War, April 20, 1917, advising that

cable had been sent ambassador at London requesting British markets be opened to
the purchasers of surgical needles for American Army needs. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 14029-31.

(21) Letter from the Acting Secretary of War to the Secretary of State, May 7, 1917, relative

to surgical needles. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14029-31.

(22) Letter from the Kny-Scheerer Corporation to the War Department, Office of the Sur-

geon General, September 17, 1917, including correspondence with the surgical needle

manufacturers. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ■

(23) Letter from the Secretary of War to the Secretary of State, July 27, 1917, requesting

authority for the ambassador, Great Britain, to assist in effecting shipment of sur-
gical needles. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14636-76.

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 539

(24) Letter from the Secretary of State to the Secretary of War, August 16, 1917, inclosing

copy of cablegram of August 13, 1917, from the American ambassador, London,
England, relative to surgical needles. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G.
O., 14636-76.

(25) Note No. 145 232 X from the foreign office, S. W. I. London, to His Excellency,

the Honorable W. H. Page, July 25, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

.G.O.,*»

(26) Letter from Fred. B. Peterson, Exports Administrative Board, Washington, D. C, to

Lieut. Col. Carl R. Darnall, Medical Supply Officer, Medical Supply Depot, U. S. A.,
Washington, D. C, August 30, 1917, relative to cable to the commercial attache,
London, relative to surgical needles. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. ().,
533-498
3 '

(27) Memorandum of the visit made by G. E. Chatillon to the factory of Randall, Faichney

533 N. D.
& Co., Boston, Mass. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^SS — '*

(28) Memorandum for Col. Darnall, Surgeon General's Office, by Everett L. Crawford, Coun-

cil of National Defense, September 15, 1917, relative to a survey of the factory of
Randall, Faichney & Co., Boston, Mass. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

H „ „ 533 N. D.
S. CO., - 2 69 ~

(29) Letter from George E. Chatillon, Council of National Defense, to Col. Darnall; S. G. G.,

October 5, 1917. Subject: Surgical needles. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

« r n 533 N. D.
S. G. O., 269

(30) Letter from the Singer Manufacturing Co. to George E. Chatillon, War Industries Board,

Council of National Defense, Washington, D. C, November 9, 1917, reporting prog-
ress in manufacture of surgical needles. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
„ „ 533 N. P.
S. G. O., 269 ■

(31) Letter from the Singer Manufacturing Co. to George E. Chatillon, War Industries

Board, Council of National Defense, November 15, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply

„. . . - „ „ 533 N. D.
Division, S. G. O., ssq

CHAPTER XXXV
SURGICAL DRESSINGS AND SUTURES

TYPES OF DRESSINGS FURNISHED

The standard supply table provided the following list of surgical dressings: 1
Bandages, gauze, compressed, 2^-inch, 3-inch, 3^-inch, 6-yard rolls, 1 gross
in packet; bandages, gauze, roller, 2^-inch, 3-inch, 3H-inch b y 10 yards, 6
dozen in a box; cotton, absorbent, 1 pound in rolls, for general hospital use;
cotton, absorbent, sterilized, 1 ounce in package for field use; first-aid packets,
metal covered; first-aid packets, shell wound; individual dressing packets;
gauze, plain, 25 yards, in roll or 100 yards in bolt; gauze, plain, in 5-yard
rolls; gauze, plain, sterilized, two H-yard lengths in package; gauze, sublimated,
two H-yard lengths in package. To these were added during the war: Front-
line packet No. 1, red label; front-line packet No 2, white label; front-line
packet No. 3, blue label.

A full description of the standard prepared surgical dressings and the
specifications for absorbent gauze will be found in Chapter XIX. Specifications
for gray gauze and for gauze roller are quoted below:

Specifications For Gray Gauze

Material— Gray goods to be made of 1^-inch staple white cotton, not lower in grade
than United States Government type middling, and free from bine benders or tinged cotton.

The material used in the sizing of the yarns for this cloth shall be free from inorganic
sizing or loading material, insoluble soaps, paraffin, glue, unsaponifiable oils, waxes, water'
nsoluble gums, or turpentine.

Construction.— The gray gauze shall be not less than 36 inches wide, and the thread
count and weight per square yard shall be in accordance with the following table:

Warp

Weft

Approximate
weight per
square yard

20 or 19
22 or 21
28 or 27
44 or 43

Hi or l.i
IS or 17
24 or 23
40 or 39

Grn im
11)
22
28
48

TESTS

Water extract.— One-half yard of gauze extracted with distilled hot water in a Soxhlet
extractor for five hours shall vield an extract weighing not more than 3.5 per cent.

Alcohol extract.— One-half vard of gauze extracted with 95 per cent ethyl alcohol in a
Soxhlet extractor for five hours shall yield a solid extract when dried at 100° C. of not more
than 1.65 per cent by weight.

Ether extract.— One-half vard of gauze extracted with ethyl ether in a Soxhlet extractor
for five hours shall yield a solid extract when dried at 100° C. of not more than 1 per cent
by weight.

541

542 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Incineration. — One-half yard of gauze incinerated in a platinum crucible shall yield not
more than 90 per cent by weight of ash, containing potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium,
iron, and aluminum which were originally in combination with hydrochloric, sulphuric, and
phosphoric acids.

Put-up. — Rolls of 1,000 yards or over if possible, otherwise bales of usual size. Rolls
or bales to be fully protected with strong kraft paper, or paper of similar strength, and
covered with new or clean burlap, equal to 40-inch, 7H ounces per yard.

Length of cuts. — Goods to be woven in pieces as long as possible, no pieces under 60
yards to be accepted, and with no appreciable quantity of pieces less than 120 yards in
length. The pieces furnished on rolls to be sewed in such manner that cloth at the sewing
will be full widtli and filling yards run horizontally across fabric.

Approved.

Surgeon General's Office, United States Army,

October 16, 1918.

Specifications for Plain Bandages, Assorted

Six dozen in a box (24 each 2H inches, 3 inches, and 3>£ inches by 10 yards).

Material. — All gauze to be in accordance with United States Government Standard
Specifications for Absorbent Gauze, in weight, mesh, and chemical analysis. Bandages to be
made from gauze having 44 threads to the inch in the warp and 40 threads to the inch in
the filling.

Size and wrapping. — Each bandage to be one continuous 10-yard length of material
specified above, and to be of the full width specified, to be smoothed out and tightly and
evenly rolled. Each bandage to be securely wrapped and sealed, the wrapper to be of good
quality white paper, equal to the standard sample on which shall be printed the size of the
bandage, in figures, with name and address of the contractor.

Packing. — Bandages to be packed in plain strawboard boxes each containing 24 bandages
of each of the three sizes designated, each box to bear a label showing contents, contractor's
name and address, and date of contract. These paper boxes to be packed in strong wooden
cases of not less than 54-inch, finished size, spruce or white pine lumber; 20 paper boxes to
each case. Cases to be stenciled on one end with the number of dozen bandages contained
therein and the name of the contractor and the date of the contract.

PURCHASES IN 1917

The surgical dressings manufacturers met in Washington in April, 1917,
and organized a committee of surgical dressings manufacturers which cooper-
ated with the Council of National Defense. 2 The executive committee of this
association at that time received the requirements of the Army, the Navy, and
the American Red Cross, and apportioned them among the various manufac-
turers in accordance with their ability to produce. A representative of this
committee negotiated with the manufacturers of gray goods in behalf of all the
surgical dressings manufacturers for the quantities of gauze needed to produce
the surgical dressings required. The surgical dressings required by the Army
at that time called for approximately the following quantities of gauze: 3

Yards

381^-inch, 44 by 40, 8.2 yards per pound 35, 000, 000

36-inch, 32 by 28, 13 yards per pound 10, 000, 000

36-inch, 28 by 24, 15 yards per pound 45, 000, 000

36-inch, 22 by 18, 19 yards per pound 8, 000, 000

Total 98,000,000

The cost-plus percentage type of contract was then favorably regarded.
The surgical dressings manufacturers requested that the contracts for surgical
dressings be made on that basis. Accordingly a special type of contract was

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 543

prepared for surgical dressings on the basis of the cost of cotton gray goods and
the necessary fixed overhead, to which was added a profit of 10 per cent. For
the form of contract see page 122.

The cost of the gray goods used in these contracts was on the following
basis: 4

Cents per yard

38-inch, 44 by 40; weight, 8.2 yards per pound 5%

36-inch, 22 by 28; weight, 13 yards per pound 3%

36-inch, 28 by 24; weight, 15 yards per pound 3J^

36-inch, 24 by 20; weight, 17 yards per pound 3

36-inch, 22 by 18; weight, 19 yards per pound 2%,

While the cloth is commonly sold on the basis of the price per yard, in the
trade it is quite as often quoted on the basis of the price per pound. It will he
seen from the prices per yard already quoted that the price per pound would
vary between 4834 cents and 52J^ cents, or an average of about 50 cents. The
manufacturers of surgical dressings had no difficulty in placing their orders for
the required amount of gauze. The deliveries called for were for short periods.
The demand for dressings was immediate and urgent. Delays, however, were
experienced by the manufacturers of finished dressings in the receipt of
needed machinery and in perfecting their organizations. Contracts were not
ready for signature until nearly the end of August, 1917, although production
began in June and July. 5 The work had proceeded in advance of the receipt
of contracts upon the understanding between the representative, of the Medical
Department and the manufacturer that contracts would he forthcoming as
soon as the forms had been perfected. The mills manufacturing gauze experi-
enced difficulty in securing shipments of cotton from the South. 6 Embargoes
were frequent and special arrangements had to be made for securing cars for
the shipment of raw material. Supplies to fill Government contracts, and defi-
nitely known by the railroads to be such, were given preference in shipment.
Manufacturers of gray goods were furnished the contract numbers of the surgi-
cal dressings manufacturers and instructed to have those numbers placed on
bills of lading for the shipment of the cotton needed for the production of the
gray goods to fill their orders. In the event that these measures did not suffice,
the manufacturers were instructed to apply to the Surgeon General's Office or
to the Council of National Defense for assistance in securing transportation.
Priority certificates were issued to the surgical dressings manufacturers and sub-
sidiary priority certificates to the manufacturers of gray goods. 7 In spite of
this, deliveries on gray goods to the surgical dressings manufacturers continued
to lag. Some manufacturers experienced greater difficulties than others. The
producers were urged to speed up production. By the end of the year
deliveries had been made in sufficient quantities to meet requirements.

In November, 1917, it became evident that further orders must be placed
at an early date for surgical dressings to meet the increasing and expected
requirements of the following year. Although the committee of surgical dress-
ings manufacturers, as a part of the Council of National Defense, had been dis-
solved, a war service committee of the same manufacturers had been organized. 8
Negotiations continued to be made through the representatives of that com-
mittee. On November 28, 1917, a member of the committee was informed that

544 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

the Medical Department desired to place contracts for bandages and surgical
dressings for delivery during the first three months of 1918, and that approxi-
mately 35,000,000 yards of bandage cloth and surgical gauze would be required. 9
The committee was requested to purchase the cloth from the mills and was
authorized to represent the interests of the Medical Department in the purchase.
It was stipulated that the purchase be made at as reasonable a margin above
actual cost of production as possible. Priority in the delivery of the cloth from
the cotton mills participating was required. 9 The Medical Department under-
took to assume responsibility for the cloth in the event of difficulty on the part
of the maufacturer of surgical dressings in securing it. 9 Following this request,
a representative of the surgical dressings manufacturers selected by the Surgeon
General to negotiate the purchase of the gauze, accompanied by a representa-
tive of the Council of National Defense and a representative from the Quarter-
master General, visited the mills in the Fall River district of Massachusetts to
negotiate for the purchase of this material. In these negotiations it was found
much more difficult to secure a fair price for the materials than in the purchase
made earlier in the year. 10 This was due in part to increased difficulties in the
matter of finance and raw materials, but probably, to a considerable extent, to
the belief on the part of the cotton mills that the surgical dressings manufac-
turers, in previous contracts, had secured unusually favorable prices." The
contracts were finally placed at a price of approximately Q5}4 to 68^ cents
per pound, with full promise that deliveries would be completed within the first
three months of the following year. While representatives of the Government
negotiated the contract and arranged the price, the actual contracts were made
by the surgical dressings manufacturers, who were to deliver the finished arti-
cles to the Medical Department. 12 The dressings made from this gauze were
100,000 boxes of bandages, assorted, 2^-inch, 3-inch, and 3^-inch, by 10 yards
in boxes of 6 dozen; 200,000 bolts of absorbent gauze, 100 yards to the bolt;
and 400,000 rolls of absorbent gauze, 25 yards to the roll. The total yardage
required for this purpose was 39,600,000."

PURCHASES IN 1918

The increasing tendency of centralization of procurement led to the
conduct of the negotiations for the purchases early in 1918 of surgical gauze
by the Government direct rather than through the surgical dressings manufac-
turers. At the suggestion of the Quartermaster General, negotiations were
handled through the cotton goods section of his department. By this time
the requirements of the Army, the Navy, and the Red Cross were fairly well
known. In the conduct of the negotiations for gray goods the requirements of
these three branches of the service were considered as one. On February 9
1918, the chief of the cotton goods section, Quartermaster General's Office,
was advised that approximately 160,000,000 yards of surgical gauze would be
required between that time and the end of September, 1918." The gauze
required would be 44 by 40, 32 by 28, 28 by 24, and 22 by 18. It was
intended out of this gauze to produce the following surgical dressings:

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 545

First-aid packets, metal-covered . . . 2, 400, 000

First-aid packets, shell-wound 800, 000

Individual dressing packets .. 3, 000, 000

Bandages:

Compressed, 6 yards, 1 gross in box.- _gross__ 125, 000

Roller, 10 yards, 72 to the box.. do 125, 000

Gaiue:

Plain—

5 yards in carton . .cartons. . 240, 000

In 1-yard packets. . . packets .. 450,000

18 by 22 mesh, 100-yard bolts -- yards. _ 20. 000, 000

Sublimated, in 1-yard packets packets.. 12,000,000

The proportions in which the gray goods were required were 07,000, 000
yards 44 by 40, 15,000,000 yards 32 by 28, 32,000,000 yards 28 by 24, and
46,000,000 yards 22 by 18. 15 The negotiations for the purchase of this gauze
were promptly undertaken. The chief of the cotton goods section of the
Quartermaster General's Office, a representative of the War Industries Board,
and a representative of the surgical dressings manufacturers met with the mill
producers of the Fall River district on February 13, 1918. 16 It was found that
an artificial market had been created, due largely to the fact that the amount
of the prospective Government contract had become known to the mills in
that district. As a result the price had gone up 10 cents a pound and material
difficulty was had in arriving at a fair price. The representative of the War-
Industries Board proposed that the price paid on the last purchase of gray
goods, plus the extra cost of cotton, labor, and supplies, should form the basis
of the price paid for the materials under negotiation. The mills declined to
accept the offer, upon which all mills in the Fall River district were notified
not to sell any of the contracts under negotiation, or cloth, or the products of
the looms, until permitted to do so by the War Industries Board. It was
contemplated that the War Industries Board would be requested to fix a price
for the material which would yield a fair profit to the manufacturer. The
result of this decision led to a material reduction in prices. The market
quotation of the week previous to the conference between the mills and the
representatives of the Government was approximately 70 cents per pound.
The price asked at the conference was 90 cents per pound. The price finally
paid was 72J^ to 75J^ cents per pound. 17

After negotiations were completed covering the price, allotments were
made to the various mills for the production of the gray goods. The orders
were distributed among three groups of mills, the Fall river group, a northeastern
group, and a southern group. Negotiations were conducted throughout by the
representatives of the cotton goods section of the Quartermaster General's
Office. When the apportionment of the gray goods to the mills had been
completed, the contracts with the mills were made by the Medical Department.
A representative of that department was stationed at Fall River to supervise
the inspection, acceptance, and shipment of the gauze produced by the mills
in that district. When the different mills had shipments ready they notified
this representative, and he arranged for the inspection of the gauze and its
30663— 28 35

546

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

shipment on Government bills of lading to the surgical dressings manufacturers,
who had contracted to convert them into finished dressings. A similar repre-
sentative was stationed at Greenville, S. C.,and performed like services. The
proportion of the gauze on the respective contracts to be sent to each surgical
dressings manufacturer was determined in the Surgeon General's Office and a
distribution list furnished its representatives in the Fall River and Greenville
districts. Inspection of the gray goods in both areas was made by repre-
sentatives of the customs service of the Treasury Department, acting on behalf
of the War Department.

The quantity of gauze purchased and the proportions of the several
constructions arc shown in the following table: 18

Mills

:(si 2 -iiK'h,44

by 40, 8.20

yards per

pound

36-inch, 32 by

28, 13 yards
per pound

36-inch, 28 by
24, 15 yards
per pound

Yards Yards

Fall River group I 5,000,000 P. 499.950

Northeastern group 520, 000 7.845,000

Southern group 53,949.000 !

Total I 59,469,000 14,344,950

Yards
2, 450, 055
6. 500, 000

36-inch, 22 by

IS, 19 yards
per pound

Yards
61, 590, 957
1,180,000
1. 355, 000

8,950,055 i 64,134,957

36-inch, 20 by
16, 21 yards
Iter pound

Yards
6. 876. 705

Yards
82. 426, 667
16,045,000
55, 804, 000

154, 275, 667

The facilities of the manufacturers of surgical dressings were strained to
the utmost in the production of the bandages and field dressings, and it became
necessary to find other agencies for bleaching and finishing the plain gauze for
ordinary hospital use. Since there were many bleacheries in the United
States engaged in bleaching sheeting and print cloth, no reason could be seen
why their facilities should not be made applicable to the bleaching of surgical
gauze. After some negotiations bleacheries were found willing and able to take
over the bleaching and finishing of this material. The earlier outputs of these
bleacheries were lacking in absorbency and finish, due to their lack of familiarity
with the processes required. The same degree of absorbency is not required
in ordinary bleached muslins or print cloths that is required in surgical gauze.
The earlier processes at these bleacheries followed their accustomed practice
and were not carried sufficiently far to produce the degree of absorbency required.
This difficulty was overcome in time, and the output of the bleacheries passed
the standard requirements.

The raw materials division of the War Industries Board became quite
concerned in the middle of March, 1918, over the quantities of gauze being
purchased for the Army. These purchases were thought to excite the market
because of the size of the orders — more than 200,000,000 yards. Under such
conditions the cotton-mill men would immediately go out to cover any obliga-
tions they might incur and the result would be a prompt rise in prices all along
the line. 19 This led to an inquiry from the surveyor general of purchases to
the Surgeon General, concerning the negotiation then in progress for gauze. 20
In reply, the Surgeon General advised that these negotiations were being
conducted by the supply section of the Quartermaster General's Office. 21 While
the quantity of gauze (230,000,000 yards) might seem large, it covered only a
six months' supply in so far as the Army was concerned, the estimate requirement

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 547

of the Army being about 320,000,000 yards for the next year. This estimate
was based on the quantity of surgical dressings asked for by General Pershing.- 1

The 160,000,000 yards considered in the negotiations already described
were expected to cover the period ending with September, 1918. As the military
program proceeded and the number of troops in France increased, it became
evident that in the period following October 1, 1918, additional surgical dressings
would be required. Accordingly, in July consideration was given to the placing
of further orders for surgical dressings material in the gray.

On July 30, 1918, instructions were issued for the placing of an interbureau
procurement requisition with the Quartermaster Department for the following
materials: 22

Gauze: Yards

36-inch, 22 by 18, 19 yards to the pound 22, 202, 000

36-inch, 28 by 24, 15 yards to the pound 10, 795, 000

36-inch, 32 by 28, 13 yards to the pound 3, 300, 000

38^-inch, 44 by 40, 8.20 yards to the pound 68, 738, 000

Sheeting, 36-inch, 64 by 60, 5.35 yards to the pound 4, 110, 000

Interbureau procurement requisition M-21 was accordingly placed with
the Quartermaster General on August 2. Receipt of the requisition was
acknowledged August 9. The first contract under the requisition was made
August 26, and the last contract October 31, 1918. A previous requisition,
M-12, placed early in July, called for 5,000,000 yards of gauze. The contracts
actually placed, including overages, amounted to 115,535,000 yards.

Full shipping instructions were furnished showing the distribution to the
finishers of the gauze on this requisition. These shipping instructions indicated
the quantities of the different meshes to be shipped to the different finishers
and surgical dressing manufacturers and the rate at which they were to be
supplied. Inasmuch as experience with the last contracts placed by the
Medical Department had brought to light the use by the mills of a sizing
compound, which was practically insoluble and had rendered it very difficult
to effect a satisfactory bleach, the procuring bureau was advised of this
tendency and requested to have its inspectors constantly guard against it.

Difficulty was experienced in determining the quantities of gauze furnished
on these contracts. A careful compilation of all available data made at the
end of May, 1919, indicated the following as of that date: 23

Count

Required

Shipped

Balance

Yards

22, 702, (XXI

12, 785, (XX)

f>, 300, IXXI

73, 738, 000

Yards
0,019,719
4,780, 110
3. (i.'>3, 332
2H. 924, S28

Yards
13,082,281

28 bv 24

8,014,890

32 by 28

2, 64B, 668

44 by 40

44,813.472

Total 115,535,000 40,377,089 09,167,311

Ptrcrntagp _ | 100 42 H8

During the months in which the war had gone on in Europe there had
come into general use, among the Allies, a type of dressing known as front-line
packets. Prior to the entry of the United States into the war these packets
had been made in large numbers by the American National Red Cross and

548

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

supplied for the use of the allied troops. They were considered more coveni-
ent for the dressing of wounds than the standard first-aid packet. This was
largely due to the fact that the first-aid packet, as furnished by the Medical
Department, was intended primarily for the treatment of the wounds ordina-
rily produced by the high-velocity small-arms bullet. A great many of the
wounds incurred during the war were produced by shrapnel and fragments of
high-explosive shells. They were accordingly much larger than those produced
by the small arms and required a larger dressing. To meet these needs the
front-line packets were developed. These packets are described in detail else-
where (p. 320). As the time drew near for the entry of the United States forces
in large numbers into the zone of combat, the representatives of the Medical
Department in France reported that a large number of front-line packets and
other special dressings would be needed in the treatment of the wounded. 24
The Surgeon General was advised by cablegram on March 1, 1918, of the rela-
tive quantities of the different kinds of dressings required. 25 The quantities of
these special dressings requested are given below. 26

Number of dressings estimated as needed per month, March 1, to September 1, 1918

Packet No. 1 , red label

Packet Xo. 2, white label

Packet No. 3, blue label

Gauze rolls, (30 inches by 5 yards),
unsterile

Sponges:

Small size

Large size

Sterile dressing pads

Unsterile dressing pads:
Type 1—

Size 1

Size 2

Type 2—

Size 1

Size 2

Oakum pads:

Size 1

Size 2_. ...

Sphagnum moss dressing pads:

Size 1

Size 2

Sheet wadding or cotton batting. _

Bandages:

Gauze 3 inches by 5 yards

Quantity
600, 000
500, 000
400, 000

8,000

400, 000
350, 000
300, 000

200, 000
150, 000

75, 000
50, 000

5,000
5,000

6,000

6,000

800, 000

500, 000

Bandages — Continued.

Muslin, cut on the bias —

4 inches by 5 yards

5 inches by 5 yards

6 inches by 5 yards

Crinoline, 5 inches by 5 yards.

Supporting slings:

Size No. 1

Size No. 2_

Size No. 3

Rubber cloth supporting slings:

&s4 by 60 inches .

8 by 24 inches

Slings, 50 by 36 inches

The scultetus bandage

The many-tailed bandage

The anklet

The elbow traction band

The canvas hammock

Canvas swatches for use in connec-
tion with Bradford frames

Pneumonia jackets

Heel rings

Bags to contain shot-bag weights. _
Gauze rolls, 30 inches by 3 yards,
sterilized .

Quantity

500, 000
500, 000
500, 000
800, 000

5,000
5, 000
5,000

5,000
5,000

10, 000
5, 000
5,000
8,000

15, 000
2,000

7,000
5, 000
5,000
2, 000

10, 000

The Red Cross in the United States stated that the 5-yard gauze roll could
not be sterilized completely except by very high pressure. The opinion was
held that the 5-yard gauze rolls, if sent unsterilized should be so marked. It
was thought that a proportion of these rolls could be sterilized here and the
additional needs be met by substituting the 3-yard roll, which would be sent
sterilized.

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 549

The commanding general, A. E. F., urged a closer liaison and cooperation
between the Medical Department and the American Red Cross in supplies of this
sort provided for the American Expeditionary Forces. In the conference which
followed between the representatives of the Surgeon General and those of the
Red Cross in Washington, a working plan was adopted March 5, 1918, as
follows : 27

The Surgeon General of the Army to advise the Red Cross the number and assortment
of dressings required each month.

The dressings will be delivered to the Medical Department, f. o. b., New York, Boston,
Washington, Philadelphia, Atlanta, New Orleans, Cleveland, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver,
San Francisco, Seattle, and St. Louis, packed and marked for shipment in accordance with
instructions furnished by the Medical Department.

At the end of each month the Red Cross will advise the Medical Department of the
quantity of materials used in dressings delivered during the month, and the Medical
Department will turn over to the Red Cross a like quantity of materials in exchange
therefor.

Frequent conferences were held between the representatives of these two
services until the details of the plan had been perfected. Under this plan the
Medical Department placed with the Red Cross a request for the finished
dressings desired, and the Red Cross placed with the Medical Department
requisitions for materials required to prepare these dressings. The following
requisition for dressings was placed by the Medical Department with the Red
Cross March 8, 1918. 28

It is requested that the following supplies be prepared for early delivery:

Quantity

Packet No. 1, red label 600,000

Packet No. 2, white label 500,000

Packet No. 3, blue label 400,000

Gauze, roll:

5-yard .— 8,000

3-yard 10, 000

Sponges:

Small 400,000

Large 350, 000

Attention is invited to the following:

Packing. — Must be carefully done and must be suitable for overseas shipment.

Marking. — Each shipping package must be marked with a red cross 4 inches high and
with the words, "Medical Department, U. S. Army," in letters at least 1 inch high.

In addition to this marking each package must be marked as directed in the instructions
sent with the bill of lading.

Deliveri/. — No shipment to be made except on Government bill of lading furnished by
this office.

When shipments are ready this office should be notified and the following information
given:

(a) Exact location of supplies.

(b) Number of packages.

(c) Weight of each package.

(d) Cubic feet of space required by each package.

(e) Address to which bill of lading should be sent.

It is requested that a statement of the quantity of material used in making these supplies
be furnished this office, in order that replacement of the same may be accomplished in
in accordance with the arrangement heretofore made.

Quantity

Sterile dressing pads 300, 000

Unsterile dressing pads:
Type 1—

Size 1 200,000

Size 2 150,000

Type 2—

Sizel_-- 75,000

Size2 50,000

550 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The American Red Cross, in turn, placed with the Medical Department a
requisition for 4,000,000 yards of gauze to be delivered to 11 regional representa-
tives in the various cities throughout the United States. The quantities to be
delivered to each special representative varied from 150,000 yards at New
Orleans and Denver to 800,000 yards at New York. 29 Shipment of this gauze
was ordered by the Surgeon General on March 8. 30

The American Red Cross was requested to place an order with the Surgeon
General for the materials other than gauze required to make up a sufficient
number of the several kinds of dressings described, in the required proportions
of each kind, to exhaust the 4,000,000 yards of gauze furnished. The Red Cross
advised the Surgeon General on March 18, 1918, that the following articles
enumerated in the order already quoted, were available for immediate issue. 31
The other articles would necessarily have to be made up.

Gauze rolls, 5-yard 8,000 Unsterile dressing pads:

Sponges: Type 1 — Size 1 200,000

Large 350,000 Size 2 150,000

Small 400,000 Type 2— Size 1 75,000

Sterile dressing pads 300,000 Size 2 50,000

The quantities of materials required to supplement the 4,000,000 yards of gauze in
proportion of these dressings were estimated to be:

Absorbent cotton pounds__ 184, 508

Nonabsorbent cotton do 93, 805

Muslin yards . _ 657, 000

It was desired that these front-line packets be properly identified. It was
considered appropriate that the Medical Department receive credit in the minds
of the users for its share in the preparation of the dressings. To insure facility
in warehousing and distribution it was necessary that the packing cases be
properly marked. To accomplish this end, request was made to the American
Red Cross to cause the following instructions to be issued: 32

Packing cases should be marked on one side with a red cross 4 inches high and the
words "Medical Department, U. S. Army — From A. R. C," in letters at least 1 inch high.

On each end of the box the contents should be plainly stenciled. Thus, " 115 dressing
pads, type 1, size 2."

When shipping instructions are received from this office the other markings required,
as specified herein, also should be stenciled on the box.

No other marks whatsoever should appear on the cases.

Packages of dressings or other supplies contained in a packing case or other container
should bear labels or be stamped with the words " Material provided by the Medical
Department, U. S. Army — prepared by American Red Cross." The name of the chapter
may also be given if deemed advisable.

Kind or type of dressing or other articles. Tims, " 25 sponges, large, 4 in. by 4 in."

The front-line packets and other dressings on this order could not be prop-
erly sterilized by the various chapters of the Red Cross at which they were
made. It became necessary to secure facilities for sterilizing them before
shipment to France. After an extensive survey of the situation it was decided
to have these packets sterilized in New York City, or its immediate vicinity.
The Medical Department was fortunate at this time in finding an idle plant
formerly devoted to the manufacture of ligatures. It was found that this plant

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 551

was equipped adequately with sterilizers to effect the sterilizing of the packets.
Accordingly, arrangements were made to ship all the first-line packets to this
plant, where they were sterilized and packed for ocean shipment. 33 A method
of packing was devised in a very short time whereby the package could he
placed in bales under moderate pressure and covered with burlap, instead of
being packed in boxes. 34 By means of this change a material saving was made
in the cubic space of shipment. At first some difficulty was experienced in
securing a steady flow of these front-line packets from the various chapters to
the plant where they were to be sterilized. 35 After the system had been in
operation for a few weeks this difficulty was overcome, and a steady flow of
these packets to France was assured. The medical supply officer in New York
was authorized to furnish to the plant sterilizing the packets such quantities
of waterproof paper, burlap, and other materials as might be necessary from
time to time in the sterilizing of the packets and in their preparation for ship-
ment abroad. 36

A further request, omitted from the original orders, was placed with the
American Red Cross, May 3, 1918, for the following items in the quantities
mentioned, per month for the ensuing six months: 37

Oakum pads:

Size 1 5,000

Size 2 5,000

Sphagnum-moss pads:

Elbow traction bands 15,000

Many tailed bandages 5,000

Pneumonia jackets 5,000

Scultetus bandages 5,000

Size 1 6, 000 | Supporting slings:

Size 2 6,000 I Size 1 5,000

Bags for shot-bag weights 2,000, Size 2 5,000

Heel rings 5, 000 Size 3 5,000

Before shipment of the sphagnum-moss dressings to France began they
were tested out in Army general hospitals. 38 Information concerning them
was sought from surgeons who had used them in civilian hospitals. These
reports varied as to the suitability of this substance for dressings. The
principal objection was the manner in which small particles like leaves shook
out of the containers, scattered over the remainder of the dressings and gave
an untidy appearance. To obviate this, layers of absorbent cotton were used
in conjunction with the moss. 39 Other hospitals did not consider the objections
material and used the moss for surgical dressings with varying degrees of
satisfaction. Having been requested by the medical staff of the American
Expeditionary Forces, these dressings were supplied in the quantities requested. 40
The material was cheap and its use relieved the cotton situation by that much.
The moss was found in large quantities in some of the Northwestern States
and in Canada.

In the list of contents of the front-line packets, as originally furnished from
France, there were 18,000,000 bandages cut on the bias. These bandages
varied in width from 4 inches, in front-line packet No. 1, to 6 inches in width,
in the front line packets No. 3. Two bandages in these packets seemed
unnecessary. Accordingly, instructions were given on April 27, 1918, to reduce
the number of bandages in each front-line parcel to one. Not only did the two
seem unnecessary, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to secure a sufficient

552

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

quantity of material for making the bandages. It was found necessary practi-
cally to commandeer the looms of certain mills in the United States to get the
muslin necessary to make up the bandages authorized. It was believed that
if a greater number of muslin bandages was required at the front than one in
each front-line packet, they could be furnished separately. Five hundred
thousand of each size were sent monthly in addition to those in the packets. 41
To provide the necessary muslin for these front-line packets, muslin bandages,
and other special dressings, 2,098,000 yards of muslin were purchased in March 42
and an order for 5,000,000 yards more placed with the cotton goods section of
the Quartemaster General's Office on April 8, 1918. 43

The introduction of the muslin bandage involved the finding or the develop-
ment of new facilities for their production. The various surgical dressings
manufacturers making gauze bandages were working at top speed to produce
them. Very few of them had either space or facilities for taking on muslin
bandages in addition to their other work. It became necessary, therefore, to
find facilities elsewhere. Fortunately, about this time certain industries had
either passed into the classification of nonessentials or their business had fallen
off to such an extent that they were desirous of undertaking war work. A large
embroidery manufacturer in New Jersey expressed a desire to undertake the
manufacture of bandages and quoted prices which proved satisfactory. Upon
investigation this plant was found adequate for the purpose. 44

By the end of October, 1918, practically the entire requirements for the
American Expeditionary Forces in the special types of dressings, already enu-
merated, had been met. No difficulty was anticipated for future requirements.

The quantities of these special dressings actually shipped to the American
Expeditionary Forces, France, were: 45

Quantities of special dressings shipped to France March to August inclusive, 1918

Packet No. 1, red label 1, 268, 500

Packet No. 2, white label .

570, 618

Packet No. 3, blue label _„.

535, 688

Gauze roll:

Unsterile, 5-vard

56, 905

3-vard rolls .

17, 672

Sponges:

Small size, 2 by 2 inches . .

.. 2

405, 625

Large size, 4 by 4 inches- .

._ 2

106, 175

Sterile dressing pads

2

174,310

Unsterile dressing pads:

Type 1—

Size 1

696, 111

Size 2 . ...

551, 865

Type 2—

Size 1

217,781

Size 2 .

160, 370

Sphagnum-moss dressing pads:

Size 1

Size 2

Rubber cloth supporting slings:
5*4 by 60 inches ._

8 by 24 inches

Scultetus bandages

Many-tailed bandages

Anklets, canvas

Canvas hammocks, 20 by 48

inches

Canvas swathes for Bradford

frames

Pneumonia jackets

4,000
4,000

30, 000
30, 000
31,200
40, 500
50, 000

12, 000

42, 000
14, 4S3

SUBSTITUTE MATERIALS FOR SURGICAL DRESSINGS

During the early months of 1918 considerable doubt was entertained that
the quantity of cotton available would be sufficient to meet the requirements
for textiles of all sorts and for surgical dressings. Investigations were institu-
ted by various agencies looking toward the development of a substitute material

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES ANT) EQUIPMENT 553

for surgical dressings. Among the substitutes offered for cotton was a prepara-
tion of wood fiber rendered absorbent and produced under the title "cellu-
cotton." 46 In order to determine its merits a considerable quantity of this
material was purchased and distributed to the various general and base hospitals
throughout the United States, with instructions to give it a thorough trial and
report to the Surgeon General on its merits. Reports received on this substance
were for the most part favorable. Its absorbency was better than the absorb-
ent cotton furnished. For dressings intended primarily to absorb fluid it was
fairly satisfactory. However, since it was apt to become hard and uncomfort-
able when saturated, for general use in the hospital it proved advisable to limit
its use; then it proved entirely satisfactory. 47 As a result of these reports the
material was purchased in large quantities and distributed to hospitals for use
as a substitute for absorbent cotton in all those conditions for which it was
found suitable.

The difficulty in providing an adequate quantity of absorbent gauze led to
the development of a type of gauze known as "re-use knitted gauze." This
material came in much the same form as knitted cotton underwear. It was
formed into a number of shapes which could be readily washed and sterilized
for re-use. Forms for drying and forming of units after washing had been
devised. Tests of the material were made at several of the general hospitals
and found satisfactory. Accordingly, in April, 1918, 100 pounds of re-use
knitted gauze were sent to 20 large hospitals. With this gauze was furnished
an electric washing machine and a three-form aluminum steam diying and
forming unit complete. The results obtained at these hospitals were satisfac-
tory and the use of the material was extended to 41 other hospitals, making a
total of 61 in all. Enlisted personnel at these hospitals were trained in the use
of the washing machine and the drying and forming outfit, and the work was
carried on satisfactorily. 48 In some of the hospitals conservation of gauze was
effected by washing the gauze in the washing machine furnished for the re-use
knitted gauze and drying it on the steam drying and forming unit, after which
it was resterilized and used again in the same manner as it was ordinarily used.
This materially reduced the quantity of surgical gauze used at these hospitals
and a great saving was effected.

SUTURES

The materials from which the sutures used by the Medical Department
are manufactured are catgut, horsehair, kangaroo tendon, linen, silk, silkworm
gut, and silver wire. The sutures made from these materials are manufactured
according to standard commercial practices. They all come in a number of
different sizes. The variation in the size of horsehair is the least of all ligatures.
Inasmuch as the form in which horsehair is used for sutures is that in which it
is produced by nature, varieties in size can be obtained only by sorting the hair
as it is cut from the tail of the horse. All the other forms of sutures can be
made in any size required.

The sutures listed in the standard medical supply table of 1916, and used
as the basis for purchase during the years 1917, 1918, are as follows: 49

554 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Sutures for field use:

Catgut —

Chromicized, sterilized, 18 inches each, 3 sizes in package.
Plain, sterilized, IS inches each, 3 sizes in package.

Silk, braided, sterilized, 18 inches each, 3 sizes in package.

Silkworm gut, 100 strands in coil.

Silver wire, in yard lengths.
Sutures for hospital use:

Catgut, plain or chromicized, sterilized, 18 inches in tube, assorted sizes.

Horsehair, 100 in coil.

Kangaroo tendon, sterile, 1 suture in each tube.

Silk, braided, sterilized, IS inches each, 3 sizes in package.

Silkworm gut, 100 in coil.

Silver wire, in yard lengths.
Sutures for veterinary use:

Linen, sterilized, IS inches each, 2 sizes (Nos. 16 and 20) in package.

Silk braided, sizes 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, on spools.

Tape, sterilized, IS inches each, 2 pieces in package.

CATGUT

Catgut sutures ordinarily come in six sizes, fine to coarse — Nos. 00, 0, 1,2,
3, and 4. They are made from either domestic or imported catgut. The
domestic gut is considered superior quality and preferable in color. The
material is obtained from the packing houses, cut into strips of such width as
will give the proper size, rolled or twisted, and dried. Catgut in commerce
usually comes in coils of 100 feet. 50 In preparing it for sutures all fatty material
is removed by digesting the coils in ether or other fat solvent. After the fat
has been removed the coils are cut into the desired lengths, placed in glass
tubes of appropriate size and length, sterilized, the appropriate preserving fluid
added, and a slip of paper indicating the size and whether plain or chromicized
inserted in the tube. The tube is then sealed and again sterilized by fractional
sterilization until complete sterility is assured. The methods of preparing and
sterilizing the gut and the preserving fluid vary with each manufacturer.
Exact specifications covering the mode of procedure could not well be prepared
owing to its variations of methods. The specification for plain catgut ligatures
adopted in May, 1918, after prolonged study and investigation, are given
below : 51

Specifications for Plain Sterile Catgut

Material. — To be best quality catgut ligatures prepared from the small intestines of
sheep, evenly split, freed from all but submucous connective tissue, bleached, uniformly
twisted, dried, and perfectly smooth. Each strand of catgut to be sterile, and each is to be
tubed with a sufficient amount of an acceptable storing fluid to cover the coil when the tube
is held vertical.

Length. — Each strand of sterile catgut shall measure not less than 18 inches in length.

Gauge. — The gauge of strands shall be in accordance with measurements indicated for
the following sizes:
Size No. —

00 to equal Brown & Sharpe gauge 27.

to equal Brown & Sharpe gauge 26.

1 to equal Brown & Sharpe gauge 25.

2 to equal Brown & Sharpe gauge 24.

3 to equal Brown & Sharpe gauge 23.

4 to equal Brown & Sharpe gauee 22.

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 555

The diameter to be taken in tliree places, at each end and in the middle. At least
two of these diameters must agree, the diameters in agreement giving the strand its gauge.

Tensile strength. — The tensile strength for the different sizes of sterile catgut shall not
be less than the number of pounds designated for sizes below:

Size No. — Pounds Size No. — Pounds

00 3 2 12

5 3 16

1 9 4 20

All tensile-strength tests will be straight pull to rupture at least a 4-inch length of cat-
gut without bend or knot. The average of 6 tests will indicate the strength of the material.

Pliability, plasticity, boilability, tubes, labels, coils. — The pliability of sterile catgut
ligatures when removed from the tube shall be such as to allow its use as a suture without
previous moistening. The ligature must show a normal amount of elasticity or tendon.
Tubes shall be made from clear, clean glass tubing selected for quality and uniformity of
wall diameter; tubes when sealed to measure about 2J4 inches in length and fs inch out-
side diameter. Each tube to have engraved at or near its center a straight fracture mark
of uniform depth and widtli and to measure in length not less than one-third the circum-
ference of tube; the tube shall break evenly at the fracture mark without splintering. Each
strand of catgut shall be evenly coiled and, without twist, introduced into the glass tube in
a manner to allow the top loop of the coil to be even with the fracture mark. One free end
of the ligature shall pass beyond the coil and fracture mark; this to facilitate removal of
the ligature from tube. Each tube to contain one strand of sterile catgut in tubing fluid as
specified and printed label showing the kind and size of the contents and the name of the
manufacturer. Entire contents to be sterile and final sterilization to be done after both ends
of tube have been sealed by fusion. The tubes to be boilable for one-half hour without
harm to the tubes or contents.

Packing. — Tubes to be furnished in strong, flat paper boxes containing 10 tubes packed
in a single row; each box to be properly lined with corrugated paper or furnished with other
acceptable device to prevent breaking; each box to be plainly labeled with the kind and
size and number of contents and the name of the manufacturer and bear the words "Medi-
cal Department, U.S.A." One hundred such boxes to be inclosed in an outer heavy paper
box bearing a similar label. Package to be marked with kind and number of contents and
name of manufacturer. All paper packages to be packed in strong wooden boxes suitable
for distant shipments, each plainly stenciled on one end with the name and number of con-
tents and the name of the contractor.

The specification for chromieized catgut were practically identical with those
for the plain sterile catgut, with the following addition and modification; under
the heading "Material" the following sentence was added: 51

The catgut to be chromieized by a method of treating the potassium or sodium dichro-
mate which will yield finished ligatures free from undesirable products of chromium. The
absorbability of the chromic ligatures must approximate the time indicated on the label.

The heading "Length" was changed as follows:

Length. — Eacli strand of sterile chromieized catgut shall measure not less than 18 inches
in length.

During the year 1917 no material difficulty was experienced in procuring
a quantity of catgut sutures adequate to meet the requirements. In conformity
with the procedure then in vogue a meeting of the manufacturers of sutures
was held in New York, May 4, 1917, at which 10 manufacturers were present. 52
At this conference prices were discussed and the requirements of the Army and
Navy presented. The various types of sutures were apportioned to the manu-
facturers present at this conference. 52 The prices agreed upon at this conference

556 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

seemed rather high. The price paid for catgut, chromic, 3 sizes in a package,
in the purchase in March, was 9}^ cents per package. For catgut, plain, the
price was 8}4 cents a package. The conference price was 12 cents a package.
The price paid in November, 1917, for the same materials was 7J/£ cents per
package. It was found that catgut in tubes, of good quality, could be had in
the market in 60-inch lengths, at 9 cents per tube, and the officer in charge of
the medical supply depot at New York refused to pay more than 9 cents per
tube. This refusal caused some friction with one of the manufacturers, who
contended that the material could not be furnished at that price, stating that
the raw gut cost 8j/§ cents per tube and that the cost of preparation exceeded
the cost of the raw gut. 50 Prices following this first purchase, which was made
in June, 1917, eased up materially.

By the middle of 1918, however, the quantity of catgut sutures required
had reached such magnitude that it was difficult to meet requirements. Every
manufacturer was called upon to furnish practically his maximum output. A
thorough canvass was made during the summer and fall of 1918 of the methods
of preparing and sterilizing catgut sutures. As a result of these investigations
some doubt was had by the inspectors concerning the sterility of the product. 53
Arrangements were made by the surgical board in the Surgeon General's Office
to have tests for sterility conducted under its supervision at Chicago, New York,
and Boston, and a definite plan to this end was worked out near the end of
Octoher, 1918. 54 Before it could be placed into effect, however, the armistice
had been signed and the urgency of the need for sutures passed.

HORSEHAIR

Horsehair sutures are not much used in Army surgical practice and no
large quantities were purchased. They are selected, undyed, black horsehair,
cut from the tail of the horse. The early purchases in 1917 called for 13,500
coils, 56 100 hairs in coil.

KANGAROO TENDON

Kangaroo tendon is much less used in military surgery than catgut and
was accordingly procured in smaller quantities. In order that a standard
suture, both as to size and quality, might be purchased, and for the benefit of
the personnel called upon to make inspection, the following specifications were
adopted in May, 1918: 51

Specification for Kangaroo Tendon Sutures

Material. — To be tendons from the tail of a kangaroo, free from other tissue, blood, etc.,
and very soft so a knot can be tightly tied. Each strand of kangaroo tendon to be sterile
and eacli to be tubed with chloroform or other acceptable fluid in sufficient amount to cover
the coil when the tube is held vertical.

Length. — Each strand of sterile kangaroo tendon upon removal from the tube shall
measure not less than 12 inches in length.

Gauge. — The size in diameter of the strand shall be uniform and approximately of the
measure indicated for the following sizes:

Fine, to equal Brown & Sharpe gauge 26.
Medium, to equal Brown & Sharpe gauge 24.
Coarse, to equal Brown & Sharpe gauge 22.
Extra coarse, to equal Brown & Sharpe gauge 20.

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 557

The diameter to be taken in three places, at each end and in the middle. At least two
of these diameters must agree, the diameters in agreement giving the strand its gauge.

Tubes, labels, coils. — Tubes shall be made of clear, clean glass tubing selected for quality
and uniformity of wall diameter, tubes when sealed to measure about 2J4 inches in length
and ys inch outside diameter. Each tube to have engraved at or near its center a straight
fracture mark of uniform depth and width, and to measure in length not less than one-third
the circumference of the tube; the tube shall break exactly at the fracture mark without
splitting. Each strand of kangaroo tendon shall be evenly coiled and, without twist, intro-
duced into the glass tube in a manner to allow the top loop of the coil to be even with the
fracture mark. One free end of the ligature shall pass beyond the coil and fracture mark,
this to facilitate removal of ligature from tube. Each tube to contain one strand of sterile
kangaroo tendon in tubing fluid, as specified, and a printed label showing the kind and size
of the contents and the name of the manufacturer. Entire contents to be sterile and final
sterilization to be done after both ends of tubes have been sealed by fusion. The tubes to
be boilable in water for one-half hour without harm to the tube or its contents.

Packing. — Tubes to be furnished in a single row in strong flat paper boxes containing
10 tubes each, each box to be properly lined with corrugated paper or furnished with other
acceptable device to prevent breaking; each box to be plainly labeled with kind and size
and number of contents, and the name of the manufacturer, and bear the words " Medical
Department, U. S. A." One hundred such boxes to be inclosed in an outer heavy paper box
bearing a similar label. Packages to be marked with kind and number of contents and
name of manufacturer. All paper packages to be packed in strong wooden boxes suitable
for distant shipment, each plainly stenciled on one end with the name and number of
contents and the name of the contractor.

SILK

Silk sutures in the trade come in a large number of sizes. There are two
types of silk sutures, the twisted and the braided. The smaller sizes of the silk
sutures are almost always the twisted variety. The medium sizes are both
twisted and braided. The larger sizes are almost entirely of the braided
variety. The Medical Department uses the braided variety in three sizes —
small, medium, and large. Still larger sizes are issued for veterinary use. The
sutures for human use are put up three sizes on a card inclosed in an impervi-
ous wrapping and placed in an envelope. They are also furnished a single size
on an individual card, inclosed in an individual wrapping, and the three of
these, one of each size, inclosed in an envelope. Silk sutures for veterinary
use are furnished unsterilized on spools.

SILKWORM GUT SUTURES

These sutures are used both in the field and in fixed hospitals. As pur-
chased, they ordinarily come assorted sizes in the package. During the war
they were purchased, fine, medium, and coarse, and only one size in a package.
During the early purchases considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining
the Army requirements. This was due largely to the fact that the majority of
silk worm gut is made in Spain and transportation was not available. After
the transportation service had become better organized in 1918, less difficulty
was experienced in securing the quantities required. At the request of the
chief surgeon, A. E. F., on August 5, 1918, 50 an order was placed for the delivery
from Spain, direct to the American Expeditionary Forces, of 100,000 coils of
silkworm gut sutures. These sutures were purchased for delivery in Paris.

558

FINANCE AND SUPPLY
Sutures purchased during 1917-18

Sutures

I'nit

Catgut, ehromicized:

60-inch length in mix' I Tube

18-ineh length in tube ...do

Catgut, plain, sterilized:

60-inch length in tube __ ...do

18-inch length in tube.. -do

Silk braided, sterilized, 3 sizes in package. Package -

Catgut, plain, sterilized, IS inch, 3 sizes in '
package - ..do

Silkworm gut, 100 strands in coil Coil

Silver wire, in yard lengths Yards ...

Kancaroo tendon, sterilized, 1 suture in
tube Tube

Linen, sterilized, 18 inch, 2 sizes, Nos. 16
and 20, in package Package

Silk braided, sizes 4,8,12, 10,20:

Ounce on spool Spool

H ounce on spool i...do

25 yards on spool. ...-do

Tape, sterilized, 18-inch, 2 pieces in package. Package .

Unit prices

Quantitic

High

$0 135
.06

.095

.06

.12

. 135
1.00

. 15

.105

.05

2.00
1.30

$0.0!)
.035

.00
. 0325
. 0433

. 0725
.28

. 0475

Average Ordered

$0 1017
.0494

.0904
.0434
. 06403

.1121
. 655
.0856

. 05H . 0735

. 05 . 05

2. 00 2. 00
.80 .970

. 25 . 3978

. 045 . 047

2.287,147
7, 490, 000

1,529,500
11,735,000
3, 140, 000

870,000
820, 474
250, 600

1,013,000

48,100

2,000

8,000

41, 151

30,000

Delivered

1,359,808
3,391,204

881,802
5, 189, 054
2,508,370

870,000
815, 474
250, 600

702, 920

48,100

2,000

8,000

41,151

30, 000

$138,341.72
167, 668. 26

79, 733. 78
225,561.00
160,619.31

97, 575. 00
534,313.28
21,308.38

51,718.87

2. 405. 00

4,000.00

7,800.00

28, 312. 00

1,410.00

6. 60

(8)

(9)

395
u., 1

REFERENCES

(1) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1916. Supply Tables.

(2) Report of Committee on Industrial Preparedness, American Drug Manufacturers' Asso-

ciation, Annual Convention, New York, N. Y., January 29-30, 1918. Copy on file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.

(3) Computed from records on file in Medical Section, New York General Intermediate

Depot.

(4) Contract dated June 23, 1917, between Col. C. R. Darnall, M. C, and Johnson & John-

son, New Brunswick, N. J., for surgical dressings. Copy on file in Field Medical
Supply Depot records stored in Medical Section, New York General Depot.

(5) Letter from Henry P. Kendall, Norwood, Mass., to Lieut. Col. H. C. Fisher, Surgeon

General's Office, August 11, 1917, relative to progress in production of surgical dress-
ings. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G.

(6) Letter from Narragansett Mills, Fall River, Mass., to Col. C. R. Darnall, Washington,

D. C, September 24, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., |j-

(7) Letter from Henry P. Kendall, Norwood, Mass., to Col. C. R. Darnall, Surgeon Gen-

eral's Office, October 22, 1917, relative to priority certificates. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., ^ — : '■■

Letter from Dr. H. C. Loris, formerly Chairman of Manufacturers of Surgical Dress-
ings, New York, N. Y., to Col. C. R. Darnall, S. G. O., November 27, 1917, relative
to disbanding of Association of Manufacturers of Surgical Dressings, organized under
Council of National Defense. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.
445 H. C. L.
1

Letler from Col. C. R. Darnall, S. G. O., to Mr. Henry P. Kendall, Lewis Manufac-
turing Co., Walpole, Mass., November 28, 1917, relative to purchase of gauze. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.

437 L. M. C.

(10)

Letter from Henry P. Kendall, Norwood, Mass., to Col. C. R. Darnall, S. G. O., Novem-
ber 30, 1917, relative to negotiations for gauze. On file, Finance and Supply Divi-

_, „ 533 N. D.

sion, S. G. O., 2g- g

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 559

(11) Letter from Henry P. Kendall, New York City, to Col. C. R. Darnall, S. G. O.,

November 27, 1917, relative to prospective negotiations for gauze. On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., '„''-'■

(12) Letter from Mr. Albert L. Scott, Committee on Supplies, Cotton Goods Section, War

Industries Board to Col. C. R. Darnall, S. G. O., December 6, 1917, relative to

purchase of gauze. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. 0., — „^ — '-■

(13) Letter from Mr. H. P. Kendall, Lewis Manufacturing Co., Walpole, Mass., to Col.

C. R. Darnall, S. G. O., December 15, 1917, relative to apportionment of surgical
dressings to manufacturers. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
437 L. M. Co.
8

(14) Letter from Col. Darnall, S. G. O., to Messrs. Holbrook, McCormick, and Kendall

(no address), February 9, 1918, relative to gauze requirements. On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^ '-■

(15) Letter from the Surgeon General to the section on cotton goods, Quartermaster

General's Office, attention Mr. Holbrook, February 16, 1918. Subject: Orders for
gray goods for surgical dressings. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
750-594 Q. M. G.
94

(16) Letter from Mr. H. P. Kendall, Norwood, Mass., to Col. C. R. Darnall, S. G. O.,

relative to purchase of gauze. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
395 H . P. K.
7

(17) Letter from Mr. J. E. Osborn, Chairman, Merchants' Manufacturing Co., Fall River,

Mass., to Col. C. R. Darnall, April 9, 1918, relative to contracts and prices for

gauze. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — =

(18) Purchases of gauze, General Purchasing Officer, Medical Department, U. S. Army.

Revised April 27, 1918.

(19) Letter from Alex Legge, Raw Materials Division, War Industries Board, to Mr. E. R.

Stettinius, Surveyor General of Purchases, March 15, 1918, relative to requisitions

for gauze being placed by the Government. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

„ _ n 533 Misc.
8.G.O., 66 - •

(20) Memo from Edw. R. Stettinius, Surveyor General of Supplies, for Col. Darnall, Medical

Department, March 16, 1918, forwarding letter from Mr. Legge. On file, Finance

, „ , t~.- • ■ o ^. ^ o33 Misc. ,
and Supply Division, S. G. O., ™

(21) First indorsement, Surgeon General, to Mr. E. R. Stettinius, Surveyor General of Pur-

chases, War Department, March 19, 1918, relative to purchases of gauze. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 533Misc.

bo

(22) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, General Purchasing Office,

Washington, July 30, 1918. Subject: Interbureau requisitions for dressing material.

yen 7 1 J. ^ (~*

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., asl '"

(23) Report compiled by Maj. F. W. Lennox, San. Corps, U. S. Army, May 29, 1919. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ggj

(24) Letter from the Chief Surgeon, A. E. F., to the Surgeon General, January 26, 1918.

Subject: Surgical Dressings. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G.O., — ~o* * '

(25) Par. 3, Cable No. 660, H. A. E. F. to The Adjutant General, February 28, 1918, received

March 1, 1918.

560 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(26) Letter from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to the Surgeon General, February 28, 1918.

Subject: Standard Surgical dressings. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

S. G. V., 236

(27) Letter from the Surgeon General to Mr. Harvey D. Gibson, General Manager, A. R. C,

March 8, 1918, relative to surgical dressings. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

s. g. o., mj^c,.

(28) Order No. 1 from the Surgeon General to the American Red Cross, March 8, 1918,

for surgical dressings. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - - -'„

(29) Order No. W-1055, American Red Cross, March 2, 1918, to the Surgeon General's

Office, for 4,000,000 yards gauze. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
602 A . R. C.
78

(30) Letter from Col. Darnall to Mr. Harvey D. Gibson, A. R. C, March 8, 1918, relative

to supplies for surgical dressings. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
602 A. R. C.
~T8

(31) Letter from the American Red Cross, to the Surgeon General, March 18, 1918, relative

to surgical dressings. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. 0.. \L ' ■

(32) Letter from the Surgeon General to the General Manager, American Red Cross,

March 22, 1918. Subject: Marking of supplies made for the Medical Department
by the American Red Cross. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
602 A. R. C.
78

(33) Letter from Col. C. R. Darnall, S. G. O., to Messcrs. Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick,

N. J., April 1, 1918, relative to sterilization of front-line packets. On file, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. O., 3 J^|AjL.

(34) Telegram from John A. Hartwell, A. R. C, New York, N. Y. to Col. C. R. Darnall, S. G. O.

April 17, 1918, relative to baling front-line packets. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. 0., 7^3-539 N. Y.

596

(35) Letterfrom Associate director, Bureau of Stores, American Red Cross, Washington, D. C,

to Messers. Van Horn and Sawtelle, 511 East One-hundred and sixty-fourth Street,
New York City, June 25, 1918, relative to front-line parcels. Copy on file, Finance

and Supplv Division, S. G. O., --,?:-—.

13o

(36) First indorsement, Surgeon General's office to the officer in charge, Medical Supply

Depot, New York, September 10, 1918, relative to packing material for front-line

packets. On file, Finance and Supplv Division, S. G. O., 713 ' 53 ^ [£ ■ Y - D .

o9()

(37) Letter from the Surgeon General to the American Red Cross, National Headquarters.

Washington, D. C, May 3, 1918, relative to surgical dressings. On file Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., 602 ^ C \

(38) Letter from Col. C. R. Darnall, M. C, S. G. O., to Major John A. Hartwell, M. C.

44 East Twenty-third Street, New York, April 6, 1918, relative to sphagnum-moss
dressings, On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 602 R - C \

(39) Letter from chief of surgical service, U. S. A. General Hospital No. 1, New York City

to the commanding officer, May 14, 1918. Subject: Report substitutes for absorbent
cotton for surgical dressings. On file, Finance and Supplv Division S G O

602 R.J}. " '

107

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 561

(40) Letter from Maj. John A. Hartwell, M. C, 44 East Twenty-third Street, New York,

City, to Col. C. R. Darnall, M. C, S. G. 0., May 23, 1918, relative to use of
sphagnum-moss dressings. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
602jYJL C.
107

(41) Letter from Col. C. It. Darnall, M. C, S. G. O., to Maj. John A. Hartwell, M. C, 44

East Twenty-third Street, New York, April 27, 1918, relative to bandages in front

flO*? U U
line packets. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — yy^ — '■•

(42) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Supply and equipment division, cotton goods

branch, Quartermaster General's Office, March 20, 1918. Subject: Sheetings. On

«i j?- i a i tv ■• a o n 750-594 A. G.

file, Finance and Supplv Division, S. G. O., ,-^-= — — .

105

(43) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Acting Quartermaster Genera], supply and

equipment division, cotton goods section, April 8, 1918. Subject: Unbleached muslin.

On file, Finance and Supplv Division, S. G. O., =-| '-■

15

(44) Correspondence between the Surgeon General's Office and the Camden Curtain &

Embroidery Co., Camden X. J., during March, 1918, relative to the manufacture
of bias muslin bandages. On file, Finance and Supplv Division, S. G. O..
122 C. C. & E. Co.
1

(45) Reply to Courier Cable S-102, par. 3, S. O. S., A. E. F., relative to quantities of

special surgical dressings. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
250 France
523

(46) Correspondence between the Surgical Division, S. G. O., and the Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., during February, 1918, relative to substitutes for cotton. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., tttj — '- — '-■

(47) Correspondence between the Surgeon General's Office and various base hospitals at

training camps, February to April, 1918, inclusive. Subject: Cellucotton. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G O., rj^j — '-■

(48) Correspondence between the Surgical Division, S. G. O., and Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., during April and May, 1918, relative to re-use knitted gauze and
reclamation of surgical dressings. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
531 Misc.
10

(49) Manual for the Medical Department, U. S. Army, 1916, corrected to June 15, 1918,

pp. 285, 254, 33.

(50) Letter from Davis & Geek (Inc.), Brooklyn N. Y., to Lieut. Col. Hartsock, Medical

Supply Depot, New York, August 10, 1917, relative to award of sutures. On file,

„. . a . 174 D. &G. Inc.
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — — ;

(51) Letter from the Surgeon General to officer in charge, Medical Supplv Depot, New York,

June 15, 1918. Subject: Specifications for sterile chromicized catgut. On file,

«-■ jo i tv ■ • a n r> 7 13-539 N. Y.
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., y-^a

(52) Minutes of Meeting of Subcommittee on Ligatures held at 100 William St., New

York, N. Y., May 4, 1917, at 4:15 p. m. On file, Finance and Supply Division.
„ „ „ 174 D. &G. Inc.

O. tjr. U., z

30663—28 36

562 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(53) Letter from officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, N. Y., to the Surgeon General,

October 22, 1918. Subject: I'nsterile catgut. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
713-759 N. Y.

s. g.o., 1067 -•

(54) Letter from the Acting Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, October 26, 1918. Subject: Catgut. On file, Finance and Supply

_ . . . a „ _. 713-7 59 N. Y.

Division, S. G. O., ,tt^

1Uo7

(55) Letter from E. F.Sawtelle, 15-17 East 40th Street, New York, Chairman Subcommittee,

Class 2, Surgical Dressings, to Davis & Geek, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., calling a
meeting of manufacturers of sutures. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
„ _, -. 174 D. &G. Inc.

o. Ijr. U., = •

(56) Par. 7, Cable No. 1557, August 4, 1918, H. A. E. F. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., Cables Received Book.

CHAPTER XXXVI

STERILIZING APPARATUS

STANDARD SURGICAL DRESSINGS STERILIZER

The selection of a suitable type of sterilizer for surgical dressings that
would he needed in our many military hospitals presented a matter of consid-
erable importance to the supply division of the Surgeon General's Office upon
our entrance into the World War. A few electrically heated sterilizing outfits
had been purchased for Army hospitals during the years 1910-1916. Due to lack
of attention on the part of the operatives, these outfits were a source of annoy-
ance to the supply division. In consequence of this experience and of reports
from civilian hospitals, it was decided to limit the sterilizing apparatus for the
large fixed hospitals during the World War to those using high-pressure steam.
With each set of sterilizing apparatus, as a part of it, there was furnished a
steam boiler of suitable size and of the vertical submerged-tube type. The
apparatus furnished at first were equipped with a 6-horsepower boiler of this
type. It soon became evident that a large-sized boiler was required, and
subsequent outfits were provided with 10 or 12 horsepower boilers. It was
desirable to install large sterilizing chambers, or disinfectors, for the disinfection
of mattresses and bed linen. While the 6-horsepower boiler could provide
steam for either the sterilizing set or the disinfector when operating alone, it
was inadequate when both were operating simultaneously. The large-sized
boiler, while using but little more fuel, satisfactorily met these requirements.

In compiling the list of apparatus for sterilizing outfits for the camp hos-
pitals, it was decided to limit it to the following pieces and sizes, all sterilizers
to be suitably mounted on separate stands or in groups on one or two stands: 1
One 16 by 36 inch dressing sterilizer, or one of approximately equal capacity;
1 pair of 25-gallon water sterilizers complete with filter; one 20 by 20 by 24
inch utensil sterilizer; one 7 by 12 by 22 inch instrument sterilizer; One
6-horsepower steam boiler; one set of piping.

The sizes selected were standard commercial sizes, and no difficulty in their
manufacture was anticipated. Such delays as might arise would be those
incident to securing raw materials and semifinished parts and the time required
for the manufacture of the apparatus. No maker of sterilizer apparatus was
equipped to draw r the shells of the water sterilizers. These shells are of brass
and to draw them requires special skill and apparatus. They were obtained
from one or two firms equipped to draw them.

In April, 1917, five or six firms in the United States were making sterilizer
outfits. Each of these firms had a design of its own. While all w T ere of the
same general type, they differed in minor details of manufacture. On April
15, 1917, these manufacturers met in Washington and appointed a committee

563

564 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

on sterilizing apparatus to develop standard specifications and plans for
production. 1 Specifications, prepared by a subcommittee appointed for the
purpose, were considered and adopted on the following day. These specifications
were sufficiently general to cover the apparatus commonly made by the
several manufacturers. They were as follows: 1

Specification for Sterilizers
(United States Army medical supply depot)

Each sterilizing outfit to consist of the following:
One 16 by 36 dressing sterilizer.

One pair 25-gallon, capacity each, water sterilizers complete with filter.
One 20 by 20 by 24 untensil sterilizer.
One 7 by 12 by 22 instrument sterilizer.
One 6-horsepower steam boiler
One set of piping.
The following detailed specifications are to be observed:

The dressing sterilizer to be of the steam-jacketed type, with a separate generator in
which the steam for sterilizing will be generated.

The inner, or sterilizing chamber to be formed from a seamless, cold-drawn, brass shell,
tinned inside, and the outer or pressure chamber to be of brazed or riveted copper construc-
tion. The door and door frame to be made from high-grade cast bronze, and the door to
be locked by radial locking bar, controlled by a handwheel.

The steam generator to be constructed from brass or copper, to have sufficient water
capacity to carry through two sterilizations of material without refilling. One end of the
generator to be easily removable for cleansing of sediment from the interior.

The construction of the sterilizer to be such as to permit sterilization of its contents by
subjection to steam at 15 pounds pressure for 30 minutes, after which dry sterile dressings
are to be available within 3 minutes.

The steam jacket and generator to be subjected to a hydrostatic pressure of at least
double the working pressure; the equipment to include all the necessary operating valves,
a safety valve, two steam gauges, a gauge glass, and a steam heating coil for the generator.
The water sterilizers to consist of two tanks, each to be of full 25 gallons capacity.
Each tank to be made from a tin-lined seamless, cold-drawn, brass or copper shell. The
bottoms are to be made from brass castings, constructed for easy removal for cleaning the
interior.

The filter to be provided, having valved connections to each tank, and valved connec-
tions to the raw water supply and waste lines. Filter casing to be made from copper or
brass, and to be constructed so that the filter stone may be easily removed for cleaning.

Equipment to include for each tank all necessary operating valves, guage glass, safety
valve, vacuum-breaking valve, thermometer, and a copper heating coil. One tank to be
equipped with a water-cooling coil. By the use of suitable valves, the heating coil may be
used for this purpose. Each water tank and the filter are to be subjected to a hydrostatic
test of not less than double the working pressure.

The instrument and utensil sterilizers are to be constructed from copper. Instrument
sterilizer of not less than 20 Stubs gauge; the utensil sterilizer of not less than 18 Stubs
gauge. The edges of this receptacle to be well reinforced.

A tray of perforated sheet copper or brass is to be provided for each sterilizer; the tray
to have strong side handles for lifting. The covers to be made from copper, preferably
dome-shaped, and smooth on top.

A foot lift for raising and closing the covers only is to be provided. Each sterilizer to
be equipped with a copper steam heating coil, and inside corner pieces or their equivalent
to be provided which will separate the tray slightly above the heating coil. Each utensil

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 565

sterilizer to have steam, return, water, and waste valved connections to the supply lines.
Each instrument sterilizer to have only valved steam, return, and waste connections to
the supply lines.

The steam boiler to be a 6-horsepower, submerged-tube type, 100 pounds pressure,
standard boiler, equipped with suitable injector and 10 feet of stack with a damper
in stack.

The sterilizers are to be mounted each on a separate stand of suitable tubular steel
construction. The arrangement to be such that, facing sterilizers, they will be placed in
the following order from left to right: Water, utensil, instrument, and dressing sterilizers.
They are to be placed as close together as conveniently possible, and piping is to be provided
to connect all common valves, bringing the supply lines close together near the center of the
outfit in the rear. The water and waste lines are to end with unions at the wall, situated
approximates 12 inches back of the sterilizers. The steam and return pipes to be carried
directly to the boiler (without a trap), which will be located approximately 10 feet in the
rear of the sterilizers.

All valves to be Jenkins's diamond pattern or equivalent, rough bodies. All water and
waste pipes and fittings to be galvanized iron and steam and return pipes and fittings to be
black iron.

Exterior surfaces of all sterilizers to be finished in brush or satin nickel. The interior
of all sterilizers to be tinned. Stands to be finished in aluminum bronze and a varnish
finishing coat.

Each manufacturer shall furnish detailed installation plans and operating directions
with each outfit.

The estimate for sterilizing apparatus, prepared in the Surgeon General's
Office and presented to the manufacturers at their meeting in Washington, D. C,
April 11, 1917, called for 100 combination sterilizing outfits, delivery to be
within approximately four months. Because of manufacturing requirements,
the committee on sterilizers considered it essential that definite information
concerning the quantity to be ordered be furnished at the earliest practicable
date. Securing the needed materials was a slow process. The manufacturer
of the seamless drawn shells required 60 to 90 days for delivery. The manu-
facturer of boilers required 120 days from date of order. The metal market
was uncertain and, to be assured of deliveries, it was necessary that orders for
sheets, castings, valves, and other parts be placed promptly. 1 Because of lack
of funds, purchases could not_ be made at that time and the placing of orders
was delayed. The purchase of 30 sets of standard combination sterilizers for
the base hospitals at the training camps was authorized May 25, 1917. 2 The
contracts were actually placed June 26. The number was equally distributed
among five manufacturers, six outfits being purchased from each.

It soon became apparent that 30 outfits would be insufficient and more
should be purchased. Instructions were issued August 3 for the purchase of
60 additional outfits. 3 Contracts for them were placed August 9. The total
number was distributed among the manufacturers according to their ability to
produce them. The third authorization for the purchase of these outfits was
issued November 16, 1917." It called for 75 outfits. They were distributed
equally among the manufacturers. Subsequent instructions to purchase were
issued from time to time thereafter as prospective needs indicated. The last
instructions for purchase were dated August 13, 1918, for 100 outfits. 5 The
total number of standard outfits delivered during the war period was 338. 6 The
prices paid for the outfits were uniform for all manufacturers and rose steadily

566

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

throughout the period due to advances in the cost of boilers, boiler plate, and
labor.

The outfit originally authorized had but one dressing sterilizer, 16 by 36
inches in size. At the time this number and size were decided upon the con-
templated capacity of the hospitals was 500 beds. It is doubtful that it would
have been adequate for that number of beds. When the capacity of the hospital
was increased to 1,000 beds, a single sterilizer of that size proved to be wholly
inadequate for the needs of the hospital. 7 The question then arose whether an
additional sterilizer, 16 by 36 inches, should be furnished, making two of that
size, or whether a larger size, 16 by 60 inches, should be substituted. The latter

Fig. 36. -Standard sterilizing outfit, with two sterilizers

size required a track to carry the drums containing the dressings, and the shell
was difficult to secure. The 16 by 36 inch shells were easy to obtain, and
while two of then cost more than one of the larger size, they had greater capac-
ity, did not require a track for the drums, and were more easily operated.
Accordingly, it was decided to furnish two 16 by 36 inch dressing sterilizers
for all 1,000-bed hospitals." An additional sterilizer was issued to all base hos-
pitals in the United States. Two dressing sterilizers were included in the outfit
provided for all base hospitals sent overseas. The appearance of the standard
outfit with the two sterilizers is shown in Figure 35. The addition to the outfit
of the second dressing sterilizer and certain other sterilizing equipment made

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 567

necessary a larger steam boiler. A 12-horsepower boiler was purchased with
all the later outfits. 9

Every base hospital established within the United States or sent overseas
was equipped with a standard sterilizing outfit for surgical dressings. Steriliz-
ing outfits for the training camps were delivered and installed by the time they
were needed. The outfits required for the hospitals sent overseas were shipped
usually with the other hospital equipment. The temporary general hospitals
as they were opened were likewise equipped with standard outfits. The pur-
chase of such outfits was based on known requirements, and deliveries were
made in accordance therewith. For the most part the outfits were inspected
at the factory and shipped direct to the designated hospital or port of embark-
ation. Only a few were carried in stock at any time.

NONSTANDARD OUTFITS

A number of hospitals which came into being during the World War, as
well as some already existing, had obsolete equipment that was expanded to
larger capacity. The standard equipment was too large for them. 10 A
suitable outfit consisting of the same number of pieces as the original standard
ontfits, but of smaller size, was selected and purchased for them. Wherever
there was space for a small boiler, steam-heated outfits were supplied. When
space could not be provided for the boiler, and electric current was available,
electrically heated outfits were supplied." If neither space for a boiler nor
electric current was available, outfits of suitable size heated by blue-flame
kerosene burners were furnished.

The need arose in the eye clinics and in the ear, nose, and throat clinics
for a small water sterilizer and a small instrument sterilizer. A small unit
mounted on a stand, consisting of a 3-gallon water sterilizer and a small instru-
ment boiler, both electrically heated, was provided for this purpose. The issue
of this unit was limited to hospitals where suitable electric current was avail-
able. The total number of the special outfits and electrically heated outfits
supplied during the war period was 135. The aggregate number of sterilizing
outfits delivered during the same period was 473. 6

PORTABLE DISINFECTORS

The Medical Department had become interested in portable disinfectors
during the year preceding our entrance into the World War. In connection
with the Mexican border mobilization in 1916, the need arose for these appa-
ratus for disinfecting clothing and bedding. One manufacturer, in conjunction
with an officer at the New York medical supply depot, developed such an
apparatus. Eight of them were purchased and tried out on the border, where
their merit was demonstrated. This disinfector consisted essentially of a dis-
infecting chamber 30 inches wide, 42 inches high, and 80 inches long, inside
measurements, furnished with a basket type of car, extension tracks and sup-
ports, mounted on steel running gear and provided with a steam boiler of
suitable size. 12 The specifications for this apparatus appear below. 13 The
general appearance of the disinfector is shown in Figure 36.

568

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Specifications covering "American" Kinyoun-Francis Portable Steam Disinfector

(Rectangular Ttpe)

To consist of an "American " Kinyoun-Francis jacketed disinfector, 30 inches wide by 42
inches high by SO inches long, clear inside dimensions; a 6-horsepower submerged-tube
vertical boiler, a water-storage tank, a complete set of firing tools and wrenches, and running
gear.

disinfector

Type. —Disinfector to be of the rectangular steam-jacketed construction, with 2-inch
steam space between inner and outer shells.

Material. — Pressure shells to be of Otis, Carnegie, Cleveland Steel Co., or equal, 60,000
pounds tensile strength, open-hearth homogeneous flange steel plates 14, inch thick. Victor

Fig. 36.— Portable disinfector

rivets or equal. Castings for the end frames, saddles, etc., to be of semisteel or close-grained
iron, as may be best suited for the purpose intended, to be free from blowholes, and all
carefully machined where necessary to secure proper fitting of parts.

Riveting and stay bolting. — Longitudinal seam of inner shell to be single lap, riveted with
fi-inch rivets, 2J^-inch pitch. Longitudinal seam of outer shell to be double lap, riveted
with fj-inch rivets, 2J^-inch pitch. Girth seams to be single lap, riveted with fj-inch rivets,
2 1 4-inch pitch. Rivet holes to be punched or drilled, and all unfair holes to be brought into
line by the use of reamer; no drift pins to be used. Shells to be stayed with J^-ineh stay
bolts of selected, double-refined iron, spaced approximately 6 inches between centers, thereby
making jacket surrounding chamber amply strong for full 100 pounds working pressure.
All scams to be carefully calked and made perfectly tight.

Bottom plate at front to be reinforced and to form a unit with front truck by means of
a fifth wheel and king pin. On each side at rear shall be a heavy cast-steel or malleable

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 569

bracket bolted into a riveted reinforcing steel plate saddle, supporting boiler and forming
riding supports for the disinfector-boiler combined units.

Door. — To be of y^-inch flange steel, properly dished, fitted to one end of disinfector,
and closing against a ^-inch Ebonite, or equal, gasket leaded in groove turned in face of
cast end frame and a steam and vacuum-tight joint made by a series of not less than 16
radial crucible spring steel, taper-turned, arms or levers engaging the rim of said end ring
at outer ends and being connected to a central disk by a ball-and-socket joint and forced
outward by the rotation of handwheel carrying said disk. The door to swing on a heavy
forged-steel davit, carefully fitted to the end frame and provided with means for accurate
adjustment. To minimize friction and facilitate operation, improved ball or roller bearings
to be used in the construction of door and davit.

Rear head. — To be jacketed, consisting of two flanged steel heads, }4 inch thick, with
2 inch steam space between. To be braced with Yn inch stay bolts about 6 inches center to
center.

Flanges. — All to be of best quality steel, carefully riveted and calked to insure perfect
tightness under both steam and vacuum.

Test. — The jacket to be tested and made perfectly tight under a hydrostatic pressure of
150 pounds per square inch, and again tested at 100 pounds steam pressure in the jacket and
at not less than 30 pounds steam pressure in the chamber for a working pressure of 12 to
15 pounds per square inch.

Piping. — To provide for:

1. Entrance of high-pressure steam to jacket.

2. Entrance of low-pressure steam through pressure-reducing valve to chamber directly
on top near each end.

3. The escape of air from chamber and the circulation of steam within chamber to
facilitate the process of disinfection.

4. High-pressure steam connection to improved type of ejector of sufficient capacity to
create and maintain a vacuum of not less than 20 inches with SO pounds of steam at
apparatus.

5. The condensation from inner chamber to run free from bottom at front end, controlled
with a valve.

6. The condensation from jacket from center of bottom to be connected to improved
pipe expansion trap and discharged into feed-water tank for use in boiler. To lie controlled
also with a valve.

Fillings.— To include, in addition to piping specified, all necessary valves for the proper
control of steam to both jacket and chamber, compound pressure and vacuum gauge for
chamber, pressure gauge for jacket, low-pressure safety valve set at from 12 to 15 pounds
for chamber, high-pressure safety valve for the jacket set at from 60 to 100 pounds as
preferred, one pressure-reducing valve, one air ejector, one steam trap, and all necessary
connections. All to be guaranteed to be satisfactory for the purpose intended.

Casting. — All piping and fittings, except that on bottom of disinfector for condensation.
tank, and formaldehyde-ammonia generators, to be located on top and covered in a sheet -
steel casing, hinged and provided with a suitable lock.

Formaldehyde-ammonia generators— Disinfector shall be provided and fitted with the
"American" improved type vacuum formaldehyde-ammonia generators, consisting of two
containers and one gas generating chamber, all complete, properly valved and connected to
disinfecting chamber.

Car.— To be of wrought-steel construction, basket type, mounted on roller wheels and
furnished with track and truck supports necessary for operation in approved manner,
unless otherwise ordered.

Finish.— Interior of chamber, also car frame and wheels, to be painted three coats of
aluminum bronze; exterior to be painted three coats of gloss black, unless otherwise speci-
fied in order. A substantial, removable, sheet copper hood to be furnished and fitted inside
at top of chamber and properly supported.

570 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Boiler to be of the vertical submerged-tube type, 30 inches in diameter by 5 feet 8 inches
high. Shell to be ]/i inch thick, open-hearth steel; the heads of % inch flange steel. To be
fitted with 50 tubes, 2 inch diameter and built to carry a working pressure of 100 pounds
per square inch. Smoke pipe of 13 inch diameter, to be hinged for lowering when not
in use.

Boiler to be fitted with ash pan formed by extension of shell, with bottom of No. 8
steel, and to be complete .with all fixtures, including safety valve, injector, steam and
water gauges and cocks, blow-off cock, together with all piping to connect with disinfector.

Boiler to be secured to and made self-contained with disinfector by heavy cast-steel
or malleable plates bolted to reinforcing saddles to support boiler at proper location.
Firing tools, consisting of hoe, slice bar, and scoop to be provided.

RUNNING GEAR AND SUPPORTS

These shall be constructed to support the imposed weight at three points, one in front
and two in the rear. The forward truck to be provided with steel roller-bearing wheels not
less than 2 inches in diameter and 54 by 6 inch face. The framework to support a steel fifth
wheel forming a unit with the bottom of the disinfector. Heavy steel leaf elliptical springs
to be underslung to not less than 2 inch square axle. To be provided with removable
tongue, two steel strap eyes for attaching tractor, double trees, and chains. The rear
wheels to be steel roller-bearing, 48 inch diameter and not less than 54 by 6 inch face on
not less than a 2}/£ inch square steel axle.

The heavy cast-steel or malleable plates supporting the overhanging boiler to the
disinfector are also to form the riding supports; at points of contact heavy steel helical
springs to be provided. A single driver's seat shall be placed on top of disinfector.

The wheels, axles, and woodwork to be finished in Indian red paint, varnished. The
disinfector and boiler in black machinery enamel.

American Sterilizer Co.,

Erie, Pa.

In considering the needs of base hospitals in the American Expeditionary
Forces, it was foreseen that there would be times, during and just after active
military operations, for example, when the surgical sterilizing apparatus would
be inadequate. It was thought that portable disinfectors might be used in
such emergencies. Furthermore, since evacuation hospitals were not supplied
with surgical dressings sterilizers, the portable disinfector might be very useful
to them on such occasions as those referred to above. In order to determine
their efficiency for that purpose and before making recommendations for their
use under such conditions, tests were made early in March, 1918, by an officer
detailed from the laboratory of the Army Medical School. The results of those
tests are quoted here in full: 14

Report on a Test Made on the Portable Disinfector " Hartsock Model," Manu-
factured by the American Sterilizer Co., Erie, Pa.

The test was made to determine whether all infectious organisms in bedding, clothing,
or surgical dressings would be killed; in other words, to determine the reliability of this
type of disinfector as a sterilizer.

The organisms used were Staphylococcus aureus and B. subtilis. The Latter is not
pathogenic, but is quite as difficult to kill as anthrax or tetanus and could be carried more
easily. The material used in the test was prepared as follows: Forty-eight hour broth cul-
tures were prepared. Stained smears indicated that the culture of B. subtilis contained
many spores. Small pledgets of gauze were then prepared and soaked in these cultures.
The gauze pledgets were about an inch in length, by one-fourth of an inch wide, and con-
sisted of several layers of gauze sewed together. After they had been thoroughly saturated

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 571

in the culture, they were removed to a sterile Petri dish and dried at room temperature, and
wrapped in sterile containers for use.

The method of experiment was as follows: Several of these infected pledgets of gauze
were buried in different packages of gauze dressings. These packages of dressings were
then placed in different parts of the disinfector in the middle of folds of blankets or under mat-
tresses, etc., and the disinfector was filled entirely with old blankets, clothes, packages of
surgical dressings, and cotton waste, so as to simulate service conditions as closely as possi-
ble. Self-registering thermometers and Diack controls were also buried in the same gauze
packages with the cultures so that the temperature reached could be accurately recorded.
At the end of the period of exposure the packages were opened, and the infected pledgets of
gauze were dropped by sterilized forceps into tubes of sterile broth. Controls were made
by planting a number of pledgets of infected gauze that had not been passed through the
disinfector, in tubes of bouillon. All of these control tubes show r ed growth on the follow-
ing morning, proving that the cultures of staphylococcus and B. subtilis were both alive and
viable. The results of the tests made are as follows:

FIRST TEST

Steam was up and the apparatus already warmed; 65 pounds pressure in the jacket.
A vacuum of 16 inches was obtained in four minutes. Steam was then introduced into the
cylinder, and the contents were given a 20-minute exposure at 15 pounds pressure.

Package of gauze was buried at the bottom in a mattress, and contained pledgets
infected with Staphylococcus and B. subtilis, and also a Diack control. After the exposure,
a vacuum of 8 inches was produced and the chamber opened. When removed after
the test, the Diack control was melted, indicating a temperature of at least 250° F. and the
infected pledgets were cultured. All were sterile.

A second package of gauze was placed in the middle of the disinfector, buried in a
closely packed package of blankets. A self-registering thermometer was also in the
package. At the end of the exposure the pledgets of infected gauze were placed in
bouillon tubes, and no growth occurred in any tube. The thermometer registered 255 ° F.

SECOND TEST

With 65 pounds pressure in the jacket, a vacuum of 18 inches was obtained in four
minutes, steam was introduced into the chamber, and the bedding and clothing exposed for
30 minutes at 15 pounds pressure. At the end of the exposure a vacuum of 9 inches
was produced, and the chamber was opened five minutes after the exposure.

A package of gauze with infected pledgets and thermometer was buried in a mattress
at the bottom. At the end of the test the thermometer registered 231° F. The pledgets
were cultured, and all remained sterile. No growth occured in any tube either of staphy-
lococcus or B. subtilis.

A package of gauze was buried in blankets in the middle as before. The thermometer in
this package registered 250°, a Diack control similarly placed was not melted, but cultures
of the infected pledgets all remained sterile.

THIRD TEST

With 65 pounds in the jacket, 18 inches of vacuum were obtained in four minutes.
Steam was introduced into the cylinder and an exposure of 40 minutes was given at 15
pounds pressure. At the end of the experiment, 9 inches of vacuum were produced and the
chamber was opened in five minutes from the termination of the exposure.

One package of gauze was buried in the middle of the cylinder as before, with infected
pledgets, three thermometers, and a Diack control. When the package was removed after
the exposure, the Diack control was melted, but all three thermometers registered 247° F.
It is thus seen that the Diack control, which is supposed to melt at 250° F. is not an
accurate method of measuring temperature, for in one case one failed to melt although the

572 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

thermometer registered 250, while in another case the control melted although three ther-
mometers agreed on a reading of 247° F. All pledgets were cultured and no growth occurred
in any tube.

One package was buried in the bottom as before, with pledgets of gauze. These were
cultured at the conclusion of the exposure, and all tubes remained sterile.

FOURTH TEST

A test was made of the sterilizing power of the formaldehyde apparatus. As it is
notoriously difficult to secure penetration with formaldehyde, and as the cylinder was
closely packed as in all other tests, it was believed that this test would afford a demonstra-
tion as to the penetrating power of formaldehyde when used in this disinfector with a
vacuum. At the same time it must be stated that as heat was used through the steam in the
jacket, and as the bedding necessarily contained some moisture as the result of its passage
through the previous tests, these circumstances alone may have been sufficient to cause
sterilization.

With 65 pounds of steam in the cylinder, a vacuum of 20 inches was produced in six min-
utes. Seventeen ounces of formaldehyde solution (100 parts 40 per cent formaldehyde, 10
parts glycerine, and 20 parts calcium chloride) were introduced in vapor into the cylinder in
four minutes. After the formaldehyde was vaporized there was still 15 inches of vacuum
in the chamber. An exposure of one hour was given, at the end of which time the guage
showed that there was still 4 inches of vacuum. This was increased to 10 inches, and 8
ounces of ammonia were introduced to neutralize the formaldehyde, and the disinfector was
opened. No fumes of formaldehyde were noticeable.

Three packages of gauze were used in this test:

The first package, with infected pledgets was placed on top of the bedding where the
gas would have free access to it. Two thermometers that were hung near this package
registered 295° and 300° F., respectively. This was the temperature in the open, and it is
not to be supposed that the temperature in the mass of bedding was as high as this. At
the end of the exposure, the infected pledgets were cultured and all remained sterile.

A package of gauze was buried in blankets in the middle of the mass of clothing as
before. The infected pledgets removed from this package after exposure were cultured and
all cultures remained sterile.

A package was also buried in the mattress at the bottom as before. The infected
pledgets removed from this package after exposure were cultured and all remained sterile.

From the above tests, the conclusion is drawn that when properly operated, this disin-
fector is an efficient sterilizer even when the cylinder is closely packed with clothes or
dressings. Every culture placed in the disinfector was killed whether the exposure was 20,
30, or 40 minutes. It is believed, therefore, that a 20-minute exposure can be recommended,
and as it takes approximately five minutes at the beginning to introduce the steam and
another five minutes at the end to create the vacuum and remove the steam so that the
clothes may be dry when removed, this 20-minute exposure will actually require 30 minutes.
It will thus be seen that two loads may be sterilized in an hour. In other words, it could
be relied on to sterilize the clothes of about two companies an hour.

The formaldehyde sterilization, using a temperature of about 90° F., which will not
injure leather, can certainly be relied upon to sterilize leather articles and such articles of
equipment as may be destroyed by steam, and where great penetration is not required. This
is probably all that will be required of the formaldehyde process. At the same time, it may
be stated that this process may be capable of penetration because of the effective vacuum
that can be created by the apparatus, and in the test described above there were indications,
in change of color and appearance of certain articles, that the formaldehyde had actually
penetrated to the interior of the mass used in the experiment.

While unfortunately no lice or bedbugs were available for test, it is certain that any
process that will kill the spores of B. subtilU will kill these insects, which are sensitive to heat,
and the apparatus is therefore to be recommended as an efficient apparatus for the delousing
of a command.

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

573

Mr. J. E. Hall, the president of the American Sterilizer Co., states that in 30 days' time
they can turn out this portable disinfector at the rate of one a day.

Edward B. Veddek,
Lieutenant Colonel, M. C.

Because of the reported prevalence of vermin among the troops in France,
the question arose as to the best manner of disinfecting the clothing of the
body louse and its eggs. The use of cyanide gas as a disinfectant was proposed. 15
It was understood that it would take approximately 45 minutes exposure to the
gas to destroy the body louse and its eggs. Even then it was doubtful that
the eggs would be destroyed. Having in mind the fact that vermin of all sorts
are comparatively readily destroyed by heat, it was thought that the portable
disinfector might prove effectual for that purpose. To determine its value for
this service, the following tests were made: 16

The Time Required Effectually to Delouse Clothing by Means of the Hartsock
Model, "American" Kinyoun-Francis Steam and Formaldehyde Disinfector

Inasmuch as active lice are more easily killed than nits, the time required effectually
to delouse clothing is the time required to kill the nits. Through the courtesy of the
Bureau of Entomology of the Department of Agriculture, I was supplied with 160 nits of
Pediculus humanus vestimenti, deposited from July 2 to July 5, inclusive. Under proper
conditions they would have hatched from July 9 to July 16, inclusive. Those conditions
(of body heat and humidity) were not supplied until after some of the nits had been
subjected to the action of the disinfector. The exposures were made on July 13 in the
forenoon and were as follows:

Forty-six nits were exposed for five minutes. During this time the maximum temper-
ature within the chamber was 250° F. The maximum temperature within the bundle in
which the nits were wrapped was 192° F. The bundle was made up of old underwear,
packed medium tight, and measured 14}^ inches long and 7 l A inches in diameter.

Thirty-four nits were exposed, similarly wrapped, for 10 minutes. The maximum
temperature in the chamber during this period was 257° F. The temperature within the
bundle was not taken, but it is probable that inasmuch as the period of exposure was
twice as long as before, the penetration was more complete.

Thirty-five nits, similarly wrapped, were exposed for 20 minutes. This time the
temperature within the chamber reached 266° F. The temperature within the bundle was
not recorded.

Forty-five nits were kept as controls, and these, of course, were not subjected to the
action of the disinfector at all.

Each group of nits was then encased in a Bacot entomological box and the boxes, placed
in small cotton bags, were worn beneath the undershirt. Within 24 hours some of the 45
control eggs had hatched. On July 19 no more had hatched. The others may be considered
as dead. Hence, the mortality of the control nits is 23 per cent.

To date, July 22, none of the exposed eggs has hatched.

These data are presented concisely in Table I.

Table I. — The destruction by steam of the nits of Pediculus humanus vestimenti by means
of the Hartsock model, "American" Kinyoun-Francis steam and formaldehyde portable
disinfector

Duration

ol
exposure

Maximum Tempera-
tempera- ture in
ture in center of
chamber bundle

Number Number
of eggs hatched

Percent-
age mor-
tality

23
100
100
100

Minutes

5
10
20

° F. ' F.

45 35
4fi

34

35

250 192

257 ---- —

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

These experiments seem to indicate that nits exposed to the action of steam under 15
pounds pressure in the Hartsock model, " American " Kinyoun-Francis steam and formalde-
hyde disinfector, even when well covered with several thicknesses of underclothing, are
killed within five minutes.

It is probable, therefore, that exposure for 10 to 15 minutes in this apparatus will be
more than sufficient effectually to delouse clothing.

The question of disinfeetors was presented to the committee on sterilizers
at their meeting in Washington in April, 191 7. 1 The number and type of
disinfeetors had not been clearly determined at that time. For a fixed hospi-
tal it was thought that the stationary type would be satisfactory and probably
preferable; the portable type would have a wide field of usefulness, both in
camps in the United States and overseas. The first instructions for the pur-
chase of portable disinfeetors was issued June 21, 1917, and called for 12. 17
The next instructions were issued at the end of August, 1917, and called for
28. 18 The number of portable disinfeetors authorized for purchase during the
period June, 1917, to December, 1918, inclusive, appears in the following table,
showing dates and firms from which purchased: 19

Sterilizers

Firm

1917

May 19 American Sterilizer Co.

May 21 do.

May 31 do

June 26 do

Aug. 9. do

Aug. 17 do

Oct. 29 do

Dec. 18 do

Dec. 22 i do

Do do

Dec. 28. do

Quantity

1918

Jan. 18 do.

Jan. 31 do.

Feb. 7. do.

Feb. 26

do

Feb. 27

Mar. 1

do

do

do

Mar. 26

Mar. 27

Apr. 22

do

do

do

Apr. 25

do

Apr. 27

May 22

do

do

May 24

June 17..

do

do

Do

do

Aug. 6

do

Aug. 21

Aug. 30

Sept. 9

Sept. 11

Sept. 12

1917
June 26

do _

do.

do

do

Hospital Supply Co

Dec. 3.

do...

Dec. 22

do

1918
Mar. 5

do

May 24

do.

June 17 . ...

do.

do....

do

do..

Type

Steam"..
Electric.
Steam b . .

do.".

do.-.

do.'.

do.-.

Electiic
Steam * .

do. ■> .

Electric.

Steam d .—
Electric...

do

Kerosene.

do....

Electric...
Steam J ...
Electric.

do...

do—..

do....

do...

Kerosene-
Steam J ..

, do.<._

6 j Kerosene.

Steam '

(io.J..

do.''.-.

do.'—

do.'...

do.'..

Kerosene.
do

Steam •_

do.-.

Electric.
Steam J .

Electric
do....

Kerosene.
Steam c _ .
....do.' .
do.*..

Unit price

Cost

$1,449.00

$1,449.00

614. 25

614. 25

1,166.00

1,166.00

1, 400. 00

8,400.00

1.400.00

47, 600. 10

798. 00

798.00

1,400.00

8,400.00

699. 00

699.00

1,551.00

20. 163. 00

1,541.00

3,082.00

721.00

721.00

1, 548. 00

1,548.00

690. 00

690. 00

.860. 00

860.00

520. 90

520. 00

560. 00

560. 00

860.00

860.00

1,565.00

78, 250. 00

860.00

860.00

850. 00

850.00

850. 00

850.00

1,291.00

1,291.00

560. 00

1.120.00

520. 00

520.00

1.575.00

1,575.00

1,002.00

1.002.00

520.00

3,120.00

1,125.00

1,125.00

1,610.00

4, 830. 00

1,610.00

3, 220. 00

2,100.00

(53,000.00

2, 100. 00

58, 800. 00

1, 656. 00

1,656.00

520.00

520.00

520. 00

1,040.00

1,400.00

8,400.00

1,400.00

16, 800. 00

790.00

790.00

1,551.00

23, 265. 00

1,408.50

1.408.50

898.25

898.25

537. 00

3, 762. 50

754.00

754.00

2,025.00

11. 17'. (Ki

1,565.00

1.565.00

See footnotes at mi'l of table.

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT
Sterilizers — Continued

575

Date

Firm

Quantity

Type

Cnit price

Cost

1918

Aug. 21.

Aug. 30

Sept. 27

Nov. 4

4
2

1
1

1

fi
15

1
1
1
1
1

15
1
1
1

10
6

6

10
15

1
1
1
1
1

7
3

6
4
15
1

10
8

$2, 025. 00

2, 125. 00

591.00

591. 00

556.00

1,400.00
1,551.00

975. 00
738.00

1, 040. 00
848.00

1,215.00

2, 030. 00

506.00

775.00

775. 00

2, 030. 00
494.00

1,400.00
1,550.00
1, 550. 00

1, 143. 00
868.00
1,150.00
675. 00
1,079.00
1,300.00
2,045.00
2,200.00

1,400.00
1,466.00
1,551.00
1,254.00

2, 020. 00
2, 025. 00

$8,100.00

do.'

Kerosene . .

do._._

4, 250. 00

do

do

591. 00
591.00

do

Gas

556. 00

■ 9,7

8, 400. 00

Dec. 22.
1918

do

do

do.

do.''

23, 265. 00
975.00

738.00

do

do.<

1,040.00

July 3

. .do

Electric .

848.00

do.

1,215.00

Aug. 21

do

do.-..

do.'

30. 450. 00
506.00

do ...

Gas...

do

775.00

Aug. 30.

Do

do .

775.00

do

Steam ' . .

20, 300. 00

do

2, 904. 00

1917

8, 400. 00

.. .do-

do."

15, 500. 00

Dec. 22

do

do.*

23, 265. 00

1918
Feb. 4

do ....

do.*

do.'

1,143.00

Feb. 6

do...

868.00

Feb. 22

do

do.'

do.'

1, 150. 00

do

675. 00

do

1,079.00

dc

Steam fc ... - -

do.' -

do.-

1,300.00

Aug. 21

do

do

14,315.00
6, 600. 00

1917

do."

do.-..-

do.*

8,400.00

Aug.!)

Dec. 22

"do

5,864.00
23, 265. 00

do

do.' _

1,254.00

1918

Aug.21

Sept. 3

do

do .

do.'

do.'..

20, 200. 00
16,200.00

Total

418

649, 394. 50

" Standard outfit with dressing drums and 6-horsepower boiler.

f> Standard outfit with dressing drums but without boiler.

<■ Smaller size without boiler.

d Standard outfit with dressing drums and 12-horsepower boiler.

'Standard outfit with 2 dressing sterilizers, dressing drums, and 12-horsepower boiler.

Calls for these portable disinfectors steadily increased. The output by
the firms already mentioned was limited. New sources of supply were sought
in October, 1918. Several manufactures of boilers were approached with a
view of interesting them in the manufacturers of these disinfectors. Only firms
known to have the facilities for the manufacture of such apparatus and to be
financially sound were included in this survey of facilities. Some of the firms
interviewed were capable of producing only the steam boilers, while others were
able to produce the entire outfit. Several of the firms found to be interested
were furnished blue prints and specifications for consideration and to determine
their ability to produce the outfits. 20 Fortunately, the cessation of hostilities
terminated the need for disinfectors before it became necessary to place orders
in addition to those already enumerated.

576

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

DISTRIBUTION

Portable disinfectors, being bulky, were purchased in accordance with a
definite schedule of requirements. It was not contemplated that they would be
stored at any point longer than was necessary to make the distribution required.
A number of them were distributed among the training camps within the
United States, but the bulk of them were intended for use overseas. One of
the base hospitals sent to France in July, 1917, was provided with one of these
disinfectors. Its use and advantages were promptly appreciated. 21 A request
was cabled to the Surgeon General, August 16, for 15 of them. 22 Instructions
were given that 5 be shipped at once to the medical supply depot in France.
They arrived at the port of embarkation by the end of August and were promptly
floated. The chief surgeon, A. E. F., was advised that 5 disinfectors would be
shipped at once and the remainder as soon as available. 23 Instructions were
issued November 5 for the shipment of 10 portable disinfectors in addition to
the 5 ordered shipped in August. 24 Thereafter shipments were made direct
from the manufacturers to the ports of embarkation as the apparatus became
available. The number shipped steadily increased. In the month of October,
1918, 37 were floated, making a total of 146 shipped to France. 25 Water trans-
portation was insufficient to take care of the full requirements for that month,
which were 60. 25 The following table shows the rate of delivery by months
during the calendar year 1918: 2fi

Disinfectors, portable steam

Date

Firm

Quantity
author-
ized

Quantity
canceled

Quantity
delivered

Type
Cylindrical ._ ..

Unit price

Cost

July 3. 1917

American Sterilizer Co

12

5

$1,750.00

$8, 750. 00

7

Rectangular

2, 500. 00

17, 500. 00

Sept. 21, 1917

._ do

28

28

do

2, 750. 00

77, 000. 00

Nov. 8. 1917

.... do

1

1

.... do

2, 700. 00

2, 700. 00

Dee. 5, 1917

do

125

125

do

2, 500. 00

312, 500. 00

Apr. I, 1918

--.. do

50

50

do

2, 000. 00

130,000.00

Aug. 23, 1918

do _

100

51

49

do

2, 750. 00

140, 250, 00

Dee. 18, 1918

.... do

2

2

Cylindrical

2, 250. 00

4, 500. 00

Dee. 23,1918

.... do ___.-.

3

3

.... do

2, 555. 00

7, 686. 00

Dee. 6, 1917

Hospital Supply Co

50

50

Rectangular

2, 575. 00

128,750.00

Jan. 7, 1918

Xny-Scheerer Corporation..

50

50

do

2, 575. 00

12S, 750. 00

Sept. 23. 1918

do...

Total

50

20

30

Cylindrical

2, OfiO. 00

79,800.00

471

71

400

SPARE PARTS

Many of the pieces of apparatus, both of the standard sterilizing outfit
and the portable disinfectors, were lost, broken, or damaged in transportation
to France. 27 Spare parts were necessary to replace these broken or damaged
parts, and a list of needed parts was prepared in July, 1918. 28 The number of
these spare parts shipped from month to month was increased with the number
of sterilizing outfits and disinfectors overseas. In preparing these lists the
different manufacturers of the outfits were requested to furnish a list of the
parts which they had replaced in the past and the relative proportions of each
required. 28

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 577

OTHER TYPES OF DISINFECTORS

For fixed hospitals which were likely to be permanent after the end of the
war, it was considered expedient to furnish stationary types of disinfectors
instead of the portable type. The chambers of these disinfectors, as a rule,
were approximately the same size as that of the portable outfit, but variations
were made according to the requirements of the individual hospital. A number
of the stationary disinfectors were purchased.

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from the chairman, committee on bed, clothing, and miscellaneous hospital

supplies, to the War Department, Office of the Surgeon General, May 11, 1917,
transmitting a report and recommendation of the special committee on sterilizers.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14636-13-1.

(2) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, May 25, 1917. Subject: Supplies for a million men. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 14039-20-14.

(3) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, August 3, 1917. Subject: Steam sterilizing outfits. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 14039-20-14.

(4) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

Y'ork, November 16, 1917. Subject: Purchase of disinfectors and sterilizing outfits.

713—359
On file, S. G. O., Finance and Supply Division, — „.- ■

(5) First indorsement from the Surgeon General's Office to the officer in charge, Medical

Supply Depot, New York, August 13, 1918, relative to the purchase of 100 steriliz-

713—359 N Y

ing outfits. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - — „„„" - : — '-•

(6) Quantities of deliveries of combining sterilizing outfits, U. S. Army pattern, delivered

January 18, to December 31, 1918, compiled in the Surgeon General's Office in 1918.

On file, S. G. O., Finance and Supply Division, ^1 — '"

(7) Letter from the medical supply officer, TJ. S. Army, New Y'ork, to the Surgeon General,

November 22, 1917. Subject: Sterilizing sets. On file, Finance and Supply,

tv . . a „ „ 713-539 N. Y. D.
Division, S. G. O., 27S — —

(8) Third indorsement from Lieut. Col. E. B. Vedder, Army Medical School, to the medi-

cal supply officer, New Y'ork City, December 6, 1917, relative to the most suitable
sizes of dressing sterilizers. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-5 39 N. Y. P.
276

(9) Sixth indorsement from the medical supply officer, New York, to the Surgeon General

December 20, 1917, relative to the size of horsepower boilers supplied with steriliz-

.„. n „. _,. . „ . „• • • B n. r\ 713-539 N. Y. D.

mg outfits. On file, Finance and Supply Division, ». O. O., -

(10) Letter from the department surgeon, Northeastern Department, Boston, to the Surgeon

General, February 7, 1918. Subject: Hospital facilities. On file, Finance and

H , tv • ■ a n n 188-80 D. S. B.
Supply Division, S. G. O., ==

(11) Letters from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York City, March 18, 1918. Subject: Steam sterilizers and sterilizing outfits. On file,

t,. . a , ^. . . c „ r, 188-80 D. S. B.

finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ob —

(12) Letter from the American Sterilizer Co., Erie, Pa., to Col. H. C. Fisher, War Depart-

ment, June 27, 1917, relative to portable disinfectors. On file, Finance and Supply

D. . . a ™ « 28 A. o. O.
■ vision. S. G. O., tr

40

30663—28 37

578 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(13) Letter from the American Sterilizer Co., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, July 22, 1926,

relative to portable disinfeetors. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. 0.,
28 A. S^_C.
40

(14) Letter from the Surgeon General to the chief surgeon, A. E. F., France, March 23, 1918.

Subject: Portable disinfeetors. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
28 A. S. C .
13

(15) Letter from the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New York, to the Surgeon

General, June 26, 1918. Subject: Request for the services of bacteriologists. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ™ — ' — '■

(16) Letter from First Lieut. Joseph W. Smith, jr., M. C, to the Surgeon General, U.S.

Army, Julv 20, 1918. Subject: Investigation of disinfector. On file, Finance and

o , tv * • • a r- n 713-539 N. Y.
Supply Division, 8. li. O., _„„ —

(17) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Department, New

York, June 21, 1917. Subject: Disinfeetors. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. O., 14039-107.

(18) Letter from the Surgeon General to officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New York

August 18, 1917. Subject: Portable disinfeetors. On file, Finance and Supply

rv • u n n 713-539
Division, S. G. O., „ , • ■

(19) List of disinfeetors, portable, steam, purchased during the World War, compiled from

official records in the Surgeon General's Office.

(20) Letter from the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New York, to the Surgeon

General, November 16, 1918. Subject: Portable disinfeetors. On file, Finance and

a 1 tv • • « r- o 713-539 N. Y.
Supply Division, S. G. O., 1 rj^ —

(21) First indorsement, chief surgeon, Base section No. 1, to chief surgeon, Lines of Com-

munication, A. E. F., October 14, 1917. Subject: Steam disinfeetors. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — „

(22) Paragraph 15. Subject: Paragraph 1, Cable 102, H. A. E. F., Paris, to The Adjutant

General, August 16, 1917, relative to steam sterilizers. On file, Finance and

„ , „. . . ,, r~. r* 713-250
Supply Division, S. (_r. O., — „

(23) Cable from the Adjutant General to the Commanding General, H. A. E. F., August 20,

1917, relative to shipment of disinfeetors called for on Cable No. 102, H. A. E. F.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., „

(24) Eighth indorsement, Surgeon General's Office to officer in charge, Medical Supply

Depot, New York, November 15, 1917, directing shipment of portable disinfeetors.

, ^. • • c. ^ ^ 713-250
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. (J., ^

(25) Memorandum for Col. E. P. Wolfe, M. C, from Capt. Fred. J. Murray, U. S. A.,

October 30, 1918, relative to shipment of portable disinfeetors to France during

1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.

(26) Number of disinfeetors, portable, delivered in 1918, compiled in the Surgeon General's

, ^. . . c, n ^ 531 Misc.
Office, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., J54

(27) Letter from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to the Surgeon General, April 16, 1918. Sub-

ject: Damaged disinfeetors in transit. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

„ _ 250 France
8. U. O., g^

(28) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, medical supply depot, New

York, July 11, 1918, relative to spare parts for sterilizers for overseas shipments.

713—539 N. Y
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 814 " — '•

CHAPTER XXXVII
X-RAY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

The X-ray apparatus in the possession of the Medical Department when
we entered the World War consisted of the stationary apparatus at general
hospitals and at the larger military posts. In addition there were a few port-
able sets which had been developed during the years immediately proceeding
1917. This portable outfit consisted of a motor generator and a high-tension
transformer. The motor generator was composed of a gas engine of the marine
type, a direct-connected alternating-current generator, and a rectifying disk
mounted on the shaft of the motor. These had served a good purpose on the
Mexican border and at Vera Cruz, but were cumbersome and unreliable for the
work of a great war. 1

The problems presented to the Medical Department when we entered the
World War, with regard to X-ray equipment, were to provide stationary X-ray
plants in sufficient numbers for the fixed hospitals in the United States and
overseas, and to devise and secure the manufacture of a practicable portable
apparatus. 1 In this connection, the American Roentgen Ray Society was of
material assistance to the Medical Department.

STATIONARY APPARATUS

In the latter part of 1916 the American Roentgen Ray Society appointed
a committee on preparedness, the function of which was to consider ways and
means whereby the members of the society could render the most effectual
service to the Government in the event of the entry of the United States into
the war. This committee gave considerable attention to matters of X-ray
equipment. In the early part of 1917 a special committee was appointed by
the society to standardize X-ray apparatus and equipment. Because of the
extremely technical nature of the X-ray apparatus it was decided that it would
be impracticable and unnecessary to have all machines purchased identical in
all respects. Individual processes and designs could be continued so long as
the machines produced came clearty within the particular general requirements.
Specifications for X-ray machines were drawn up by the committee with that
object in view; performance tests were given more consideration than physical
appearance and design. It was the conclusion of the committee that five types
of apparatus, made by the five principal manufacturers, would come within the
specifications. 2

The committee compiled a list of all the apparatus and accessory articles
needed for any kind of work likely to be required in the large military hospitals
in the United States or in the base hospitals overseas. Specifications were
prepared for the essential parts of the equipment, such as X-ray machine,

579

580 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

rocntgenscopic table, tube racks, tube stands, and vertical roentgenscopes.
This standard list was furnished the Surgeon General May 1, 1917, and served
as the basis of the early procurement. 3 The list as originally compiled was
modified from time to time as experience suggested, but these modifications
were only in minor details. The list was revised and with amendments and
additions published as Part IV, "X-ray apparatus and supplies," List of Staple
Medical and Surgical Supplies, Council of National Defense.

With this standard list of equipment, the problem presented was the pro-
curement of X-ray machines in sufficient numbers to meet the immediate
requirements in the United States. These machines were secured by giving
orders, in as nearly equal numbers as possible, to five of the largest manufacturers
of such apparatus. 4 These manufacturers were selected because the machines
manufactured by them were known to be satisfactory in all the civil hospitals.
They had also been tested out by the Medical Department of the Army. It
was impossible to provide a single type or make of X-ray machine because of
the inability of any one manufacturer to furnish the machines rapidly enough.
It was found that nearly all the machines to be furnished in the United States
could be built for alternating current. The few places where only direct cur-
rent was furnished were supplied with comparatively little delay with direct-
current machines, a few of which were procured. 1

The apparatus installed in the various large military hospitals in the United
States proved very satisfactory. Accordingly, decision was reached to provide
the large hospitals to be established overseas with the same type of equipment.
Some disappointment was experienced with the X-ray machines sent overseas
because of insufficient information concerning current conditions in France.
It was very difficult at the beginning of the war to secure rotary converters in
large numbers, and the machines to be furnished rapidly were necessarily con-
structed for alternating current. It was deemed advisable to send alternating-
current machines in sufficient numbers for the hospitals then contemplated in
France, and to convert such of these as were necessary into direct-current
machines by providing rotary converters. 1 Some difficulty was experienced
in securing these rotary converters, which resulted in delay in providing X-ray
apparatus for places where there was only a direct-current supply. Even
in those places the emergency was met by providing another type of equip-
ment known as the bedside apparatus. 1

PORTABLE OUTFITS

There were very few hospitals in the United States which could not be
supplied readily with electric current from some outside plant. It was antici-
pated, however, that many hospitals in France would be so placed that no
electric current of any sort would be available. If such hospitals were to be
provided with an X-ray outfit it must be able to generate its own current.
This anticipated need for such equipment received early attention. A satis-
factory portable outfit was developed through the combined efforts of the
engineers of the General Electric Co., of Schenectady, N. Y. ; the Domestic
Engineering Co., of Dayton, Ohio; and the Victor X-ray Corporation of
Chicago. Specifications for the outfit were submitted to the Surgeon General

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

581

June 13, 1917. This outfit was devised largely by Dr. W. D. Coolidge and his
assistant, Mr. Moore, in the research laboratory of the General Electric Co.
It consisted essentially of a direct-connected gas-engine generator, a step-up
transformer, a filament current transformer, a filament current control, a small
booster, and the necessary milliammeters, voltmeters, and operating switches. 1
The generating apparatus consisted of a Delco-light engine manufactured
by the Domestic Engineering Co. This engine was directly connected to a
dynamo of 1 kilowatt capacity delivering a direct current at 32 volts. It was
modified by changing the armature and field windings and by adding a pair of
slip rings so as to furnish an alternating current. A throttle governor was
provided to regulate the voltage. This governor consisted of a solenoid

Fig. 37.— Portable X-ray outfit, model of 1917. Table top removed

mounted above the carburetor, the movable core of the solenoid being con-
nected to the butterfly valve of the throttle. The solenoid was operated by
direct current taken from the commutator on the generator. 1

The X-ray transformer was an oil-insulated, closed-core type of transformer,
the middle point of whose secondary winding was grounded and connected to
the milliammeter. The filament current transformer was also oil insulated.
The remaining electrical parts of the outfit consisted of a filament current con-
trol, a small "booster" to prevent current drop when the load was thrown on
an operating switch, a milliammeter, a voltmeter, and the X-ray tube. The
latter was a tube designed by Doctor Coolidge especially for this outfit and was
a modification of the original Coolidge tube. It was called a radiator tube and

582

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

was so constructed that it rectified its own current. It thereby rendered com-
plicated and cumbersome rectifying devices unnecessary. 1

The electrical parts of the outfit were mounted in a solidly constructed
box called the instrument box. This box was connected to the generator set by
a 50-foot cable. The instrument box, when in use, was placed at the end of
the X-ray table, and the engine at any convenient place within 50 feet. 1

The portable outfit was used in France in many evacuation hospitals,
mobile hospitals, and even in some field hospitals. It was a simple, highly
efficient, and readily transportable outfit. Its total weight was less than 1,000
pounds. The outfit was remodeled and greatly improved during 1919. Prac-
tically all the defects noted during the war were eliminated. 1

Fig. 38.— Standard bedside X-ray outfit

BEDSIDE UNIT

While the development of the portable outfit generating its own current
was in progress another portable type of apparatus which did not have its own
generating plant was devised by Prof. J. S. Shearer, of Cornell University.
This apparatus was complete in one small cabinet, to which was attached a
tube stand carrying a very flexible tube holder. The X-ray transformer was
placed inside this cabinet. The special point in the construction of this trans-
former was that the Coolidge filament transformer was an integral part of the

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 583

main X-ray transformer. The necessity for an extra transformer for the
filament current of the Coolidge tube was thereby avoided. The radiator
type of Coolidge tube was used by this apparatus also. This apparatus was
called a bedside unit. 1

The bedside unit filled a place of great usefulness during the war. It could
be operated on either direct or alternating current, and its capacity was limited
so that it could be attached directly to any electric lighting socket. This made
it very portable and enabled it to be used at the bedside in the wards as its
name suggests. This was done in thousands of cases of chest complications
accompanying influenza during the epidemic of 1918, and in the case of many
fractures that could not be moved to the X-ray room. Professor Shearer was
able later, in France, to make a simple modification that made it possible to
operate the bedside unit from the current supplied by the Delco engine of the
portable outfit. 1

MOBILE OUTFITS

A highly satisfactory portable outfit had been developed, as already noted,
but it had to be loaded into some kind of a truck to be moved from one place
to another. It seemed desirable to have special transportation for a number
of these portable outfits so that they could be sent quickly to mobile or evacu-
ation hospitals or other points where wounded were being brought in unusual
numbers. This was accomplished by a simple modification of the standard
United States Army ambulance so that the entire outfit, including the stand-
ard Army portable X-ray table, could be transported safely and put into
operation in a few minutes. 1 The gas-engine generator was mounted on a
heavy wooden base of 2-inch material and placed inside the ambulance body
just behind the driver's seat. This base was fastened by screws to a frame
secured to the side walls and floor of the ambulance body. The instrument
box, bedside unit, and other equipment were packed in the space between the
generator and the rear end of the body. The table top was suspended on
the outside of the body flat against the side and protected from the rain
by a waterproof canvas curtain which rolled down over the outside of the

table top.

Only 17 of these mobile outfits actually reached France, and none of
them could be placed in service prior to the armistice. Five of them accom-
panied the Third Army into Germany, where their usefulness was thoroughly
demonstrated.

LIST OF UNIT EQUIPMENT

Since the hospitals in which the X-ray apparatus was installed varied in size
from 25 beds to more than 1,000 beds, it became necessary to select the
apparatus and provide a list of accessory articles for hospitals of varying
size. It was decided to furnish the standard bedside X-ray unit as suitable
equipment to hospitals of less than 75 beds and to provide the larger hospitals
with the standard X-ray apparatus of interrupterless type and with supplies
and accessories according to the size of the hospital. Accordingly, lists of
equipment were prepared. 5 These lists, in order of sequence, follow.

584 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Specifications A, for Stationary X-ray Machine (Interrupterless Type)

Each machine to consist of the articles enumerated below.

Cabinet. — A cabinet made of high-grade hardwood free of knots or blemish; all glass
parts best French plate not less than three-sixteenths inch thick.

Transformer. — A high-tension transformer, having a normal rating of at least 10
kilowatts, transformer winding to be so proportioned that it will deliver at its secondary
terminals an alternating current of at least 100,000 volts potential in actual service. It
must stand a continuous run of two hours at 60,000 volts, delivering 5 milliamperes to the
tube and backing up an 8-inch spark, and be capable of delivering 50 milliamperes to the
tube backing up a 6-inch spark.

Rectifier. — A rotary high-tension rectifying or commutating device accurately balanced,
directly connected with the shaft of the rotary converter or synchronous motor set, adjusted
to revolve near or in contact with suitable terminals by means of which the high-tension
alternating current from the transformer is changed into a high-tension pulsating unidirec-
tional one through the tube circuit; and in case a disk type of rectifying device is employed,
the disk must be cut out between the conducting segments so as to provide an ample air
gap, or the metal collecting segments must be set out* from the edge of the disk.

Switchboard. — A substantial switchboard of good insulating materials, on which are
securely mounted the necessary switches for properly operating the outfit; each outfit to be
provided with a polarity indicator.

Motor. — A satisfactory synchronous motor, of suitable rating, operating on an alternating
current of the phase and potential noted in the circular of advertisement, same to be provided
with all the necessary connections for proper operation.

Control. — A controlling rheostat for primary of the high-tension transformer, to be
well ventilated and so constructed and mounted as to permit of fine graduation of current
flow and to operate continuously for fluoroscopy or treatment without overheating. In
addition to the rheostat, an auto-transformer control will be furnished.

Milli ammeter. — A milliammeter, reading accurately and with an 8-inch double scale,
with shunt reading 0-10 and 0-100 milliamperes securely mounted on the machine and
conveniently placed for observation.

Mountings. — Switch board, transformer, rheostats, motors, time switch, connections,
etc., to be mounted on the cabinet, or detached, as specified in the circular of advertisement.
A separate rheostat for the primary will be allowed if satisfactory in appearance and size.

Terminals. — Each machine to be provided with substantial terminal posts mounted on
the cabinet and automatic conductor cord reel (8-foot cords) for directly connecting with
an X-ray table to be attached to each post. The two main terminals to have an adjustable
parallel spark gap of not less than 10 inches, the third terminal to be provided with a
suitable device for regulating the vacuum of the tube. All spark gap and regulating
devices to be so regulated and designed that they can be conveniently and easily
manipulated from the switchboard end of the machine.

Fluoroscopy. — Machine to deliver a satisfactory current for making fluoroscopic
observations.

Connections. — Such fuses and internal connections as may be required to operate the
outfit: two 10-foot lengths of best quality No. 2 flexible conductor cord with suitable lugs,
etc., on its ends, for connecting the machine with the terminals of the main feed wires.

Each machine to be complete, with all necessary connections, to be practically noiseless
in operation, and to run without noticeable vibration.

Each outfit to be well constructed mechanically in every detail; materials to be best
quality; workmanship and finish to be first class in every respect. Apparatus to be so con-
structed that it can be set up and all electrical connections made without the aid of an
expert and all parts of the outfit to be readily accessible for inspection.

All parts of the apparatus, mechanical and electrical, to be guaranteed for two and
one-half years from the date of delivery, during which time breakdowns resulting from defects
in the apparatus will be repaired by the contractor without expense to the purchaser.

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 585

Detailed blue prints and specifications for the apparatus, showing clearly the internal
construction of the various parts, to accompany each bid. Such blue prints and specifica-
tions as are not required will be returned to the bidder. The acceptance of each machine
shall be contingent upon actual testing out of machine at place of delivery specified in
contract of purchase.

Specification B, Portable and Base Hospital X-ray Table

Table, X-ray, for portable apparatus, consisting of pair of cast aluminum end frames;
slotted to receive four tubing members each 6 feet long, each end of these four members
(which are interchangeable) to be provided with a screw and handle which locks them rigidly
in place in the slots, providing a light, strong, and rigid frame upon which the regulation
litter or a special top may be laid. The top of the table will have the following
specifications:

Dimensions. — Length over all, 83 inches; width over all, 26 inches; rails, 2 by 2 inches.

Material. — Rails and handles of straight-grained sound wood, free from knots. Handles
round, straight-grained rod of suitable size. Tops of " Continental Bakelite," approximately
one-tenth inch thick and of dimensions as ordered by the builder.

Finish. — Woodwork to be finished in as nearly waterproof manner as possible. No
finish on Bakelite.

Construction. — Rectangular frame 6 feet 4 inches by 26 inches outside; well constructed.
Each side rail to have a groove as shown by sample submitted. Rail slit to take Bakelite
top, with glue and dowel pin, as shown in model and sample submitted. Top to be as tense
as material will permit.

Rail frame. — To allow shift of patient; rectangular frame of straight grained 2 by
2-inch wood. One side rail with raised ridge to take groove of top. Crosspieces to be
attached under side rails with screws and angle iron, to allow these pieces to fit between
metal frames of standard table 6 feet 2 inches inside. Side rails to be 6 feet 8 inches long.

A roller-supported carriage is constructed to travel on tops of the upper side members
and fitted with roller bearings. This carriage consists of two side members of square
cross section and two transverse members of round cross section. Traveling on the round
cross members and underslung thereirom is a tube box supported by spool rollers witli
roller bearings, box to be covered with lead having weight of 4 pounds to a square foot.
The opening in the middle of the top of the box will be provided with diaphragms, the
shutters of which may be moved independently and give a diamond-shaped opening or
slit parallel to long axis of the table at will. The box must be so constructed as to carry
conveniently and safely the special type of Coolidge tube described below and provide for
free access of air to the radiator. Stops should be provided on the tube-box carrier, which
with sliding rings provided with milled head screws will permit of a tube shift of (a) 10 cm.,
(6) 15 cm., (c) any desired shift to be measured by calipers. The tube mounting must be
provided to pass through the end of the box and with attachments for Coolidge filament
and operating wires from the reels. A simple catch is provided to fasten the tube carrier
in place. The radiator must be protected from injury by covering the ventilating openings
with wire netting. Convenient brakes are to be provided to fix the tube carriage in
its longitudinal and lateral runs. A string-operated switch, 10 amperes, 250 volts, is to be
provided, having special clamp to attach same to table and with eyelets on the carriage to
keep string in place. The switch must open or close two circuits simultaneously. Flexible
4-wire cable is attached to this switch, having at the other end plug connection fitting
sockets in the instrument box.

Fluoroscope, for portable apparatus; dimensions 10 by 10 inches. The carrier to have
the following features:

1. It must run easily on suitable bearings on two side rails of the table.

2. It must be readily locked in any desired position independent of tube box.

3. Provision should also be made to lock the carrier to the tube box.

4. The arm carrying the screen should be capable of rotation about a vertical axis.

586 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

5. A metal frame holding the screen should be fastened to this arm at one corner of
the frame so as to allow rotation of the screen about a vertical axis passing through the
corner.

6. The screen, with its frame and lead glass, should be easily removable from the holder
to permit its use separately when desired.

7. The screen will be pierced in its exact center by circular hole, 3 mm. in diameter and
lined with aluminum.

The specifications for the base hospital table are identical with those above except as
follows :

1. The tube box shall take the regular type of tube instead of the radiator type. The
mounting on the carrier to be interchangeable with the placing of the stretcher top or its
movement parallel to the length of the table.

2. Suitable high-tension insulated leads are to be attached by clamps to the ends of
the table so arranged as not to interfere in any way with the placing of the stretcher top
or its movenment parallel to the length of the table.

Specification C, For Tdbe Stand

The tube stand shall be of the general type originated by the Kelley-Koett Co., so
constructed and counterbalanced that the tube carriage will move smoothly and easily and
remain in any position without adjustment of screws or other contrivances. The stand
must be of strong and rigid construction so that there is no noticeable vibration when in
use, nor perceptible movement of the tube carriage when being used for compression of the
abdomen while the patient breathes. Arrangement must be made for shifting the tube
both laterally and in the direction of the length of the table and for tilting it for stereoscopic
work.

Stand must be provided with a lead glass bowl equal in capacity to one-sixteenth inch
lead. The base must be of a size and weight to render stand secure against overturning
and provided with large easilj- acting and tracking castors with at least one-half inch trail.
Highest part of base must not exceed 6 inches from floor. Stand must be provided with
slot for diaphragms and filters and with two cones, one 5-inch and one 6-inch diameter, and
a set of aluminum filters of 1, 2, 3, and 4 mm.

PORTABLE X-RAY OUTFIT APPARATUS

Booster, for portable apparatus, to take care of drop in voltage, in filament circuit when
full lead is thrown on the gas-electric set; shall be of such design that with its primary in
series with the supply voltage and its secondary in series with the primary of the filament
transformer it will compensate for the drop in voltage to such an extent that the filament
current will not vary over 0.2 ampere from its original setting; furnished with switch by
which booster can be short-circuited.

Gasoline electric set (Delco), for portable apparatus, consisting of a one-cylinder
gasoline engine with a built-in generator, with the following modifications: (1) Special
armature winding with slip rings so that both alternating and direct current are available,
direct current being used for field excitation; (2) special ignition system, rendering use of
storage batteries unnecessary; (3) special voltage control by which a solenoid fed by direct
current supply controls the carburetor; (4) suitable resistance across alternating-current and
direct-current terminals to protect from surges. Capacity, 750 watts. Each machine to be
packed in a permanent shipping and carrying case, and to be furnished with one set of extra
brushes and fuses.

Filament control, inductive type, capable of giving a variation over a range from 4 to 5
amperes in the filament circuit.

Rheostat for solenoid control of engine speed, to have a resistance of approximately
2,000 ohms and to be capable of carrying continuously not less than 0.25 ampere, to be
substantially constructed, the wires shellacked or enameled in position and with metal bands
clamping the windings at end of cylinder.

Transformer, for portable apparatus, closed-core type, both terminals developed, oil
insulation, provided with an oil-tight top. When excited by the gas-electric set described

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 587

above and using only one-half of the sine wave, it shall be capable of delivering to the X-ray
tube 10 milliamperes, with a useful voltage corresponding to a back-up spark of 5 inches
between points; this useful voltage to be determined by connecting a kenotron in series with
the X-ray tube and measuring the potential drop across the tube by means of a point gap
in parallel with the tube. The higher inverse voltage resulting from the use of only one-
half of the wave shall be measured by means of a point gap in parallel with both the X-ray-
tube and kenotron and shall not exceed useful voltage by 3 inches.

Transformer, Coolidge filament-lighting, oil insulated, with an oil-tight cover; primary
and secondary windings to be insulated from each other for a voltage not less than that
corresponding to a back-up spark of 8 inches measured between points. With double cord
reel for connecting the cathode of the X-ray tube and the transformer; Victor Electric
Corporation's standard transformer for 110 volts, 60 cycle, or equivalent.

PORTABLE X-RAY TABLE TOP

Dimensions. — Length over all, 83 inches; width over all, 26 inches; rails, 2 by 2 inches.

Material. — Rails and handles of straight-grained sound wood free from knots. Handles
round, straight-grained rods of suitable size. Tops of " Continental Bakelite," approximately
one-tenth inch thick and of dimensions as ordered by the builder.

Finish. — Woodwork to be finished in as nearly waterproof manner as possible. No
finish on Bakelite.

Construction. — Rectangular frame, 6 feet 4 inches by 26 inches outside; well constructed.
Each side rail to have a groove as shown by sample submitted. Rail slit to take Bakelite
top with glue and dowel pin, as shown in model and sample submitted. Top to be as tense
as material will permit.

Rail frame. — To allow shift of patients. Rectangular frame of straight-grained 2 by
2 inch wood. One side rail with raised ridge to take groove of top. Cross pieces to be
attached under side rails with screws and angle iron. To allow these pieces to fit between
metal frames of standard table 6 feet 2 inches inside. Side rails to be 6 feet 8 inches long.

A roller-supported carriage is constructed to travel on tops of the upper side members
and fitted with roller bearings. This carriage consists of two side members of square cross
section and two transverse members of round cross section. Traveling on the round cross
members and underslung therefrom is a tube box supported by spool rollers with roller
bearings, box to be covered with lead having weight of 4 pounds to square foot. The
opening in the middle of the top of the box will be provided with diaphragms, the shutters
of which may be moved independently and give a diamond-shaped opening or slit parallel
to long axis of the table at will. The box must be so constructed as to carry conveniently and
safely the special type of Coolidge tube described below, and provide for free access of air to
the radiator. Stops should be provided on the tube-box carrier, which, with sliding rings,
provided with milled-head screws, will permit of a tube shift of (a) 10 cm.; (6) 15 cm.; (c)
any desired shift, to be measured by calipers. The tube mounting must be provided to
pass through the end of the box and with attachments for Coolidge filament and operating
wires from the reels. A simple catch is provided to fasten the tube carrier in place. The
radiator must be protected from injury by covering the ventilating openings with wire
netting. Convenient brakes are to be provided to fix the tube carriage in its longitudinal
and lateral runs. A string-operated switch, 10 ampere, 250 volts, is to be provided,
having special clamp to attach same to table and with eyelets on the carriage to keep string
in place. The switch must open or close two circuits simultaneously. Flexible four-wire
cable is attached to this switch having at the outer end plug connection fitting sockets in
the instrument box.

Fluoroscope, for portable apparatus; dimensions, 10 by 10 inches; the carrier to have
the following features:

1. It must run easily on suitable bearings on two side rails of the table.

2. It must be readily locked in any desired position independent of tube box.

3. Provision should also be made to lock the carrier to the tube box.

4. The arm carrying the screen should be capable of rotation about a vertical axis.

588 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

5. A metal frame holding the screen should be fastened to this arm at one corner of the
frame so as to allow rotation of the screen about a vertical axis passing through the corner.

6. The screen, with its frame and lead glass, should be easily removable from the holder
to permit its use separately when desired.

7. The screen will be pierced in its exact center by circular hole, 3 mm. in diameter, and
lined with aluminum.

Tube, special, Coolidge air-cooled type, with radiator type of anode. Tube 334 inches
in diameter, tungsten target, backed with copper connected to heavy copper rod extending
outside tube and connected to air-cooled radiator, capable of rectifying its own current. A
shipping and carrying case is to be provided by the company furnishing tube, to be of the
general design of that furnished by the General Electric Co.
Voltmeter, alternating current, scale 0-175.

Instrument box, of substantial construction is to be provided in which arc permanently
the following:

X-ray transformer.
Coolidge filament transformer.
Filament control.

Milliameter C-15 M. B. Weston miniature preferred.
Voltmeter as specified.
Rheostat as specified.
Wiring diagram.
Operating switch.
General design as set up by the Victor Electric Corporation. To be furnished with
approved insulators removable for shipment, well-constructed reels, good chest handles or
equivalent, split plug connectors, and connecting cable 50 feet long.

Specifications for United States Army Bedside X-ray Unit

Cabinet and tube holder. — To be made of best quality polished quartered oak. Door
to have piano hinges full length. Base of cabinet, 24 H by 15 by 1%, cabinet 15 inches
wide, 19 inches long, and 36 inches high, j^-inch stock. Polished on all sides. Cabinet to
be mounted on rubber-tire wheels 4 inches in diameter. Mounted on the base a nickel-
plated tube stand with a ball-bearing arm, ball-bearing head at top, a tube holder made of
wood to support the lead-glass holder at each end, and arranged so that the tube can
be put into any position. The whole arrangement counterbalanced. The nickel-plated
stand to be of 2\4 inch tubing, 5 feet over all. Lead-glass shields are to be used in
connection with the special radiator type of Coolidge X-ray tube, the opening of 2 inches
in diameter to be covered with 1 mm. of aluminum, properly mounted on the shield. This
lead-glass shield to entirely inclose the X-ray tube, except at the end and the 2-inch
opening. This shield to be made of lead glass equivalent to one-sixteenth inch of metallic
lead, must be of uniform wall thickness, and pressed instead of blown.

High-tension transformer. — To be of such a size that it will fit in the upper portion of
the cabinet, and is to be mounted in a steel tank with an oil-tight top. To be of the closed-
core type and to have the filament current transformer inside of the same tank. Trans-
former tank to be mounted on a well-braced shelf, rigidly fastened for trans-Atlantic
shipment, and leaving sufficient space below shelf for apparatus hereinafter mentioned.
Transformers to be designed so that they will deliver a current of 5 milliamperes at a 5-inch
useful voltage to the Coolidge tube, and under these conditions operating on the 110-volt,
60-cycle current; the total primary current is not to exceed 5 amperes. Transformers to
be designed so that they will operate on any frequency from 25 to 133, without any change
in controls or wiring systems. The primary of the transformer to be arranged so that it can
be used with a 110-volt direct-current rotary, a 110-volt alternating current, or a 220-volt
direct current, so that in order to change from alternating current to direct current it is
simply necessary to throw the switch to the proper side. These positions to be plainly
marked with the words "alternating" on one side and "direct" on the other.

Cable. — An 8-foot cable to be supplied to connect with the electric service. A 10-foot
cable with a foot switcli is to be supplied, so arranged that both the filament current
and the high-tension current come on at the same instant.

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

589

Milliampere meter. — A milliampere meter is to be mounted in the top of the cabinet to
measure tube current, reading from to 10 milliampere meters. This milliampere meter is
to be connected in series in the middle of the secondary and to be grounded to the case.

Reels. — There is to be a single reel to connect with the positive end of the Coolidge
tube, and a 2-wire cable with a lamp socket, to connect with the negative end of the
Coolidge tube. All binding posts, tape, or other electrical connections are to be plainly
labeled in such a manner as to avoid danger of removal or erasure.

Wiring diagram. — A complete wiring diagram is to be attached to the inside door of the
cabinet, protected by a thin sheet of transparent celluloid, and explicit statements of the
changes needed in connection when using other than the current herein specified shall be
given thereon.

Extension cords. — Twenty-foot lengths with suitable terminals.

X-ray apparatus for base hospital, 500 to 1,000 beds

Apparatus, X-ray, interrupter less type, to operate
on type of current stated in contract. ..number.. 1

Apron:

Lead, protecting, with leather straps do 2

Waterproof, 50 inches long. do 1

Box for localizing apparatus do 1

To contain the following:

1. Parallel wire device lor Strohl's method.

2. Blaine's parallax localizer.

3. Localizing scale for cross-thread method.

4. Profondometer localizer.

5. Ilirtz compass.

6. Fluoroscopic adapter for Ilirtz compass.

7. Sutton localizing set.

Box lined with T V-ineh sheet lead, water-tight, to be
connected with sewer; inside measurements, 42
inches long, 22 inches wide, 19 inches deep. This
box to hold tanks for developing, etc. (to be made

by carpenter) number..

Box lined with K-inch sheet lead on all sides; 10
inches wide, 20 inches long, IS inches deep, made
of 5i-inch lumber, with hinged lid: for protec-
tion of X-ray plates (to be made by carpenter)

number.. 1

Box wooden, 12 inches long, 12 inches wide, 3 inches

deep (to be made by carpenter) number.. 3

Bonnet, fluoroscopic (to be purchased in France)

number.. 2

Brush, camcl's-hair, 3-inch do 1

Carriers, plate, core:

10 by 12 inch size, monel metal. dozen.. 1

14 by 17 inch size, monel metal do }

Carrier, film (case) Eastman, for development:

10 by 12 dozen.. 1

8 by 10 do 1

14 by 17 do }

Charts, eye localizing, Kelley-Koett number.. 200

Chemicals:

Barium sulphate, for X-ray diagnosis.pounds.. 50

Chrome alum. do 5

Formaldehyde do 5

Hydroquinone do 5

Metol, or equivalent do \

Potassium bromide ...do 1

Sodium carbonate, dry do 5

Sodium hyposulphite do 100

Sodium sulphite, dry do 15

Compass, Hirtz (to be purchased in France)

--- number.. 1

Fluoroscopic, adapter for do 1

Crocks, earthenware, 5-gallon number..

Films:

Dental-
Holders for development, P3astman__do

1>2 by 2}4 inches (No. 4) gross. .

\M by W% inches (No. 1).. do

X-ray—

14 by 17 inches ..dozen..

10 by 12 inches do

8by 10 inches do

5 by 7 inches do

Film holders (case type) Eastman, 10 by 12 inches
to accommodate 10 by 12 and 8 by 10 films between

2 screens dozen..

Funnels, enamel ware, 0-inch. number..

Glass cutter do

Glass, lead, A inch thick, 8 by 10 ineh pieces..

Gloves, opaque, protective, gauntlet.— pairs..

Goggles, automobile type, fitted with red and green
superimposed clear polished celluloid, Arlington
Pyralin, colors 24 and 181, 0.01 inch thick, finish

H. H pairs..

Insulators:

4-arm, for high-tension wires do

Wall for carrying high-tension wires through

partitions .number..

Lead foil, medium thickness .pounds..

Light, incandescent, blue, with pull switches

__ number..

Lead, in sheets, 4 pounds to square foot._squarefeet__
Localizer:

Eye, Kelley-Koett number..

Profondometer .. __ sets..

Sutton do

Blaine's parallax number..

Marker, skin (to be purchased in France) do

Pitchers, enamel ware, 2-quart do

Preservers, negative:

For 14 by 17 plates do

For 10 by 12 plates do

For 8 by 10 plates do

For 5 by 7 plates do

Paper, tracing:

14 by 17 inches sheets..

10 by 12 inches do

Plate rack, folding, for 12 plates number..

Pencils, grease, Blaisdell,red and blue, of each. do...

Plate changer, stereoscopic, for 14 by 17 plates,

Kelley-Koett number..

10
1
1

10
10

5

3
10

2
100

100
200
400
100

500

500

2

6

590

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Plates, X-ray:

14 by 17 inches .dozen..

10 by 12 inches do

8 by 10 inches do

5 by 7 inches do

Rack, tube, 5-inch holes, wooden (to be made by

carpenter) dozen..

Ruler, wood (Ifi inches) with metric system, having
2 metal buttons 3 mm. in diameter, the centers of

which are exactly 10 cm. apart number..

Reels, trolley:

Plain do

Double-Coolidge. _ do

Roentgenoscope, vertical, arranged for Coolidge tube,
box protected by sheet lead V 8 inch thick on front
and sides, furnished with good grade fluoroscopic
screen, 11 by 14 inches, mounted in screen holder
with protected handles and covered with lead glass

at least ■,> inch thick . number..

Rotary converter, ~ l /- 2 kilowatts capacity, complete
with starting box and switches, capable of contin-
uous operation at 7H kilowatts ami of sustaining
an overload of 150 per cent for 10 seconds, and to
deliver a satisfactory alternating current to the
X-ray machine from a direct-current source (to be
furnished only where direct current is the sole

source of supply) number..

Safe light, dark room, W rat ten. _ do

Sandbags, 3 by 4 by 8 inches, empty do

Scale, localizing, for cross-thread method do

Screens, intensifying:

Mounted in cassettes, detachable-
Size 14 by 17 do

Size 10 by 12 do

Size 8 by 10 do

Size S by 7 do

Without cassettes, furnished in cardboard
folder-
Size 14 by 17 number__

Size 10 by 12 do

Size 8 by 10 do

Sizes by 7 do

Stand:

Tube, Kelley-Koett type, with 2 cones, 5 and

7 inch number.. I

Insulating, for Coolidge tube transformer-do 1

Stereoscope, Wheatstone, furnished with four 100-
watt nitrogen lamps permitting of gradual regula-
tion number.. 1

Switch:

Foot, so devised that the room may be in total
darkness without either X ray or electric light,
or with X ray on and no electric light, or with
lights on and no X ray (Kelley-Koett)

number. _ 1

High-tension—

Double-throw, Coolidge equipped do 1

Single-throw, Coolidge equipped table, base

hospital type number.. 1

Tank, porcelain:

4 X A by 1454 by 20 inches. do.... 1

14M by UH by 20 inches do._._ 2

Thermometer, bath do 2

Trays, enamel ware:

For 14 by 17 plates do 2

For 10 by 12 plates do 2

Tools, set, consisting of hammer, saw, case opener,
large and small screw drivers, and heavy cutting

pliers sets._ 1

Transformer, Coolidge tube, insulated against break-
down test of 50,000 volts.. number.. 1

Tubes, Coolidge:

Medium focus do 3

Special radiator type .do 2

Tubes, tungsten target, 7-inch do 2

Tunnel, plate changing, aluminum, 17 by 17 inches,

with one plate draw number.. 1

Wire, copper, spool 12 yards in length, No. 18 spools

number. _ 1

Wedge, wooden, 12 by 3 inches, angle 23° do 1

Wires, bronze, for trolley system, No. 10 feet 150

X-ray apparatus for hospital of 75 to 150 beds

Apparatus, X-ray, interrupterless type, to operate
on type of current stated in contract, specifica-
tions A number.. 1

Apron:

Lead, protective . do 1

Waterproof, 50 inches long do 1

Box lined with r V>nch sheet lead, water-tight, to be
connected with sewer; inside measurements 42
inches long, 22 inches wide, 10 inches deep; this box
to hold tanks for developing, etc. {to be made by

carpenter at hospital) number.. 1

Box lined with ^-inch sheet lead on all sides; 10
inches wide, 20 inches long, 18 inches deep, made
of a 4-inch lumber, with hinged lid; for protection
of X-ray plates (to be made by carpenter at

hospital) number.. 1

Carriers, plate, core;

10 by 12 inches, Monel metal dozen.. 1

14 by 17 inches, Monel metal... do \-

Chemicals:

Barium sulphite for X-ray diagnosis ..pounds.. 10

Chrome alum do 1

Ilydroquinone.. do 1

Metol or equivalent ...ounces.. 2

Sodium carbonate, dry pounds.. 5

Sodium hyposulphite do 25

Sodium sulphite, dry do 5

Crocks, ear! hen ware , 5-gallon number. . 2

Films, dental:

Holders for developement, Eastman do 2

l>i by 1% inches dozen.. 6

Funnels, enamel ware, 6-inch number.. 2

Fluoroscopy 11 by 14, special folding, with demount-
able stand and detachable plate-holding device

number.. 1

Glass, lead, T \ inch thick, 8 by 10 inches pieces.. 1

Gloves, opaque, protective, gauntlet pairs.. 1

Goggles, automobile type, fitted with red and green
superimposed clear polished celluloid, Arlington
Pyralin, colors 24 and 181, 0.01 thick, finish H.H

_ number.. 1

Insulators:

4-arm for high-tension wires do 2

Wall, for carrying high-tension wires through

partitions _ ..number.- 3

Lead, sheet, 4 pounds to square foot. ..square foot... 100

Pitchers, enamel ware, 2 quart number.. 2

Preservers, negative:

For 14 by 17 plates do 100

For 10 by 12 plates do 200

For 8 by 10 plates „ .do 400

Plate rack, folding, for 12 plates <jo 2

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

591

Plates, X-ray:

14 by 17 inches dozen..

10 by 12 inches do

8 by 10 inches do

Rack, tube, 5-inch holes, wooden (to be made by

carpenter) number..

Reels, trolley:

Plain do

Double Coolidge do

Safe, light, dark room \V ratten do

Screens, intensifying, mounted in cassettes, detach-
able:

14 by 17 number..

10 by 12 do

Stand, tube, Kelley-Koett type, specification C.

number..

Stereoscope, Wheatstone do

Switch:

Foot, so devised that the room may be in total
darkness without either X ray or electric light,
or with X ray on and no electric light, or
with lights on and no X ray (Kelley-Koett)
_ _. number..

Switch— Continued.

High-tension, double-throw .number.. i

Table, base hospital type, specification B do i

Tank, porcelain:

m by U 3 4 by 20 inches ...do I

14M by UH by 20 inches.-- do 2

Thermometer, bath-.. do l

Trays, enamel ware:

For 14 by 17 plates do 2

For 10 by 12 plates ...do 2

Transformer, Coolidge tube .do l

Tubes:

Coolidge, medium focus _._do 2

Tungsten target, 7-inch ...do 2

Tunnel, plate changing, aluminum, 17 by 17 inches,

with one plate draw number.. ]

Wedge, wooden, 12 by 12 by 3 inches, 23° do i

Wire, bronze, for trolley system, No. 10 feet.. 150

X-Ray Outfits for Hospital of Skventy-fivk Beds ok Less

EQUIPMENT

United States Army bedside unit 1

Coolidge tube, radiator type 2

Rotary converter that will start on 110 volts with-
out requiring a starting resistance. Must operate
unit as on 110- volt alternating current.
Fluoroscope, 11 by 14, special folding, with demount-
able stand and detachable plate-holding device as

furnished by Waite & Bartlett _ 1

Fluoroscope, hand, with 1-piece extra lead glass 1

Gloves, gauntlet, lead rubber _. 2

Auto transformer, V/ 2 kilowatts, 110 to 220 1

10-ampere screw fuse plugs 4

Extra set of brushes for rotary converter 1

10-ohm resistance for 220-volt rotary 1

Extra lead glass shield i

Extra reel 1

(Joggles, automobile type, fitted with red and green
superimposed clear polished celluloid, Arlington
Pyralin in colors 24 and 181, 0.01 inch thick, finish

II. H pairs.. 1

Foot switch (W. & B. dental) 1

Apron, protective __ 1

Box, illumination, S by 10 inches 1

Chemicals:

Chrome alum.. ..pounds..

Hydroquinone do

Metol ... ounces..

Potassium bromide... pounds..

Sodium carbonate, dry do

Sodium hyposulphite do

Sodium sulphite, dry do

Films:

Dental, negative, \% by \\i inches gross..

X-ray—

5 by 7 inches, Eastman Kodak Co.

dozen..

8 by 10 inches, Eastman Kodak Co._do

Gloves, opaque, protective, gauntlet... pair..

Pitcher, enamel, 2-quart

Safe lights, Eastman Brownie

Screens, intensifying, aluminum cassettes:

5 by 7 inches

8 by 10 inches

Trays, enamel ware:

14 by 17 inches.. _ _.

8 by 10 inches

1
2
4

1
2

10

2

10

10

1

1

Portable Outfit Complete with Accessories

Portable outfit, apparatus as per list sets..

Camel's-hair brush

Carriers, film (case), Eastman, for development:

8 by 10 ..dozen..

10 by 12 do

14 by 17 do

Chemicals:

Chrome alum .pounds. .

Formaldehyde do

Hydroquinone do

Metol, or equivalent ounces . .

Potassium bromide do

Sodium carbonate, dry ...pounds..

Sodium hyposulphite do

Sodium sulphite, dry do

Dental films, \\i by l£g gross..

Developing tray:

14 by 17, porcelain lined..

10 by 12, porcelain lined

Film holders (case type) for radiographic work,
Eastman, to accomodate 10 by 12 films between

two screens

Films, X-ray:

14 by 14 dozen..

10 by 12 do

8 by 10 do

5 by 7 .do

Funnel, enamel ware

Goggles, automobile type, fitted with red and green,
superimposed clear polished celluloid, Arlington
Pyralin colors 24 and 18, 0.01 inch thick, finish
II. II pairs..

592

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Graduates, 250 c. c

Localizer, eye, Kelley-Koett __nuruber..

Oharts, eye, Kelley-Koett do

Nut wrench, Carl, 6-inch, with thin jaws, Kelley-
Koett number..

Powders, developing, Eastman, each to make one

quart of developer number..

Protective aprons do

Protective gloves, gauntlets pairs__

Rack, plate drying, folding, for 1 dozen plates

number..

Ruler, wood, IS inches long, metric system one side,
English system other, with metal buttons, their
centers being exactly 10 cm. apart, Kelley-Koett

number..

Safe light, oil or candle do

2
1

200

Sandbags, empty, 5 by 4 by 18 inches number..

Screens, intensifying:

14 by 17, in cassettes do

8 by 10, in cardboard folder do

10 by 12, in cardboard folder. do

Thermometer, bath... do

Tools, set of, consisting of hammer, saw, case opener,
large and small screw drivers, heavy cutting
pliers ...number..

Tunnel, plate changing, 17 by 17, with one plate
draw -_sets--

Wirc:

Annunciator pounds..

Copper, spool 12 yards in length. No. 16. pound. .
Cable, 50 feet number. _

Mobile X-ray Outfit

PORTABLE X-RAY OUTFIT MOUNTED IN AMBULANCE BODY

Booster for portable apparatus

Gasoline-electric set (Delco)

Filament control, inductive type

Rheostat for solenoid control of engine speed

Transformer:

For portable apparatus, closed core type, oil

insulation, with oil-tight top

Coolidge filament lighting, oil insulated, with

an oil-tight cover

Table, X-ray, for portable, apparatus complete,

with rail frame

Table tops of continental Bakelite

Fluoroscope for portable apparatus, 10 by 10 inches,

with carriers

Tube, special Coolidge air-cooled type, with

radiation type of anode

Voltmeter, alternating current, scale C— 175

Instrument box, in which are permanently the
following:

X-ray transformer

Coolidge filament transformer.
Filament control.
Milliameter, to 15 milliamperes.
Voltmeter as specified.

Instrument box, etc. — Continued.

Rheostat as specified.

Wiring diagram.

Operating switch.

Tool set complete

Cables, 50 feet

UNITED STATES ARMY BEDSIDE X-RAY UNIT

Cabinet and tune holder

High-tension transformer..

Cable:

8-foot, to connect with electric service

10-foot, with foot switch

Milliamperemeter, reading to 10 milliamperes...

Lead-glass shield

Reels:

Single, to connect with positive end of Cool-
idge tube

A 2-wire cable, with Camp socket, to connect

with negative end of Coolidge tube

Wiring diagram

Extension cord, 20 feet

Rotary converter (will start on 220 volts 1

Fluoroscope.il by 14, special folding, as furnished
by W. & B

10-ampere screw fuse plugs

PURCHASES

Because of the variation in the types of electric current generated by the
various electrical plants throughout the United States, orders for specific
apparatus could not be given until the sites of the camps had been selected and
the type of current to be furnished at each camp had been ascertained. Letters
were written to the various electric power companies in the vicinity of the
camps very shortly after the location of the camps had been furnished the
Surgeon General. 6 This information was compiled and furnished the officer in
charge of the New York medical supply depot. Instructions were issued May
25, 1917, for the purchase of 30 interrupterless apparatus. As soon as it became
known that current was available at the hospitals the contracts to the five
principal manufacturers of apparatus were let. 4 By the time the contracts
were let the number of apparatus to be purchased had increased to 37. 4 Dis-
tribution within the United States was made quite promptly. Additional
machines were furnished as new camps and larger hospitals developed.

Very soon after the military program for the shipment of troops overseas
had been made know to the Surgeon General, instructions were issued by the

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 593

finance and supply division of his office for the purchase of 100 complete outfits
for hospitals of 1,000 beds for shipment to France. 7 In order to provide for
various types of current, instructions were issued November 1, 1917, to purchase
50 rotary converters, 73^ kilowatts, shunt wound, 1,800 revolutions per minute,
to operate on 220-volt direct current and to produce practically 154 volts, 50
cycle, alternating. Also 50 step-up transformers, primary, tapped for 80, 110,
154 volts; the secondary to deliver 220 volts; all transformers to be oil
insulated. 8

Following the principle of breaking up the orders, these 100 machines
were distributed among four manufacturers. 7

In the fall of 1918 arrangements wore in progress for the purchase of 100
additional outfits, but before the purchase was consumated hostilities ceased.
The total number of these large machines purchased during the World War
appears in the tabulation, p. 600.

PORTABLE OUTFITS

The first order for portable outfits was for 25 placed during the early sum-
mer of 1917. The order for this number was placed with a view of equipping
the hospitals at National Guard camps. That plan was shortly changed
because it was decided to build the hospitals at those cantonments in pavilion
form and to provide them with electric current. This made it possible to utilize
the stationary apparatus. 9 The portable apparatus were accordingly set aside
for shipment to France.

The 25 originally were augmented by 75 in instructions issued from the
Surgeon General in the fall of 1917. All of these were intended for shipment
overseas. 10 Additional purchases of these outfits were made from time to time
as required to meet the situation; in all, 393 outfits were purchased.

BEDSIDE UNITS

The first purchase of bedside units was directed in instructions issued
from the Surgeon General's Office September 13, 1917." These instructions
directed the purchase of 100 such units, including tubes, fluoroscopes, rotary
converters, and autotransformers. By that time the special tube required for
this outfit had been perfected by the General Electric Co., and the instructions
called for the purchase of 200 such tubes. Of these outfits, 80 were to be
shipped to France and the remainder distributed within the United States. A
further order for 150 bedside units was placed in March, 1918; subsequent
orders raised the number to 547.

In procuring the various types of apparatus, delays in delivery were
experienced. These delays for the most part were due to difficulties in
getting raw materials and semifinished parts and to those incident to the
congestion of the transportation lines. Some of the delays were due to faulty
organization and factory operation, but those delays were eventually overcome
and full cooperation was secured. While the prices for the large interrupterless
apparatus varied somewhat with the different makes, the cost of this apparatus
to the Government was reasonable and as a rule concessions were made. 12
30663—28 38

594 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

DISTRIBUTION

As has already been indicated, each large hospital in the United States
was provided with a standard interrupterless X-ray machine and complete
outfit. The smaller hospitals were provided with appropriate equipment.
The hospitals at the flying fields were furnished the standard bedside unit. 13
The shipments of the standard interrupterless machines and other bulky pieces
of apparatus were made direct from the makers to the hospital in which they
were to be installed. Except for the delays incident to slow transportation,
no inconvenience resulted. The apparatus was usually at the camp and
installed as soon as the hospital was ready to function. The bedside units
were all received at the New York depot, from which, with appropriate
equipment, they were shipped to the hospital for which intended. In these
shipments no special packing or arrangements were made other than those
common among the makers.

The larger part of the equipment was intended for use and found its way
overseas. The quantities sent overseas and those placed in use for domestic
purposes appear below (p. 600).

In preparing the equipment for shipment to France, special precautions
were taken to make sure that the various parts of any particular equipment
could be collected readily and the entire outfit assembled for issue. The plan
adopted at the New York depot to meet this end is quoted below.

March 12, 1918.
From: Medical Supply Officer, United States Army, New York City.
To: Medical Supply Officer, Medical Supply Depot,

American Expeditionary Forces, France.
Subject: Seventeen portable X-ray equipments.

1. We shipped you, on March 4, the 17 complete original portable X-ray equipments
ordered last fall, in accordance with specifications issued at that time. For your
convenience, these boxes were numbered according to a system devised to simplify their
assembling into equipments.

2. Each piece is marked with an equipment number, denoted by a roman numeral, and
a piece number, denoted by a regular arabic number. The equipments are numbered from
1 to 17 in roman numbers (I to XVII) and the piece numbers range from 1 to 13 in arabic
numbers.

3. In assembling an equipment complete, for reshipment to a point in France, all that
will be necessary will be to pick out an equipment marked with a roman number and the
pieces marked with the arabic number from 1 to 13, as —

ONE SET

Roman No. Arabic No.

I 1

I 2

I 3

I 4

I 5

I 6

I 7

I 8

I 9

I 10

I 11

I 12

I 13

ONE

SET

ian No.

Arabi

II

1

II

2

II

3

II

4

II

5

II

6

II

7

II

8

II

9

II

10

II

11

II

12

II

13

ONE

SET

nan No.

Arabu

in

i

in

2

in

3

in

4

in

5

in

6

in

7

in

8

in

9

in

10

in

11

in

12

in

13

HOSPITAL SrPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 595

4. The following is a brief description of the pieces numbered from 1 to 13.
Box No. 1 :

X-ray transformer.

Coolidge Transformer, Filament Lighting.

Rheostat for Filament Control.

Rheostat for solenoid control of engine speed.

Booster.

Milliammeter.

Cable for connecting transformer to electric plant.
Box No. 2: One large gray box, which is to be used to carry a portable dark-room and
photographic supplies. When shipped, it contained a portable dark room. Photographic
and developing supplies are contained in the bottom of the case as follows:

5 pounds sodium hyposulphite.

1 pound sodium sulphate.

1 pound chrome alum.

2 pounds barium sulphate.
2 lead protective aprons.

2 funnels.

2 pair goggles.

2 trays, 14 by 17.

2 pair gauntlet gloves.

2 pitchers.

Box No. 3: Gasoline electric set for generating electricity for X-ray transformer.
Boxes No. 4, 5, and 6, in all equipments, are carrying cases for the radiator type of
Coolidge tube. Each contains such a tube. There should be 3 tubes for each equipment.
Therefore, there should have been 51 tubes shipped, but instead of this there were 26 tubes
shipped. The balance of 25 tubes, to make up the balance quantity 7 of 51, has been turned
over to Maj. Leo Wald, School of Military Roentgenology, Cornell Medical College, 28th
Street and First Avenue, New York City. They are to be brought over as part of the
personal baggage of the Sanitary Corps men, soon leaving for France. This is to insure
the tubes reaching there on time.

The number of the boxes forwarded in the shipment from this depot direct to you, are
as follows:
Equipment No. — Equipment No. — Continued.

I 5 X 4 and 6

III 4, 5, and G XI 5

IV 5andti XII 5 and 6

V 5 and 6 XIII 6

VI 4 and 5 XVI 4 and 5

VIII 5 and 6 XVII .._ 4, 5, and 6

IX 4, 5, and 6

Box No. 7: Contains photographic material and supplies from the Eastman Kodak
Company, as follows:

10 dozen films, X-ray, 8 by 10 inches.

3 dozen plates, X-ray, 8 by 10 inches.
2 Brownie safe lights.

5 packages X-ray developing powder.
Box No. 8: 3 dozen plates, 10 by 12.
Box No. 9:

2 dozen plates, 10 by 12.

2 dozen plates, 8 by 10.
Box No. 10:

1 dye localizer.

2 plate-changing tunnels, 10 by 10.
2 plate-changing tunnels, 12 by 12.
2 plate-changing tunnels, 17 by 17.

596 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Box No. 11: 3 stretcher tops and one stretcher top frame. (This material is for use
with the portable table.)

Box No. 12: Portable table, base.
Box No. 13: Portable table, top.

5. We have shipped you, by registered parcel post, two separate boxes, each contain-
ing 17 padlock keys. These packages were marked, " Keys for padlocks on portable
darkroom carrying cases." These are for piece No. 2 in all the equipments.

6. We have also shipped you 3 boxes, eacli containing 34 padlock keys, marked "keys
for padlocks on carrying cases — portable X-ray outfits." These are for the carrying cases
for the Coolidge tubes, piece Nos. 4, 5, and 6, in all of the equipments.

7. The keys shipped as mentioned above have been separated into different boxes to
insure at least one set reaching you safely. The keys are interchangeable.

Colonel, Medical Corps, U. S. A.

The difficulties in obtaining the necessary pieces of apparatus to complete
these equipments delayed the shipment of X-ray outfits to France. By the
end of April, 1918, however, the following outfits had been delivered to
Pier 45, North River, for shipment to France: u 65 standard base hospital units,
17 standard portable outfits, 80 standard bedside units. Each of these outfits
was complete when it left the depot. By the end of June the numbers had
been increased to 100 base outfits, 97 portable outfits, and 165 bedside units. 15
Complete information concerning each shipment was furnished the medical
supply officer, A. E. F. By the end of the year the total shipped had reached
those given in the column overseas on the list (p. 600).

X-RAY TUBES

When the United States entered the World War two principal types of
X-ray tubes were being purchased: A so-called gas tube and a Coolidge tube.
The tendency appeared to be in favor of the Coolidge tube, but many of the
roentgenologists who were called into the service were accustomed to using the
gas tube, and that class of tube was purchased in considerable numbers. This
tube had the further advantage that several firms were manufacturing it, and
only one firm the Coolidge tube. Consequently, in equipping the hospitals
with X-ray tubes it was decided to provide a proportion of both types. At
this time only the large or standard Coolidge tube was being manufactured,
and this required for its use devices for rectifying the direction of the current.
With the development of the portable and the bedside units, smaller tubes,
capable of rectifying their own current, were developed and later came to be
supplied in large numbers. The respective numbers of Coolidge tubes and gas
tubes purchased are given in the list of X-ray apparatus (p. 600).

Inasmuch as platinum was required in varying amounts in the manufacture
of the different types of tubes, the increasing platinum shortage made necessary
a modification of the type of tube to be furnished. Because of the large
quantities of platinum used in the platinum target tubes, manufacture of that
type of tube was discontinued in favor of the tungsten target tube, there being
no shortage of the latter metal. The quantity of platinum ultimately used in
all makes of tubes was greatly reduced, it being found that even the platinum
wire used, anode and cathode, could be materially reduced and still give
satisfactory results. 16 In the effort to conserve the supply of platinum all

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 597

broken X-ray tubes, especially those of the platinum target type, were salvaged
and the metal parts turned in to the New York medical supply depot for the
recovery of the platinum they contained. 15

Tube makers were advised by the Surgeon General, March 28, 1918, to
discontinue the manufacture of the platinum target tubes and air-cooled tubes
and to confine manufacturing efforts to the tungsten target tubes only. 17 On
July 2, 1918, instructions were issued to the medical supply depot, New York,
that all platinum-faced target tubes returned to the depot for repair were to be
classified immediately as scrap regardless of the condition of the tube, and that
no repair on tubes of that class would be authorized. No parts of these tubes
was considered of any value except the target. The tubes were obsolete and
the platinum exceeded the value of the tube. 15 Previous instructions had been
issued directing the platinum target tubes to be turned over to purchases of
platinum as scrap. 18 All platinum in the United States at that time was
practically controlled by the Government. Scrap platinum thus turned in
found its way back into articles containing platinum which were being manu-
factured for the Government. It was necessary to obtain priority for the
platinum required for X-ray tubes being purchased. 19 While at times there
was a slight delay in obtaining these priorities, no material difficulty was
experienced or undue delay therefrom. 20

For a time the tubes were tested at the medical supply depot, New York,
but later the practice was discontinued. 21

DISTRIBUTION

As previously noted, the original requirements for all hospitals were met
by shipment either from the New York medical supply depot or direct from
the tube makers. A considerable breakage was reported in these tubes, and
because of the transportation facilities the interval which elapsed between the
time the tubes were forwarded for repair and their receipt back at the hospital
became rather Long. The need for a more prompt exchange of tubes was felt.
To facilitate this exchange and to insure the more prompt arrival of the tubes
at the requiring hospital, the Surgeon General issued instructions April 8, 1918,
to the medical supply officers concerned to establish a stock of tubes at
Chicago, Atlanta, San Antonio, and San Francisco. 22 Ten tubes each, Coolidge
medium focus and tungsten target 7-inch, were ordered to each of these
depots, with instructions to issue the tubes only on approved requisitions to
such posts as required them. They were directed to make requisition on the
New York depot for requirements of this stock from time to time as issue
made necessary. 23 A minimum stock of three tubes was required. Whenever
the stock was reduced to that number requisitions were forwarded for enough
tubes to bring the stock up to 10 tubes of each type.

X-ray tubes turned in for repair were sent to the New York depot, where
they were replaced by shipment of a new tube, and the damaged tube, if
worth repairing, was sent to the manufacturer for repair. 24 The original
tubes, when repaired and received back at the New York depot, were placed
in stock for reissue. 25

598 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The number of X-ray tubes required in France was very large. Originally,
they were prepared for shipment there in very light " bird-cage " crates, in which
the tube was supported in place by a sling of ticking. These cages had projec-
tions at the bottom to prevent their being tipped over. It had been found
that shipping them in the vertical position resulted in less breakage than in
any other position, hence, the design of the crate. For various reasons, partly
due to the manner in which these bird-cage carrying cases had been handled,
a very extensive breakage was reported from overseas. A special box was
designed to carry the tubes which it was thought would be sure to prevent the
breakage. These special boxes consisted essentially of a strong outer box and
an inner box suspended on springs. In the inner box the tube was placed, and
supported as carefully as it could be. It was found that the breakage of tubes
shipped by this method was considerably greater than that which resulted from
the shipment in the light bird-cage crate. This was apparently due to the fact
that in unloading it the stevedores did not recognize the fragile nature of the
material and the boxes were handled more roughly. A drop of the box of a few
feet was sufficient to break tbe tube. The breakage caused a great deal of
anxiety to both the Medical Department and the General Electric Co., which
supplied the tubes. It was decided to discontinue the use of the special box
and to make all shipments in the bird-cage crate. 26 An inspection of the
loading procedures at the port of embarkation indicated that the tubes were
very often laid on the side and that no precaution was taken to secure them in
place. Other than this they were handled in a careful manner. 27

At the request of the General Electric Co., authority was given that organ-
ization to direct the storing of this special type of cargo. 28 Under this policy
the tubes were practically the last articles of equipment to be loaded on the
transport. They were stored between decks with life preservers and mattresses
as dunnage. No winches were worked on the boat after the tubes had been
placed aboard. The tubes were carried up by hand and carefully placed in
the hold so that no breakage occurred in the loading. On the arrival of the
transport overseas the tubes were unloaded before any of the other cargo was
removed. As a result, the breakage was almost entirely eliminated. 26 The
tubes were shipped from the factory at Schenectady either by truck, if a truck
train happened to be passing through on its way to New York, or by express. 29
After delivery in France an equal amount of care was taken in handling them
from base ports to supply depots, and thence to the hospitals which required
them.

FLUOROSCOPIC SCREENS

After the early purchases, little difficulty was experienced in obtaining an
adequate number of screens of suitable quality. As the quantities required
increased, the difficulties in securing satisfactory screens increased in like pro-
portion. Ultimately, however, a satisfactory screen was obtained in numbers
to meet the demand.

As the X-ray work in the various camps developed, the number of plates
required steadily rose. The demands for plates from overseas were also increas-
ing. The requirements by the end of March, 1918. had risen to such heights

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 599

that doubt began to be entertained concerning the ability of the manufacturers
to obtain sufficient glass to meet them. With a view of reducing the consump-
tion of plates the following instructions were issued:

April 17, 1918.
From: The Surgeon General, United States Army.

To: All hospitals, and Cornell Medical College, Fort lliley, and Fort Oglethorpe.
Subject: Plates and films in X-ray work.

1. The question of an adequate supply of photographic glass suitable for coating in the
making of sensitized X-ray plates is becoming a very pressing one. It may reasonably be
expected that within a short time 14 by 17 plates will be practically unobtainable unless
efforts are made to conserve this glass by avoiding the use of the smaller sizes of plates.

2. Fortunately, there has been developing a photographic film, double coated, and
covered by an emulsion fully as sensitive and fast as that with which plates are coated.
This film has many advantages. First, it is obtainable and will be obtainable. Second, its
weight and bulk as compared to the corresponding quantity of plate surface is infinitely in its
favor. Third, its cost is actually less than that of the photographic plates.

3. It is therefore desired by the X-ray division that requisitions from the various X-ray
laboratories should call for increasing quantities of this special X-ray film and decreasing
quantities of plates.

4. 14 by 17 plates for chest work will of necessity be furnished until such time as a
satisfactory method of emploj'ing films for stereoscopic chest work has been devised.

5. The advantages of these films, aside from their lack of weight and bulk, are that
they are actually faster than plates, that they are capable of giving beautiful detail, and
that large numbers of films can be developed in tanks or trays of small size. These films
are particularly adaptable for gastro-intestinal work, and when used between two screens
are exceedingly fast.

6. For shipment overseas these films may be expected to practically supplant plates for
the reason that 100 dozen 10 by 12 films weigh less than 5 per cent and do not occupy more
than 5 per cent of the space of the same quantity of ordinary glass plates.

7. Film holder to be employed in the development of these films will be supplied on
requisition, and there will also be supplied with these films, and without requisition, a
heavy opaque paper folder to be employed in place of the ordinary light-type envelope.

8. It is directed that great care be taken in the handling of these films to avoid finger
marking the emulsion and kinking the celluloid upon which the gelatine emulsion is coated.

9. Where these films are employed in the ordinary black and orange envelopes care
must be taken to avoid surface scratching by the edges of the envelope, which scratches will
appear as black streaks upon development.

Prior to 1917 the principal dependence in X-ray work had been upon
plates. X-ray films were but little used except in dentistry. Developments
were in progress, however, even then, for the production of the larger size
films required for X-ray work. Samples were submitted by the manufacturers
and found very satisfactory in stomach and gall-bladder work and for other
equally exacting requirements. 30 They began to be used in increasing quan-
tities in the Army. They were sent in increasing proportion to France. The
earlier shipments were mostly plates, but the later shipments gave preference
to films. By the end of April, 1918, 9,130 dozen films, assorted sizes, 5 by 7
inches, 8 by 10 inches, 10 by 12 inches, 11 by 14 inches, and 14 by 17 inches,
had been shipped to France. During the same period 7,346 dozen plates, in
sizes, 8 by 10 inches, 10 by 12 inches, and 14 by 17 inches, had been forwarded.
The dental films during that period numbered 3,280 dozen. 14 The total num-
ber of plates and films purchased during the World War period is shown in the
table (p. 600.)

600

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

An investigation of the glass and X-ray plate situation made during the
early part of August showed the shortage of plates from which the Medical
Department had been suffering for several months was more apparent than
real. 31

The American Window Glass Co., makers of the glass used in X-ray plates,
promised all the glass necessary, and further difficulties along that line were
eliminated. 31 Orders were placed the latter part of August for 1,400 dozen
plates per month distributed in the proportion of 600 dozen 14 by 17 inches,
400 dozen 10 by 12 inches, and 400 dozen 8 by 10 inches. The order was to
run for a year. 32

CANCELLATIONS FOLLOWING SIGNING OF THE ARMISTICE

Immediately following official information of the signing of the armistice,
machinery was set in motion for the termination of unfilled contracts for X-ray
equipment and supplies. 33 In the negotiations for the settlement of these
contracts varying proportions of the contracted materials were accepted and
the remainder canceled. Such quantities as the future needs seemed to indicate
as desirable were furnished the contracting officer, and the settlement of all
such contracts was effected in due course and without difficulty.

X-ray apparatus contracted for and distributed up to November 25, 1918

Apparatus

Overseas

Domestic

In depot

Unde-
livered
total

Con-
tracted

Bedside units.

300

00
270
250

87
150
180
327
150
150
520
125

3,833
1,020

197

25

18

109

4

50
122

10
171
184
185
127

753
31H

50

366
100

50

547

470
398
472

Boxes:

Portable instrument...

Changers, plate

Converters, rotary, iy 2 kilowatts

19
10

63
23
50
75
21
81
78
106
82

800

520

Localizers, eye

Roentgenoscopes . ...

150
50
35
35

122

400
397
393
417
409

Sets. Delco electric* ...

Stands, tube.

Stereoscopes ... _.

Tables

27
240

361

7,626
1,836

Tubes:

Coolidge .

Gas, 7-ineh. . ..

X-RAY FILMS AND PLATES

Films,
Eastman

Plates

Total

Eastman

Diagnostic

dozens

DENTAL

VA by 15-8 inches (No. 1)

48, 474

20, 727

90

6,131
40, 331

9, 250

40, 063

112

48, 474
20, 727

X-RAY

5,523
22,218

11,654

8 by 10 inches

5,710

8)^ by 14 inches

9,250
63,442

10 by 12 inches ._ _

18,071

822

23,383

5,308

7,718

HOSPITAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT 601

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from Arthur C. Christie, to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, January 15, 1921.

Subject: Account of X-ray apparatus used by the U. S. Army in the World War.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^L^.™-

(2) Letter from Dr. Lewis Gregory Cole, Chairman, Committee on Preparedness, Amer-

ican Roentgen Ray Society, to Col. Fisher, S. G. O., War Department, April 27,
1917. Subject: X-ray apparatus. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
14744-A.

(3) Letter from A. D. Ballon, Council of National Defense, to Lieut. Col. Fisher, M. C,

S. G. O., May 1, 1917. Subject: X-ray apparatus. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. 0., 14744-C.

(4) Letter from the medical supply officer, U. S. Army, New York, to the Surgeon Gen-

eral, U. S. Army, August 11, 1917. Subject: Places to be furnished with station-
ary X-ray apparatus. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — — j —

144

(5) First indorsement, Surgeon General, to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 713-539.

(6) Letters from Maj. A. C. Christie, Reserve Corps, to various light and power com-

panies in the United States, June 2, 1917, relative to type, voltage, and cycle of
current furnished by them. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
14846-D to I.

(7) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, October 25, 1917. Subject: X-ray apparatus for 100 base hospitals. On file,

_. , „ , „. . . „ „ „ 808 X-rav
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^= — *■■

(8) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, November 1, 1917. Subject: X-ray apparatus for 100 base hospitals. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ■ — r-^ — -•

(9) Letter from Maj. A. C. Christie, M. R. C, to Col. H. D. Snyder, August 23, 1917,

relative to the purchase of X-ray equipment. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

a n „ 713-539
S. G. O., 5(J .

(10) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, November 28, 1917. Subject: Portable X-ray apparatus. On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., -'■

(11) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, September 13, 1917. Subject: X-ray supplies. On file, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., — ^„ —

(12) Letter from Major A. C. Christie, M. R, C, S. G. O., to the Wappler Electric Com-

pany, New York, N. Y., June 5, 1917, relative to X-ray machines. On file, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14846-N.

(13) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, October 16, 1917. Subject: X-ray apparatus for aviation camps. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., * •

(14) Report on X-ray apparatus, equipment, and supplies, shipped from Medical Supply

Depot, New York to France, embracing period from July 1, 1917, to April 27, 1918,

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -—-

602 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(15) Third indorsement, Surgeon General, to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, July 2, 1918, relative to X-ray tubes turned in for repair. On file,

v . , a i tv • • a n n 713-539 N YD
finance and Supply Division, S. (_». ()., ;=- — —

(16) Letter from Green & Bauer (Inc.), Hartford, Conn., to G. C. Johnston, major M. R. C,

S. G. O., March 26, 1918, relative to platinum in X-ray tubes. On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^ G -^ B .

(17) Letter from Maj. Geo. C. Johnston, M. R. C, S. G. O., to E. Matchlett & Sons, New

York City, March 20, 1918, relative to manufacture of platinum-faced target X-ray

tubes. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 463 E ' M " C - .

(18) First indorsement, Surgeon General, to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, June 24, 1918, relative to disposition of platinum from X-ray tubes

i- n «i t?- ,a i ™ ■• • a n r> 713-539 N YD '

turned in. Un file, finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., nn . —

(19) Letter from Lieut. Col. A. C. Christie, M. C, N. A., S. G. O., to the General Electric

Co., Schenectady, N. Y., March 12, 1918, relative to priorities. On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. 0., ^— ' ~ C - ■

(20) Telegram from F. M. Hoben, General Electric Co., New York, to Lieut. Col. A. C.

Christie, S. G. O., March 21, 1918, relative to platinum. On file, Finance and

Supplv Division, S. G. O., ^?~£ 39 .

50/

(21) Letter from the medical supply officer, New York City, to Maj. George C. Johnston,

S. G. O. April 25, 1918. Subject: Testing Coolidge tubes. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., 713-539 N. Y.

574

(22) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, April 8, 1918. Subject: Supply of X-ray tubes. On file, Finance and

Supplv Division, S. G. O., ffi Misc.
'37

(23) Letters from the Surgeon General to the officers in charge, Medical Supply Depots,

Atlanta, Chicago, San Antonio, and San Francisco, April 8, 1918. Subject: Supply

of X-ray tubes. On file, Finance and Supplv Division S G O 7 — 3 Mist L-

37

(24) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, N. Y., May 25, 1918. Subject: Coolidge tubes for issue from Supplv
Depots. On file, Finance and Supply division, S. G. O., 713 Misc.

(25) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge. Medical Supply Depot, New

York, July 6, 1918. Subject: Procedure in replacement of X-ray tubes returned

for repair. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O. - 13 ~— |^J • D .

806

(26) Letter from Lieut. Col. George C. Johnston, M. C, U. S. A., to Mr. K. S. Kendrick,

General Electric Co., Supply Department, Schenectady, N. Y., October 4, 1918,'
relative to overseas shipment of X-ray tubes. On file, Finance and Supply Division'
- „ _ 263 G. E. Co.
S.G.O., 34

(27) Letter from Supply Department, General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y. to Lieut

Col. A. C. Christie, S. G. O., June 6, 1918, relative to loading of X-ray' tubes on
ships. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — -— .

HOSPITAL SUPPLIER AND EQUIPMENT 603

(28) Fourth indorsement, from the commanding general, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken,

N. J., to chief of Embarkation Service, Washington, D. C, June 22, 191S, relative

to loading X-ray tubes for overseas shipment. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

_ _ n 263 G. E. Co.
S. C. (.)., —gg

(29) Letter from Howard W. Dunk, 604 West One hundred and twelfth Street, New York,

N. Y., formerly sergeant, first class, Medical Department, to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe,
M. C, May 7, 1927, relative to the operation of the X-ray department, Medical
Supply depot, New York, 1917-18. Data compiled from depot records. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - 1243

(30) Letter from Maj. A. C. Christie. M. R. C, S. G. O., to Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester,

N. Y'., June 30, 1917, relative to X-ray plates and films. On file, Finance and

. _.. . . _ _, _ 55 Misc.

Supply Division, 8. G. O., 1

(31) Memorandum for Colonel Daruall from Maj. George Johnston, M. R. C, August 8

1918. Subject: Shortage of X-rav plates. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

S. G. O., 75 ™ SG
635

(32) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

Y r ork, August 19, 1918. Subject: Contract for X-ray plates. On file, Finance and

a , t-.. • • o /-■ r\ 713-539 X. Y.
Supply Division, S. G. O.,

(33) Letters from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, November 13, 1918, relative to cancellation of contracts. On file, Finance

j o , t->- • - a n ,^ 713-539 N. Y.
and Supply Division, S. G. O., n60 _ 1164 •

SECTION VII
DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

CHAPTER XXXVIII

DENTAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

PORTABLE DENTAL OUTFIT

Professional dentistry was introduced into the Army of the United States
in 1901 following the act of February 2 of that year reorganizing the Medical
Department. This act provided, among other things: '

That the .Surgeon General of the Army with the approval of the Secretary of War, be,
and he is hereby, authorized to employ dental surgeons to serve the officers and enlisted
men of the Regular and Volunteer Army, in the proportion of not to exceed one for every
one thousand of said Army, and not exceeding thirty in all. Said dental surgeons shall be
employed as contract dental surgeons under the terms and conditions applicable to Army
contract surgeons and shall be graduates of standard medical or dental colleges, trained in
the several branches of dentistry, of good and professional character, and shall pass a
satisfactory professional examination: Provided, That three of the number of dental surgeons
to be employed shall be first appointed by the Surgeon General, with the approval of the
Secretary of War, with reference to their fitness for assignment under the direction of the
Surgeon General, to the special service of conducting the examinations and supervising the
operations of the others.

By the act of March 3, 1911,* a Dental Corps was added to the Medical
Department, replacing the contract dental surgeons authorized by the act
of February 2, 1901. This act increased the number of dental surgeons to
60 and provided for as many acting dental surgeons as might from time
to time be authorized by law. The total number of dental surgeons and
acting surgeons was limited to one to each 1,000 actual enlisted strength
of the Army, the same as in the preceding act. This act placed the dental
surgeons of the Army upon a permanent and substantial footing.

In accordance with the act of February 2, 1901, the number of contract
dental surgeons was limited to 30 and in no case was this number to exceed 1
per 1,000 of the enlisted strength of the Army. The strength of the Regular
Army at that time was approximately 60,000. The troops were widelj'
scattered. Because of this dispersion, and in order that as many of the
enlisted personnel as practicable might receive dental treatment, dental surgeons
were given a number of stations which they served on itinerary. This itinerary
required that each contract dental surgeon have a dental outfit which could
readily be taken with him wherever his itinerary called him and which
would enable him to furnish the treatment required. It was necessary that
the outfit be portable and packed in such manner that it could be shipped

605

606

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

readily and the contents be made available with a minimum of inconvenience.
Such an outfit, consisting essentially of a portable engine and chair and the
necessary instruments and accessories, was developed in 1901. Because of
the conditions in which it was to be used, this outfit almost from the beginning
was called a portable outfit.

A suitable foot engine was found which could be taken apart and packed
in a small case about the size of an ordinary dress-suit case. This case was
made of fiber board and contained compartments in which the several parts
of the engine could be securely fastened for shipment. The case was provided
with suitable catches and locks.

Fig. 39.— Portable dental outfit

An ingenious chair was developed which consisted of a skeleton frame,
tripod base, and adjustable back and headrest. Seat, back, and supporting
part of the headrest were made of canvas. The chair could be taken apart
with facility and packed into a small box fitted with a compartment to receive
each part. The foot rest consisted of two metal bars with cross pieces and
when in use was attached to the top of the chest in which the chair was packed.
The foot rest packed inside the chest with the chair for shipment. The gen-
eral appearance of the chair and dental engine is shown in Figure 39. In this
illustration the dental engine carrying case and one of the dental instrument
chests appear in the right foreground.

The contents of the portable dental outfit changed from time to time. As
advance in dental procedures progressed, new articles were added and obsolete

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

607

articles discarded. The contents of the outfit, as modified, appeared in each
succeeding revision of the standard supply table from 1902 to 1916, inclusive.
In May, 1917, the dental equipment then in use was revised for war
purposes. The list of contents of the outfit follows.

Portable outfit

M. M. D. 854.

(o) MEDICINES

•Acidum sulptauricum, % pound, in glass-stopper

bottle bottles.. 1

•Acidum tannicum, powder, 3 ounces, in wide-mouth

bottles bottles-. 1

Acidum trkhloracetieum, 1 ounce, in glass-stopper

bottle bottles.. 1

* Adrenalin chlorid, 1-mgm. tablets, 20 in tube. -tubes.. 1

*Aethylis chloridum, 3 ounces, in metal tube, .do 1

•Alcohol, 1 quart, in bottle bottles.. 12

'Aqua hydrogenii dioxidi, 1 pound, in bottle.. .do 1

•Argenti nitras, crystals, 1 ounce, in bottle do 1

•Chloroformum, % pound, in tin tins.. 2

•Cocainae hydrochloridum, } i ounce, in wide-mouth

bottle bottles.. 1

•Cocainas hydrochloridum, 10-mgm. hypodermic tab-
lets, 20 in tube _ tubes.. 4

*Collodium, 1 ounce, in bottle bottles.. 1

•Cresol, 1 pound, in bottle... do 1

*Emetinae hydrochloridum, 22-mgm. hypodermic tab-
lets, 20 in tube, as required ..tubes.

Eugenol. 1 ounce, in bottle _ bottles.. 1

•Glycerinum, 1 pound, in bottle .do 1

"Liquor formaldehydi (37}"2 per cent), 1 quart, in

bottle bottles.. 1

Mercury, redistilled, 4 ounces, in bottle do 3

*Morphinae sulphas. 8-hypodermic tables, 20 in tube

tubes. _ 3

•Normal saline solution, tablets (par. 902), 100, in wide-
mouth bottle bottles., 1

Novocain, M!-mgm. hypodermic tablets (or equiva-
lent) tubes_. 10

Paraform, compressed tablets, Formacoid type (or

equivalent) ^-grain tablets, 100 in bottle.. bottles. 2

•Phenol, >2 pound, in bottle do 1

Phenol, camphorated, 4 ounces, in bottle do 1

\Sodii carbonas monohydratus, for surgical use. l

pound, in wide-mouth bottle. ..bottles.. 3

Sodium and potassium, in sealed tube tubes.. 6

\Spiritus ammonias aromaticus, ]/ 2 pound, in glrss-

stopper bottle. _. bottles.. 1

•Thymol, 1 ounce, in bottle do 1

•Thymolis iodidum (Aristol), 1 ounce, in bottle-do 2

•Tinctura aconiti, 1 ounce, in bottle do 1

•Tinctura iodi, 4 ounces, in glass-stopper bottle -do 2

(b) STATIONERY

•Bands, elastic, assorted sizes (see par. 844) ..dozen.. 6

•Blotters, hand ___ number.. 2

'Books, blank, 8vo., 150 pages do 2

•Envelopes, official:

•Letter do 150

•Note do ftO

•Eraser:

•Rubber, typewriter do I

•Steel do-__ 1

Examination blanks, No. 2, 50 in pad pads.. 6

Files, Shannon number.. 4

I

10

in

TO

100
LOO

50
3

•Ink:

•Black, powder or tablets (sufficient in box for 1

quart of fluid) ._ ...boxes. .

•Red, 2 ounces, in bottle bottles

•Pads, prescription. _ number

•Paper:

Bloting-

*For desks ._ quires

•Small pieces for hand blotters .pieces

*Carbon, letter sheets. .

•Fasteners _ number..

•Manifolding, letter, perforated sheets .

•Typewriter, letter do

•Writing, letter do

•Note, 100 sheets in pad pads..

•Paste, photo and library jars.. 1

•Pencils, lead number.. 6

•Penholders do 2

•Pens, steel .do 24

Ruler ...do.... l

(C) BOOKS

(Contained in field desk)

Army Regulations.. copies.. 1

Dental Materia Medica, nnd Therapeutics (Print)

_ copies. . 1

Dental Pathology, Therapeutics, and Pharmacology

(Burchard-Inglis) copies..

Dentistry, First-Aid (Ryan) do

Dentistry, operative (Johnson) ...do

Handbook for Sanitary Troops (Mason). . do

Manual for the Medical Department do

Oral Surgery (Brown) do

(rf) BLANK FORMS

(Contained in field desk)

Correspondence book (supplied by Adjutant Gen-
eral's Department) number..

Dental engagement slip, Form 65 do

Invoice of, or receipt for, dental supplies, Form 31

_ number..

Register of dental patients, card, Form 79 do

Report of dental work, Form 57 do

Requisition for blank forms, Form 37 do

Requisition for dental supplies:

Annual, Form 36 do

Special, Form 35 do

Return of medical property-
Front, card, Form 17 ._ ..do

Original, Form 17a .do

Retained, Form 17b do

Back, card, Form 17c do

(() INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES

1

250

24

500
12
4

6

24

4
800
800

4

Alloy balance. .number.. 1

Amalgam carrier, double end, No. 5 do 1

Bands, fracture. Angle's 4 bicuspid and 2 molar.sets.. 2

608

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Blower, chip:

And hot-air syringe, No. 38 number.. 1

Extra bulbs for do 2

Boiler, instrument, small, approximately 12 by G by 4

inches.. number.. 1

Bottles, office, preparation, No. 6, as required., do

Broach reamers, extra fine, and fine, 6 in package, of

each packages . . 3

Burnishers, L, II., Nos. 29, 32, 34-S, 3'.), of each

number.. 2

Case, office:

Oak, preparation, 18 half-ounce glass-stopper

bottles number.. 1

Preparation, extra M-ounce glass-stopper bottles

for number..

Chisels, L. 11., Nos. 3, 33, 34, 41, 42, 48, of each... do 1

Clamps, rubber dam, Ivory's Nos. 19, 20, 21, 22a, 23a,

56 and Bi-nap, of each : number., 1

Cleansers, root canal, Donaldson's or S. S. W., No. 5,

all fine, 6 in package packages,. 12

Corkscrew, folding number.. 1

Elevators:

Knott's type, right and left, metal handle, of

each number.. 1

No. 3, metal handle do 1

Engine, dental:

All cord, with K3 attachment for No. 7 hand piece

number. _ 1

Cable, "A," as required" do

Sheath for, as required a do

Cords for, extra (specify type of engine used). do 6

Duplex springs for, as required a do

Duplex springs, sheath for, part 10X, as required a

number

Hand piece for "M" contra-angle, for slip-joint,

No. 2 number.. 1

Hand piete for No. 7, straight, for slip-joint,

No. 2 number.. 1

Lubricating oil for, 1 ounce, in bottle bottles.. 3

Slip-joint connections for —

Part C2.as required a ._ number

Part F2, as required a do...

Engine instruments for hand piece, "M" contra-angle:
Burrs—

Dentate, 557, 558, 559, 560, 568, of each

_-- _. number.. 12

Fissure, 700, 701, 702, 703, of each do 6

Inverted cone, 33»-2, 34, 35, 37, 39, 41, of each

number.. 12

Plug-finishing, 200, 202, 221, of each do 2

Round, Vj. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, of each do 12

Drills, 100, 103, of each do

-Mandrels:

302,303 of each do 6

Morgan-Max field do 2

Poiuts, carborundum, medium grit, mounted, 183,
186, 187, 189, 211, 219, 226, 227, 234, 241, of each

number.. 2

Engine instruments for hand piece No. 7:
Burrs:—

Dentate, 557, 558, 559, 560, 568, of each, .do 12

Fissure, 700, 701, 702, 703, of each do 6

Inverted cone, 33^2, 34, 35, 39, 41, of each, do 12

Plug-finishing, 200, 202, 221, of each do 2

Round, H. 1,2, 4, 6, 8,9, of each do 12

Drills, 100, 103, of each do 6

Engine instruments for hand piece No. 7 — Continued.

Mandrels —

302, 303, of each number., fi

Morgan-Maxfkld do 3

Points, carborundum, medium grit, mounted, 183,
180, 1S7, 189, 211, 219, 226, 227, 234, 241, of each

-. ...number.. 2

Excavators, Black's cutting instruments, 1, 17, 19,21,
23, 34, 37, 39, 49, 50, 57, 58, 63, 64, 67, 68, 73, 74, 81, 83,

of each number.. 2

Explorers, L. 11., 5, 6, 11, 12, 18, of each do 2

Forceps, rubber-dam:

Clamp, Brewer's type do

Punch, perfected ...do

Forceps, tooth-extracting, Nos. 10, 15, 18R, I8L, 65,

150, 151, 222, of each ..number..

Holder:

For cotton, Methot's type do

For mercury, ebony, No. 2 . do

For nerve broach, No. 2 do

Kubber-dam, Anatomik do

Hone, oil, Arkansas stone, in wooden box do

Lamp, alcohol, No. 26, with llame shield do

Extra wicks for do

Lancet, abscess, metal handle, octagon, No. 5._.io

Lancet, gum, metal handle, octagon, No. 2 do

Mallet, metal case, No. 15 do

Matrix retainer, Ivory's, No. 1 do

Extra bands for, bicuspid and molar, of each, do 1

Matrix strips, copper, soft, X A inch wide, 36 gauge, 5 in

box, 6 inches long.. boxes..

Mechanical dam, automaton ... number..

*Mcdicine droppers dozen.. 3

Mirrors, mouth:

Aluminum handles, No. 4 number.. 2

Extra glasses for, magnifying and plain, size No. 4,

of each number.. 3

Mortar and pestle, glass, No. 2 do 1

Pliers, dressing:

^o. 2 do... 2

No. 17 do... 2

Pliers, office, smooth beak, No. 122 do___

Pluggers:

Amalgam, Woodson's, Nos. 1, 2, 3, of each.. do

Plastic, L. H., Nos. 4, 28, 37, 39, 40, 40a, of each
--- number..

Root-eanal, Donaldson's, Nos. 2, 4,6, of each-do

Pots, medicine, glass, Dappen's green and white of

each number..

Probes, silver do

Saw, dental:

Complete, Gordon White do 1

Extra blades for do 6

Ribbon, M-inch, thin do 3

Scalers:

L. EL, Nos. 3, fi, 30, 33, 34, 40, 41, 54, 59, 62, of
each _ number.. 2

Pyorrhea, as required do

Screw porte, Morrison Improved No. 2 do

Scissors, gum, curved on flat, No. 22 do

Separator, adjustable, Ivory's do

Shears, No. 32 do

Slab, mixing, glass, No. 6 do

Spatulas, Nos. 22, 24, of each do

Strips, celluloid, thin, in boxes of 100 hoxes..

« Supplemental articles required to supply old-type cable foot engine

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

609

Syringe:

Hypodermic—

Dental, all metal, No. 172A number..

All metal, extra needles for, Imperial razor-
edge points, gauge 24, straight and curved,

of each _ ..number. _

Extra needles for conductive anesthesia
(Fischer's type), 42 mms. and 23 mms.

length, as required number

Needles, 42 mm. and 23 mm. length, hubs for,

as required __. number

Water, self-filling, all metal do

Extra pipes for, curved... do

* Thermometer, clinical do

Tool, universal do

Wire, ligature, Angle's, No. 187 boxes..

(J) FURNITURE

'Basins, hand, e. w number-
Chairs, dental, portable, metal frame inchest do

Chest:

Empty, for dental engine (state type) do

Supply, empty do

Instrument, empty do

Cuspidor, nickel-plated, No' fi do

Desk, field, dental, empty do

Stand, portable, complete, less table, for field use,

Clark's type number..

Table, pressed steel, white, No. 90, Harvard type,
table base to fit Clark's type stand ..number..

(ffl MISCELLANEOUS

Alloy, copper, 1 ounce, in box boxes..

Alloys, to comply with Black's physical standards, 1

ounce, in bottle bottles..

Box, soap, metal, small number..

•Brushes, hand, fiber ...do

Cement: «

Copper oxyphosphate, black boxes..

Oxyphosphate, colors, yellow, white, light-gray,

pearl-gray, dark-brown, of each do

•Chamois skins ..number..

•Cotton, absorbent:

In roll pounds. _

Rolls, inches long, % inch, l i inch, H inch in

diameter, 100 in box, of each... boxes..

Cot?, finger, rubber __. dozen..

Covers, paper, aseptic, 12 by 12, for bracket table,

100 in box boxes..

Cups:

Polishing, soft rubber, small number_.

Disks:

Bristle, Nos. 9 and 11, and cup shape, of

each _ number..

Carborundum, knife-edge, diameter H, %, % i, of

each ..number..

In boxes, 100 each—

Sandpaper, sizes )4, %, */ Ay grit 00, as

required number. . .

Garnet paper, sizes J.£, V%, »i, grit J4. as

required number...

Emery paper, sizes H, b A, %, grit 0, as

required _ number..

Cuttlefish paper, sizes J£, %, %, grit fine, as

required _ number. __

Fiber, devitalizing, arsenical, in jar jars..

Floss, silk, waxed, 24 yards in spool. __ spools..

Gowns, operating... number..

•Graduate, glass, 10-c. c do

Gutta-percha, stopping:

High heat, sticks, H ounce in box ...boxes..

Temporary, pink, sticks, 1 ounce in box. ..do

Modeling composition, Perfection (Detroit), M pound

in box boxes..

Napkins, dental, aseptic, 500 in box do

Paper:

Articulating, thin, in books books..

Bibulous, Japanese, 100; sheets in package

_ packages..

Paper points, absorbent boxes. -

Plaster of Paris, French, impression, 4 pounds, in

screw-top tin .-tins..

Points:

Root-canal, gutta-percha. Nos. 8, 10, 12, of each

_ boxes..

Soft rubber, corrugated, No. G, No. L, of each

number..

Pumice stone, powdered, 1 pound, in screw-top tin

tins..

Rubber dam, plain, median, 18 feet by 6 inches, in

sealed tins.. ..tins..

Sandarac, gum, 1 ounce, in carton cartons..

•Soap, Ivory cakes_.

•Soap, scouring pounds..

Stove, alchohol, Dangler type number..

Strips, polishing, assorted grits, in boxes boxes..

•Towels, hand number..

•Tumblers, glass do

Wheel, carborundum, square edge, Nos. 301, 302, 304,

305, of each number..

Wood, orange, sticks, large, 25 in bundle. ..bundles..

1

Jl

Tin, 2 in nest nests..

The articles listed in the tables which are to be furnished by the surgeon from post supplies, under the provisions
of paragraph 491, are indicated by an asterisk before each item. (Par. 852, M. M. D.)

The dental surgeon secured his technical equipment and replenishments on
requisitions in the same manner as other medical supplies were obtained. These
requisitions were made in triplicate and forwarded through the surgeon of the
post at which the dental officer was serving, and the chief surgeon of the
department, to the Surgeon General. These requisitions were forwarded
annually for all articles on the supply table for w^hich a definite allowance was
fixed. The articles for which no definite allowance was fixed and for special
articles not on the supply table, were forwarded quarterly as the need arose. 3
30663—28 39

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

BASE DENTAL OUTFIT

The portable outfit was not particularly adapted to the more complicated
treatment and procedure required at the large hospitals. It contained no
provision for dentures and bridges. Since there was need for a larger and
more extensive outfit for general hospitals and for the larger and more
important military posts, a supplementary unit was provided. 4 It consisted
essentially of a few additional pieces of furniture, including a standard dental
chair and cabinet for instruments, a few additional instruments and a labora-
tory outfit, and the necessary supplies for dentures. This outfit was used in
conjunction with the dental engine, dental instruments, and miscellaneous
supplies of the portable outfit. Provision was made for the use of anelectrical
equipment at a few places where electric current was available. This equip-
ment was originally classified as additional dental outfit. It later came to be
known as base outfit. 4 The contents of this outfit, like that of the portable
outfit, were modified from time to time and revised again in May, 1917. The
contents of the outfit of 1917 provided during the war period, appears below:

Base outfit

[The articles listed in the table which are to be furnished by the surgeon from post supplies are indicated by an asterisk

before each item]

(a) OFFICE FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

Anvil, cast base number.. 1

Apron, rubber do 1

Air compresser, unit, automatic:

Electric, with tank, Xo. 95 I do 1

Tubing, connections and valves, for, as

required,- number

♦Baskets, letter do 2

'Baskets, waste paper do 2

Bench, combination, Xo. 17, with bellows do 1

Bookcase (Globe), oak, sectional, base, top and units,

for books, blanks and records as required .number

•Brooms, corn do 1

•Brooms, whisk do 1

Cabinet, dental, aseptic, pressed steel, No. 510. do 1

•Chairs:

•Arm do 4

Dental (Harvard, Diamond, or Columbia), wood
seat and back (white), as required number

* Office, revolving do ]

•Rocking do 2

•Clock, for office do 1

Cups, drinking:

Paper, 100 in box boxes.. H

Holder No. 1, for number.. I

•Cups, sponge _ do 2

•Cuspidors do 2

Cuspidor, fountain:

No. f>, complete with saliva ejector, floor
connection for, and table attachment, white

enamel number.. 1

Xo. <>, extra bowls for, as required do

•Desk, office do 1

Engine, dental, electric, folding; bracket, all-cord,
with part K>3, for hand piece Xo. 7 where current

is available 2 number.. I

•Envelope opener do 1

Forceps, crown slitting do i

> Issued only to stations where electric current is available.

* Issued only to stations where gas is available.

Heater, electric:

No. 3, spray bottles and water glass '__ number..
No. 3, cut-off No. 4, with 8 feet of tubing for

operating spray bottles ' number..

Instrument boiler, small with gas heating attach-
ment 2 number..

•Jars, large, for dressings do

•Looking-glass do

Mat, rubber, for dental chair do

Mirror, hand, bevel, 5-inch do

•Paper weights do

Port polisher, contra-angle do

Wood points for, assorted in box boxes..

Post puller, Little Giant number..

Root reamer, Peeso's Nos. 2 and 3, for hand piece

No. 7, of each number..

Root facer, safe side, Nos. 7, 8, and 9, for hand piece

No. 7, of each number..

•Screen, bed, folding, frames for, white enamel .do

Shade bar do

•Sheets, cotton, for screen do

•Stamp, penalty do

•Stool, revolving, white enamel (for laboratory) .do

Switchboard, electric, type 1A_ _ do

Syringe:

Hot-air, electric do

Water—
21 A.

do.

1

21 A, extra bulbs for do 2

•Tables, bedside, white enamel do 2

Table, pressed steel, white, Xo. 90, Harvard type,

table base to fit chair arm number.. 1

Trays, aseptic, enamel, steel, \2% by 12^

inches number.. 2

Typewriter do 1

Record ribbons for, as required. do —

Water cooler, gallons do 1

(6) LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

Articulator:

Plain line number.. 1

Crown and bridge, No. 5 do 1

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

611

Blowpipe, automaton ' number. . i

Howls, plaster, A and B, of each do 1

Bridge, repair set do 1

Bridge, repair set, extra nuts for do 6

Brush, laboratory, plain, stiff bristles, % inch. do 1

Burner, Bunsen's, dental, No. 12, with spider '.do 1

Casting machine, as required do

Chalk, prepared, 2 pounds, in friction or screw-top

tin. _tins__

Cones, felt, large, blunt and pointed, of each

... number. .

Dentimeter, Kirk's, No. 2 _do

File, gold, flat, 6-inch do

File, gold, round, (5-inch do

Forceps, mechanical, clasp-bending, No. s,

McKellon's ___ number_.

Gauge, plate and wire, B. & S do

Hammer, swaging, l\i pounds _. ...do

Investment compound, 3-pounds, in tin, as

required number. ..

Knives, plaster, Nos. 5 and 10, of each __do

Ladle, melting, No. 8 ...do

Lamp, alcohol, large, Purdy's do

Lathe, electric, including 7 chucks and bur

chuck 1 ..number..

Lead, J^-pound ingots ._ingots_.

Metal, Mellott's do

Molding compound, !-j-pound tin tins..

'Plaster, for models, 4 pounds in tin do . 2

Pliers:

Contouring —

No. 115, Crescent number__ 1

No. 114, Johnson do

Round nose, No. 107 do 1

Rubber, red _ ...pound.. }i

Sandpaper, No. 00 to 1, of each sheets.. 21

Saw, frame, mechanical number.. 1

Extra blades lor do 24

Shears, Nos. 8, 10, 11, of each .number.. 1

Soldering and heating outfit, gasoline generator, No.

45, complete, less blowpipe stand 3 --. number.. l

Soldering appliance, Mellott's improved, with blow-
pipe, pad, and clamps, complete number.. 1

Spatula:

Plaster, 4-inch do 1

Rubber, 4-inch do 1

Tongs, soldering, 7-inch do 1

Trays:

Lower impression, Nos. 1, 3, 5, 15, 17, 22, of each

-_ number.. 1

Upper impression, Nos. 1, 3, 5, 12, 14, is, of each

number.. 1

Tubing, rubber, l^-incb, heavy wall, white feet.. Hi

Tweezers, Nos. B, C, D, E, L, of each number.. 1

Vise, bench, jeweler's, 2-inch do 1

Wax, carver for. Roach's do l

Wax:

Inlay __ boxes.. 1

Baseplate, pink, H-pound box.. do I

Wheels:

Brush, Nos. 3, 5, 6, 16, 24, 26, of each., .number.. 1
Carborundum, lathe, square edge, 1 and 2 inches,
in diameter, T Vinch wfdth, grits C and E, of

each number.. 1

Felt, square edge, No. 3; round edge. No. 4; knife-
edge, No. 2; of each number.. 1

Whetstone, carborundum, 5-inch do.. 1

Wire, binding, 32 gauge spools..

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES

Burnishers, tantalum, double-end, No. 1__. number.. 1

Spatula, agate or bone do 1

Synthetic porcelain; Caulk's, 10 shade, full portion,

in box* boxes.. I

Shade guide for number.. 1

1

Rubber, red, vulcanite pounds.. 2

Solder, silver ___ ounces.. 1

Swager (metal) _ .number.. 1

Swaging mallet, horn do 1

Tray, wooden, for molding sand do

Vulcanite files, round and half round, of each.. do

Vulcanite scrapers and finishers, Nos. 3, 7, 8, 26, 27, of

each number..

Vulcanizer, 3 flasks, gas or kerosene do

Wire, German silver, gauge 12, 16, and 18, 4-foot

lengths, of each lengths..

Zinc, H-pouad ingots. ._ ingots..

(a) The following articles may a'so be supplied, when required, to deal with extraordi-
nary injuries of the face and jaw:
Anchor flasks number. .

Bolts for sets..

Cuspdie plate. No. 5 number..

Flask " box" do

Flask press do

Ladles, with handle (melting), Nos. 5 and 6, of each

number..

Lead (see Laboratory equipment), as required

-— ingots..

Molding rings, large and small, for metal dies, Bailey

type, of each... __ __ number..

Molding sand, as required ___tins._

Plate, German silver, Brown & Sharpe gauge, No. 30,
size 6 by 6 inches pieces..

1 Issued only to stations where electric current is available.

1 1ssued only to stations where gas is not available.

4 After the original box has been furnished, only the additional bottles of liquid and powder should be asked
for as needed.

DENTAL UNITS

In planning for dental equipment for war use, it was contemplated at first
that the only type of equipment to be furnished would be the portable outfit. 5
Since serious difficulties had been experienced in securing delivery on 100
portable dental outfits purchased in the summer of 1916, the chief difficulty at
that time being to obtain dental engines, the prospect of obtaining an adequate
number of these outfits in 1917 did not seem very bright. However, portable

612

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

outfits were needed wherever the troops were stationed, and that type of
equipment had to be provided; but it was feared, in making early plans for
the supply of dental equipment, that the combined output of all the manu-
facturers of dental apparatus, instruments, and supplies would be unable to
meet the requirements of the Army. 6 As the large hospitals were developed
at the training camps, the need for the larger base outfit at those hospitals
became urgent and it was decided to provide one base outfit for each hospital.
After the troops had arrived at the camps and they were examined physically,
it became evident that dental treatment more extensive than had been
anticipated would be necessary. While peace-time recruiting regulations
required the rejection of applicants who had a number of teeth missing, the
war-time requirements 7 paid relatively little attention to the teeth, provided
the man was otherwise sound. Dentures and restorations became the rule.
Since work of this character could not well be done with the portable outfit,
and the large dental chair and electric dental engine in common use could be
obtained more readily than the portable type, it was decided in the autumn of
1917 to establish at every training camp dental infirmaries equipped with base
dental outfits, where the services of the dental surgeon could be fully utilized
and practically every kind of dental treatment needed could be furnished. 8
After considerable study, it was decided that three or four dental infirmaries,
properly located, could serve the camp better than one. Accordingly, these
infirmaries were designed for one orthodontist and nine operating dental
surgeons. A new unit of equipment was designed for them, the object being
to provide a maximum of service with a minimum of equipment. While dental
chairs and electric engines were provided for each operating dental surgeon,
much of the equipment was used in common. A list of this equipment follows:

Supplies for 1 unit of 9 operating dental surgeons and 1 exodentist for cantonments-
be supplied to each cantonment

(Supplies that may be drawn from hospital stock are not on this table)

-3 units to

(o) Medicines

Acidum trichloraceticum, 1 ounce, in glass-stopper

bottle bottles..

Eugenol, 1 ounce, in bottle ._ do

Mercury, redistilled, 4 ounces, in bottle do

Novocain, 50-mgm. hypodermic tablets, or equiva-
lent tubes..

Paraform, compressed tablets, Fonnacoid type, or
equivalent, with directions, -,'o-grain tablets, 100

in bottle .bottles..

Phenol, y? pound in bottle do

Sodium and potassium, in sealed tube tubes..

(o) Stationary

Erasers, steel number..

Examination blanks do

Files, Shannon do

Ruler ...do

As required.

(c) Books
(d) Blank Forms

3

3

30

Dental engagement slip, Form 65 number.. 5,000

Invoice of, or receipt for, dental supplies, Form 31
.-number.- 50

Register of dental patients, card Form 79.number_. 5,000

Report of dental work, Form 57 do 50

Requisition for blank forms, Form 37 do 8

Requisition for dental supplies:

Special, Form 35 do 100

Annual, Form 30 do 12

Return of medical property:

Front, card, Form 17 do 12

Original, Form 17a do 1,200

Retained, Form 17b do 1,200

Back, card, Form 17c do 12

(e) Instruments and Appliances

Alloy balance number., 9

Amalgam carrier (double end) No. 5 do 9

Bands, fracture, Angle's, 4 bicuspid and 2 molar

sets.. 12

Blower, chip:

And hot air syringe, No. 38 number.. 10

Extra bulbs for do 20

Bottles, office, preparation No. 6 gross.. 1

Boiler, instrument, large number.. 1

Broach reamers, extra-fine, fine, 6 in package, of

each packages.. 24

Case, office preparation, extra X A ounce glass-stop-
per bottles for gross.. \i

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

613

Chisels, L. H. Nos. 3, 33, 34, 41, 42, 48, of each

uumber._

Clamps, rubber dam, Ivory's, Nos. 19, 20, 21, 22A,

23A, 56, and binap, of each number..

Cleansers, root-canal, Donaldson's or S. S. W. No.

5, all fine, 6 in package packages-.

Corkscrew, folding number..

Elevators, Knott's type, right and left, metal

handle each number..

Elevator, No. 3, metal handle do

Engine, dental;

Extra cords for (specify type of engine used)

number..

Handpiece for " M," eontra-angle, for slip joint

No. 2 number. _

Handpiece for No. 7, straight, for slip joint

No. 2 number..

Lubricating oil for, 1 ounce in bottle.. bottles. _

125
1

ENGINE INSTRUMENTS FOR HANPPIECE RIGHT
CONTRA-ANGLE

Burs:

Dentate, Nos. 557, 558, 559, 560, 568, of each

.number.. 120

Fissure, Nos. 700, 701, 702, 703, of each do.... 60

Inverted cone, Nos. 33H, 34, 35, 37, 39, 41, of

each number.. 120

Plug-fiinishing, Nos. 200, 202, 221, of each.do 12

Round, Nos. H, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, of each do 120

Drills, Nos. 100 and 103, of each do 30

Mandrels:

No. 303 do.... 60

Morgan-Maxfield do 30

Points, carborundum, medium grit, mounted, Nos.
183, 186, 187, 189, 211, 219, 226, 227, 234, 241, of each
number.. 24

ENGINE INSTRUMENTS FOR HANDPIECE NO. 7

Burs:

Dentate, Nos. 557, 558, 559, 560, 568, of each

_ number.. 120

Fissure, Nos. 700, 701, 702, 703, of each. ..do 60

Inverted cone, Nos. 33M, 34, 35, 39, 41, of each

number.. 120

Plug-finishing, Nos. 200, 202, 221, of each.do 12

Round—

Nos. H, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, of each... do 120

Drills, Nos. 100, and 103, of each... do 30

Mandrels:

No. 303 do 60

Morgan-Maxfield do 30

Points, carborundum, medium grit, mounted, Nos.
183, 186, 187, 189, 211, 219, 226, 227, 234, 241, or each

_. number.. 24

Excavators, Black's cutting instruments, Nos. 1, 17,
19, 21, 23, 34, 37, 39, 49, 50, 57, 58, 63, 64, 67, 68, 73,

74, 81, 83, of each... number.. 10

Explorers, L. II , Nos. 5, 6, 11, 12, 18, of each

__ number.. 15

Forceps:

Kubber-dam —

Clamp, Brewer's type do 9

Punch perfected.. do 9

Tooth-extracting, Nos. 10, 15, 18R, 18L, 65 150,

151, 222, of, each.. number.. 2

Holder for cotton, Methot's type. — do 10

Holder for mercury, ebony box wood No. l__.do 9

Holder for nerve broach No. 2 do 30

Holder, rubber-dam, Anatomik do 9

Hone, oil, Arkansas stone, in wooden box do 9

Lamp, alcohol:

No. 26, with flame shield number.. 12

Extra wicks for do 48

Lancet:

Abscess, metal handle, octagon, No. 5 do 1°

Qum, metal handle, octagon, No. 2 do 10

Mallet, metal case, No. 15— do 10

Matrix retainer, Ivory's:

No. 1 - do 9

Extra bands for, bicuspid and molars, each, do 120

Matrix strips, copper, soft, H inch wide, 36 gauge, 5

in box, 6 inches long number.. 10

Mechanical dam, Automaton .. do 10

Mirrors, mouth:

Aluminum handles, No. 4 do 18

Extra glasses for, magnifying and plain, size No.

4, of each - number.. 20

Mortar and pestle, glass, No. 2 do 9

Pliers:

Dressing —

No. 2. .-do 20

No. 17 do 10

Smooth beak do 10

Pluggers:

Amalgam, Woodson's Nos. 1,2, 3, of each.do 10

Plastic, L. H , Nos. 4, 28, 37, 39, 40, 40a, of each

__ -_ number-. 10

Root-canal, Donaldson's, No. 2, 4, 6, of each

number.. 10

Pots, medicine, glass, Dappen's, green and white, of

each --- -.number.. 11

Probe, silver do 10

Saw, dental; complete, Gordon White. .do 10

Extra blades for do 30

Scalers:

L. II. Nos. 3, 6, 30, 33, 34, 40, 54, 59, 62, of each

number.. 10

Pyorrhea - ...sets.. 10

Screw Porte, Morrison improved. No. 2. -number.. 3

Scissors, gum curved or Hat, No. 22 .. do 10

Separator - do 9

Shears do lu

Slab, mixing glass No. (i do 10

Spatulas, Nos. 22 and 24, of each do 10

Strips, celluloid, thin, in boxes of 100 boxes.. 20

Syringe, hypodermic:

Dental, all metal, No. 172 A- number.. 10

All metal, extra needles for, Imperial razor-edge
points, gauge 24, straight and curved, of each

dozen.. 5

Extra needles for conductive anesthesia (Fischer's
type), 42-mm. and 23-mm., length 1H inches,

of each.. dozen.. 10

Extra hubs for, 42-mm. and 23-mm. length

needles number.. 10

Tool, universal -_do 2

Wire, ligature, Angle's No. 187 boxes.. 2

(/) Miscellaneous

Alloy, copper, 1 ounce in box ..boxes.. 10

Alloys, to comply with Black's physical standards,

1 ounce in bottle bottles.. 100

Cement:

Copper, oxyphosphate, black boxes.. 10

Oxyphosphate, colors, yellow, white, light gray,

pearl gray, dark brown, of each boxes.. 40

Cotton, absorbent, rolls, 6-inches long, V% inch, Yi
inch, 5s inch, in diameter, 100 in box, of each

boxes.. 1

Cots, finger, rubber dozen.. 6

614

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Covers, paper, aseptic, 12 by 12, for bracket tabfe,

100 in box boxes.. 50

Cups, polishing, soft rubber, small gross.. 10

Disks:

Bristle, Nos. 9 and 1 1 , and cup shape of each .do_ . 2

Carborundum, knife-edge, diameter V-i inch, %

inch, % inch, of each number.. 60

In boxes, 100 each-
Sandpaper, sizes J/2, %, % grit 00 do 10

Oarnet paper, sizes, y 2 , %, %, grit >o\_do 10

Emery paper, sizes, H, H* H, grit 0._do 10

Cuttlefish paper, sizes y it y%, %., grit fine

number,. 10

Fiber:

Devitalizing, arsenical, in jar__ jars.. 10

Silk, waxed, 24 yards in spool gross.. 1

Gowns, operating number.. 50

Gutta-percha, stopping:

High heat sticks, '2 ounce, in box. boxes.. 20

Temporary, pink, sticks, 1 ounce in box.. do 50

Modeling composition, Perfection (Detroit) l A

pound in box boxes.. 20

Napkins, dental, aseptic, 500 in box do 20

Paper:

Articulating, thin, in books, books_. 20

Japanese, bibulous, 100 sheets in package

_. packages.. 20

Paper points, absorbent boxes.. 40

Plaster of Paris, French, impression, 10-pound

carton cartons.. 3

Points:

Root-canal, gutta-percha, Nos. 8, 10, 12, of each

boxes.. 25

Soft rubber, corrugated, Nos. G and L, of each

__ gross.. 1

Pumice stone, powdered pounds.. 10

Rubber dam, plain, medium, 18 feet by 6 inches, in

sealed tins. tins.. 20

Sandarac gum, 1 ounce in carton.. ...cartons., 6

Stove, alcohol, Dangler type (or kerosene) ,numbcr_ . 2

Strips, polishing, assorted grits, in boxes boxes.. 50

Wheels, carborundum, square edge, Nos. 301, 302,

304,305, of each dozen.. 4

Wood, orange, sticks, large 25 in bundle. .bundles.. 25

OFFICE FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

Anvil, cast base number. _ 1

Apron, rubber do 2

Air compressor, unit automatic, electric, with 40-
gallon tank, tubing, and connections.__number._ 1

Bench, combination, No. 17, with bellows.. .do 1

Cabinet:

Dental, small do 9

Filing, Medical Department do 1

Chairs, dental (Harvard Diamond, or Columbia),

white _ number.. 9

Cuspidor, fountain:

Complete with saliva ejector, floor connection
for, and table attachment, white enamel

number.. 10

No. (>, extra bowls for do 3

Engines, dental, electric, folding bracket, all cord,

with part K-3 for II. P. 7 number.. 10

Forceps, crown slitting do 2

Cut-off No. 4, with 8 feet of tubing, for operating

spray bottles and 1 atomizer number.. 10

Root reamer, Peeso's Nos. 2 and 3, for No. 7 H. P.,

of each number.. 9

Root facer, safe side, Nos. 7, 8, 9, for No. 7 H. P. of
each number.. 9

Shade bar number.. 2

Syringe, water 21A . do 10

Extra bulbs for do 24

Table, asceptic bracket do 10

Typewriter do 1

Table for typewriter do I

LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

Anvil, swaging number.. 1

Articulator:

Plain line do 4

Crown and bridge, No. 5 do 4

Bowls, plaster, A and B, of each _..do 1

Bridge, repair set do 2

Extra nuts for do 24

Brush, laboratory, plain, stiff bristles, % inch

number.. 4

Chalk, prepared, 2 pounds in friction or screw top

tin tins.. 3

Cones, felt, large, blunt, pointed, of each. number.. fl

Dentimeter, Kirk's No. 2 do 4

File, gold:

Flat, 6 inches do 2

Half-round, 6 inches do 2

Round, 6 inches do 2

Gauge, plate and wire, Brown tt Sharpe do 1

Hammer, swaging, iy 2 pounds do 2

Investment, compound, 3 pounds in tin tins.. 6

Knives, plaster, Nos. 5 and 10, of each number.. 2

Ladle, melting, No. 8 do 2

Lamp, alcohol, large, Purdy's do 2

Lathe, electric, including 7 chucks and burr

chuck number.. 1

Lead, H-pnund ingots ingots.. 10

Metal, Melotte's. ._ do 10

Molding compound, J-^-pound tin tins.. 2

Pliers:

Contouring—

No. 115, Crescent number.. 2

No. 114, Johnson___ do 2

Round nose, No. 107. _do 2

Rubber, red pounds.. 6

Sandpaper, Nos. 00 to 1, of each sheets.. 50

Saw, Irame, mechanical number.. 2

Extra blades, for do 24

Shears Nos. s, 10, 11, of each do 2

Soldering and heating outfit, gasoline generator.

No. 45, complete, with blowpipe stand. .number.. 1
Soldering appliance, Melotte's improved, with

blowpipe, pad, and clamps, compIete__number._ 1

Spatula, plaster, 4-inch do 2

Tongs, soldering, 7-inch do 1

Trays:

Lower impression, Nos. 1, 3, 8, 15, 17,22, of each
number _. 2

Upper impression, Nos. 1, 3, 5, 12, 14, 18, of each

number.. 2

Tubing, rubber, H-inch, heavy wall, white._.feet_. 16

Tweezers, Nos. b, c, d, e, 1, of each number.. 1

Vise, bench, jeweler's, 2-inch do 1

Wax, inlay boxes.. 6

Wax, pink, H-pound box do 4

Wheels:

Brush, Nos. 3, 5, 6, 16, 24, 26, of each, .number.. 2

Carborundum, lathe, square edge, 1 and 2 inch,
diameter, W-inch width, grits C and E, of each
._ number.. 2

Felt, square edge No. 3, round edge No. 4, knife

edge No. 2, of each number.. 2

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

615

Solder, silver ..ounce., 1

Swager (metal) number.. 1

Swaging mallet, horn do 1

Vulcanite Die, round and half-round, of each. .do 1

Vulcanite scrappers and finishers, Nos. 3, 7, 8, 2, 6, 27,

of each ..number.. 1

Vulcanizer, 3 flasks, gas or kerosene do 1

Wire, German silver, gauge 12, 16, 18, 4-foot lengths,

of each... lengths.. 1

Zinc H-pe-und ingots.. _ _. ingots.. 10

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES FOR EXTRACTING ROOM

Chairs, dental number.. 1

Engine, dental do 1

Cabinet, for ward ...do 1

Tablet, bedside, w. c do 1

Burs:

Bone, Allfort's, Nos. A, B, and C, of each
._ .number 3

Shamburg, surgical, Nos. 1 and 2 of each.. do 2

Instrument boiler, small -do 1

Whetstone, carborundum, 5-inch number.. 1

Wire, binding, 32-gauge spools.. 2

Wax, yellow, impression — pounds..

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES

Burnishers, tantalum double-end, No. 1. .number.. 2

Spatula, agate or bone do 2

Synthetic porcelain:

10 shade, full portion in box boxes.. 2

Caulk's, shade guide for number.. 4

Anchor Masks do 3

Bolts for sets.. 4

Cups, die plate, No.5 number.. 1

Flask, "box" -- do 1

Flask press do 1

Ladles, with handle (melting). No. 5 and 6, of each

number.. 1

Lead - ingots.. 1

Molding rings, large and small, for metal dies, Bailey

type.of each.. number.. 1

Molding sand pounds.. 10

Plate, German silver, Brown & Sharpe gauge, No.

30, size 6 by 6 inches pieces..

The organization of these dental units and the type of work contemplated
is described in the following letter of instructions, promulgated by the Surgeon
General to all officers of the Medical Department concerned, October 16, 1917: 9

DENTAL UNITS

1. Dental surgeons will be organized to work in units, for each of which a dental
infirmary will be constructed. Until such time as dental unit buildings shall be completed,
working space for the dental personnel should be provided in the base hospital and regimental
infirmaries or other suitable available buildings. In selecting such space, due and equitable
consideration should be had for the needs of the dental service.

2. While not permanently assigned to any definite organization, a dental unit will
ordinarily serve a brigade, with such additional organizations as may be conveniently
assigned.

3. Each dental unit will operate under an assistant dental surgeon, selected by the
dental surgeon for his suitability for such detail. All dental officers are under the immediate
control of the dental surgeon, who in turn is under the immediate supervision of the division
surgeon. The dental personnel of the surgical head units will be assigned by the Surgeon
General.

4. Ordinarily one assistant dental surgeon and 10 operating dental surgeons will be
assigned to each dental unit. This number may be modified as circumstances render
advisable, subject to the approval of the Surgeon General.

DENTAL PROPERTY AND REPORTS

b.

Dental reports will be submitted as follows:
To the dental surgeon (direct).

1. Consolidated report by each dental unit.

2. Consolidated report by dental officers attached to the surgical head unit.

3. Individual report by dental surgeons not included above, should there be such.
The dental surgeon will consolidate such individual reports (class 3) as he may receive,

and forward all reports to the Surgeon General, through the division surgeon.

2. The dental property in use by the dental personnel in the camp should be carried on
the return of the camp medical supply officer, who will issue it on memorandum receipts to
such officers as the dental surgeon may designate. All requests for dental supplies and
equipment must be approved by the dental surgeon, who will be responsible for the
submission of the necessary requests for the proper equipment of the dental service at the
camp and for the proper care, use, and preservation of all dental equipment in use.

616 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Types of Dental Work Authorized
in the tjnited states

1. Dental officers will do the usual work now authorized by regulations.

2. The base hospital dental laboratories, dental units, general hospitals, and other
important stations designated by the Surgeon General, will be equipped to do the following
work in addition.

3. Repair of crowns, bridges, and plates for men who have been accepted wearing these
appliances.

4. Making new plates for men for whom their regimental surgeon or the dental surgeon
recommend such work as necessary for health.

IN FRANCE

1. Dental units will be sent over with personnel and equipment sufficient to do
practically the same types of work as described above for the United States. These units
will be assigned to such hospitals, tactical organizations, or territorial sections, as the chief
surgeon may decide.

2. The units attached to the head surgery hospitals will be especially organized with
personnel and equipment to do the types of work required.

EQUIPMENT FOR BASE AND EVACUATION HOSPITALS

Since the dental infirmaries described above were intended for the most
part to furnish treatment to the military personnel not on sick report, it was
necessary to provide means in base hospitals for full dental treatment for such
patients as might be undergoing treatment therein. The list of dental equip-
ment which was compiled for this purpose appears below.

This equipment was designed for economy of apparatus and efficiency of
service. It was intended to provide equipment for four dental surgeons.

Base hospital unit dental equipment
IBasis: 1,000-bed capacity; 4 Dental Corps offlcersl

Medicines

Acidum trichloraceticum, U. S. P., 1 ounce, in amber

glass-stopper bottle bottles.. 4

Aethylis chloridum, 3 ounces in metal tube. tubes.. 4

Alcohol, ethyl, 1 quart in bottle. bottles.. 12

Aqua ammonia fortior, U. S. P., 1 ounce in bottle

bottles.. 8

Aqua hydrogenii dioxidi, 1 pound in bottle.. .do 4

Argenti nitras, crystals, 1 ounce in bottle do 4

Chloroformum, \i pound in tin tins.. 8

Cocainaehydrochloridum, 10-mgm, hypodermic tab-
lets, 20 in tube tubes.. 40

Eugenol, in standard 1-ounce bottles bottles.. 4

Iodine crystals, 1 gm. in tube... tubes.. 40

Liquor cresolis compositus, 1 quart in bottle

bottles.. 4

Mercury, redistilled, 4 ounces in wooden screw-top,

wooden container number.. 48

Morphinae sulphas, 8-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20

in tube tubes.. 4

Novocaine, or procain, 50-mgm. hypodermic "F"

tablets, or equivalent tubes.. 80

Paraform, compressed tablet, Formacoid type, jV-
grain tablet, 100 in bottle, or equivalent.. bottles.. 4

Instruments and Appliances

Amalgam carrier (double-end), No. 5 number..

Blower, chip:

And hot-air syringe. No. 38 do

Extra bulbs for do

Boiler, instrument, small, approximately 12 by 6
by 4 inches (with alcohol lamp that nests inside

boiler, and collapsible legs) number..

Broach reamers, fine and extra fine, 6 in package

packages..

Burnishers:

L. H., Nos. 29, 32, 348, 36, of each number..

Tantalum, double-end do

Case, office preparation, aluminum, with 8 1-ounce
square glass-stopper bottles filled as shown (6
full); Eugenol, phenol, formo-cresol, silver nitrate
(saturated solution); formalin, 25 per cent aqua

ammonia fortior; (2 empty) number..

Chisels:

L. H., Nos. 3, 33, 34, 41, 42, 48, of each.. .do

Maxillo-surgery, set of two, straight and convex,

5 mm. width, Tieman type _ sets..

Clamps, rubber dam, ivory, Nos. 19, 20, 21, 22A,
23A, 56, and bi-nap, of each.. number..

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

617

Cleansers, root canal, Donaldson's, No. 5, all fine,

6 in package packages.. 48

Corkscrew, folding number. _ 4

Curette, antrum, size 2, Tieraan type.. do 4

Elevator, periosteal, dental, Tieman type do 4

Elevators, set of 4 shanks, metal handle, nickel

plated, Dodel or Knott type sets.. 4

Engine, dental, all cord:

With K-4 attachment, slip joint No. 2 (see note

A) number. . 4

Extra cords for do 12

Hand piece for—

Contra-angle ' 'M", for slip joint No. 2.do 8

Straight, No. 7, for slip joint No. 2,. .do 8

Engine instruments for hand piece contra-angle
"M":
Burrs-
Dentate, Nos. 558, 559, 560, 567, 568, or each

number.. 48

Fissure, Nos. 700, 701, 702, 703, of each.do 48

Inverted cone, Nos. 33H, 34, 35, 37, 39, 41, of

each ...number.. 48

Round, Nos. y % , 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, of each.do 48

Plug finishing, Nos. 200, 202, 221, of each

number,. 8

Drills, Nos. 100 and 102, of each... do 48

Mandrel —

No. 303 do 24

Morgan -Max field do 8

Points, carborundum, medium grit, mounted,
Nos. 183, 186, 187, 189, 211, 219, 226, 227, 234, 241,

of each number 8

Polishers, Young's mandrel, do 8

Engine instruments for hand piece, No. 7, straight:
Burrs—
Bone —

Allport A,B,and C, of each._number__ 8

Friedman, Nos. 5, 8, 22, 27, 29, 31, of each

._ number.. 24

Dentate, Nos. 557, 558, 559, 560, 568, of each

number.. 48

Fissure, Nos. 700, 701, 702, 703, of each.do 48

Inverted cone, Nos. 33>4, 34, 35, 37, 39, 41, of

each number.. 48

Plug, finishing, Nos. 200, 202, 221, of each

- _ number.. 8

Round, Nos. ^, 1,2, 4, 6, 8, 9, of each.do 48

Disks, bristle-
Small, stiff, mounted do 49

Cup-shaped, small, stiff, mounted do 48

Drills, Nos. 100 and 103, of each do 24

Facers, root, safe side, Nos. 7, 8,9, of each.do 8

Mandrel, No. 303 ..-do 24

Points, carborundum, medium grit, mounted
Nos. 183, 186, 187, 189, 211, 219, 226, 227, 234, 241,

of each number.. 8

Polishers, Young's mandrel do 16

Reamers, root, Peeso's, Nos. 1, 2, 3, of each

...number 4

Dissolving cup do 4

Excavators, Black's cutting instruments, Nos. 17,
19, 21, 23, 34, 37, 39, 40, 50, 57, 58, 63, 64, 69. 70, 73, 74,

81,83, 93, of each... .number.. 4

Explorers, 1, h., Nos. 5, 6, 11, 12, 18, of each do 4

Forceps:

Rubber -dam clamp-
Brewer's type do 4

Perfected do 4

Tooth extracting, Nos. 10, 15, 18R, 181, 65, 150,
151,222, of each number.. 4

Fracture appliances, Usona, No. 3 fracture outfit, in

small box, including wrenches boxes.. 4

Holders;

Cotton, Methot's type (snap cover like briquet,

keeping cotton from dust) number_. 4

Mercury, ebony boxwood, No. 2 do 4

Nerve broach, No. 2 do 4

Rubber dam, Anatomik do 4

Knife, tenotome, M. O. ?4-inch blade. No. 104,

C.N. D. Cat number.. 4

Lamp alcohol, Capital:

No. 21 do 4

Extra wicks for do 24

Mallet, in metal case, No. 15 do 4

Matrix retainer, Ivory's No. 1 do 4

Extra bands for do 96

Mechanical dam , automaton do 4

Med icine droppers do 12

Mirrors, mouth, Nos. 52 and 53 S. S.W., of each.do 4

Extra glasses for, of each do 12

Mortar and pestle, ground glass, No. 2 do 4

Pliers: dressing-
No. 2 do.... 8

No. 17 do.... 8

Cone socket, No. 102 do 4

P luggers:

Amalgam, Woodson's. Nos. 1, 2 and 3, of each

___ number.. 4

Plastic. 1. h., Nos. 4, 28, 37, 40, 40a, of each.. do... . 4

Root canal Donaldson's, Nos. 2, 4, 6, of each

number. _ 4

Pots, medicine, glass, Dappen's, green and white

number.. 8

Probe, silver, No. 156.5, C. N. D. Cat... do 4

Saws, dental, ribbon, thin, %-inch do 24

Scalers, 1. h., Nos. 3, 6, 30, 33, 34, 40, 41, 53, 59, 62, of

each number.. 4

Scissors, enucleating, No. 576.1, C.N. D. Cat. .do 4

Separator, adjustable, Ivory's do 4

Shears pairs. . 4

Slab, mixing, glass, No. 6 number.. 4

Spatula:

Agate or bone.. do 4

Nos. 22 and 24, of each do 4

Spoons, table, triple-plated ..do 4

Syringes:

Hypodermic—

Luer type, 2 c. c, graduated in one-tenths

number.. 4

Needles for, slip joint, 25 gauge, M-inch

___ number.. 48

All metal, screw joint, (par. 956, M. M. D.,

1916) _ ..number.. 4

Fischer type, screw joint, 2 c. c do 4

All metal and Fischer type, both screw joint,
2 c. c, needles for—

23 gauge, H inch, straight number.. 12

23 gauge, }4 inch, curved do 12

23 gauge, H inch, straight do 12

23 gauge, l A inch, curved do 12

25 gauge, s 4 inch, straight do 24

All metal and Fischer type, both screw joint,

2 c. c, needles for, Shimmel type —

26 gauge, 1 inch, No. 31, short hub
— number.. 16

26 gauge, \V% inch, No. 34, long hub-do.. _ 16
All metal, screw joint, extra lead washers for
number. _ 48

618

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Syringes— Continued.

Hypodermic— Continued.

Screw joint, needles for, Shimmel type —
26 gauge, 1 inch, No. 31, extra short hubs

lor number..

38 gauge, 1*4 inch, No. 34, extra long hubs

for number. _

Water, Moffatt's, No. 21A do

Extra bulbs for ...do

Thermometer, clinical, in case ...do

Tool, universal _ do

Miscellaneous

Alloy, to comply with Black's physical standards, I

ounce in bottle bottles..

Brush, hand, fiber __ .number..

Cement :

Copper oxyphosphate, Ames' standard. boxes..
Oxyphosphate; colors, white, light-gray, pearl-
gray, dark-brown boxes..

Chamois skins number-
Cotton, absorbent:

1 ounce in compressed package packages..

Rolls inches long H inch diameter, 100 in box

boxes..

Rolls 6 inches long, y 2 inch diameter, 100 in tox

boxes. .

Disks:

Bristle, Nos. 9, 11, and cup shape, unmounted, of

each number.,

Vulcarbo, Nos. 3 and 7, S. S, W., of each.. do

In boxes of 100 each —

Sandpaper, size % inch, grit 00 boxes..

Garnet paper, size % inch, grit 3-3 do

Emery paper, size % inch, grit do

Cuttlefish paper, size 5-g inch, grit 0._do

Floss, silk, waxed, 12 yards flat, on spooL-.spools..

Gowns, operating number..

Graduates, glass, 10 c. c do

Gutta-percha, stopping:

High heat, sticks, 1 ounce in box, S. S. W.boxes.
Temporary, pink sticks, 1 ounce in box, S. S. W.

boxes__

Napkins, dental, aseptic, 500 in box do

Oil, lubricating, for dental engines, 1 ounce in bottle

bottles..

Paper:

Articulating, thin, in books books..

Points, absorbent do

Points, root canal, gutta-percha, Nos. 8, 10, 12,

assorted sizes, 50 in container. containers. .

Pumice stone, powdered, 1 pound in screw-top tin

_ tins..

Rubber dam, plain, medium, 18 feet by 6 inches, in

sealed tins tins..

Rubber, red (for pressure anesthesia).. sheets..

Soap:

Ivory cakes..

Scouring __ pounds..

Stove, gasoline _ _ number .

Strips:

Celluloid, thin, 100 in box boxes..

Polishing, assorted grits, in boxes, __do

Synthetic porcelain, Caulk's:

10 shades in box do

Shade guide for number..

Towels, hand.. __ do

Tumblers, white enamel do

150

48

4
4
4
4

144
32

4

4
4

16
8
4

4

12

4
4

240

Wheels, carborumdurn, square edges, Nos. 301, 302,

304, 305, of each number.. 4

Wood, orange sticks, large, 25 in bundle.-bundles.. 4

Dental Laboratory Equipment

Acidum sulphuricum, }<> pound in glass-stopper

bottle _._ bottles.. 1

Aluminum ingots, 3 by 1 by 1 inches number.. 24

Articulator:

Plain line.. do 2

Crown and bridge No. 5 do 2

Asbestos fiber, 1 pound in tins pounds.. 1

Blow pipe, automaton (issued only to stations where

gas is available) number.. 1

Borax, 2 ounces in box boxes.. 1

Bowls, plaster, A and B, of each number.. 1

Brush, laboratory, plain, stiff bristles, J & -inch.do 1

Burner, Bunsen's dental, No. 12, with spider (issued

only to stations where gas is available)__number._ 1
Casting flask and top, Amex, for aluminum dentures

number.. 1

Casting rings, 1 inch in diameter, for inlays... do 2

Caliper, brass, double end... do 1

Chalk, prepared, 2 pounds in frictior or screw-top

tins pounds.. 2

Cones, felt, large, blunt, and pointed, of each

number., 2

Dentimeter, Kirk's No. 2 do 1

File, gold:

Flat, 6-inch do 1

Round, 6-inch do 1

Flasks:

Whitney, extra bolts for... do 6

Press for, S. S. W. No. 1 do 1

Gasoline gas generator No. 40 complete (including

blowpipe) .number.. 1

Gauge:

Plate and wire, B. and S do 1

Millimeter. Boley's ___ do 1

Hammer, riveting, "B"__ do I

Investment compound, inlay, 3 pounds in tin.tins. . 3

Knives, plaster, No. 5 _ ..number.. 1

Lamps, alcohol, large, Purdy's do 1

Lathe, hand and foot, cone journal, S. S. W., com-
plete, 5 by 6?4by 13 inches number. _ 1

Metal:

Clasp, Melchoir, or German silver, 3 by 1 inch

gauge, Brown & Sharpe No. 28. pieces.. 6

Wire, Melchoir or German silver, gauge 10,

Brown & Sharpe, 6-inch lengths lengths.. 2

Modeling composition, Perfection (Detroit), %

pound in box boxes.. 6

Molding and fusible metal outfit, Mellotte's or

Crescent type, complete outfit.. 1

Nippers, side-cutting, No. 638 A number.. 1

Pan, copper, acid, No. 1, S. S. W do 1

Plaster, for models, 4 pounds in tin tins.. 6

Plaster of Paris, French, impression, 4 pounds in

screw-top tins tins.. 3

Pliers, contouring:

No. 115, Crescent number.. 1

No. 118, Pecso do I

Pumice stone, powdered 14 pound in tin tins.. 24

Rubber:

Red pounds.. 2

Pink _ _ do H

Sandarac gum, 1 ounce in carton ounce.. 1

Sandpaper, Nos. 00 to 1 of each.. ...sheets.. 36

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

619

Saw frame, mechanical number.. 1

Extra blades for do 24

Shade bar, S. S. W r _do 1

Shears, Nos. 8 and 11, of each _.do 1

Silex, pulverized, 20 pounds in sack (Grit XXX)

_ Sacks.. 1

Soldering block, S. S. W. No. 2, asbestos, with holder

number.. 1

Soldering and heating outfit, gasoline generator, No.
45, complete, less blowpipe stand (issued only to

stations where gas is not available) nurnber__ 1

Spatula:

Plaster, 4-inch do 1

Wax, No. 2, S. S. W. do 1

Teeth, vulcanite, " Diatorie type," upper and lower

sets, standard sizes and shades sets.. 24

Tongs, soldering, 7-inch number-. 1

Trays:

Lower impression, Nos. 1, 3,5, 15, 17,22, of each

number.. 1

Upper impression, Nos. 1,3, 5, 12, 14, 18, of each

...number.. 1

Bridge impression, universal type __do 2

Tubing, rubber, heavy-walled, white, M-inch

feet.. 16

Tweezers, soldering, Nos. 662E, 662 F, 662 P. C. D.,
of each. number. _ 1

Vise:

Bench, jeweller's, 2-inch number.. 1

Pin, double-end... do 1

Vulcanite files, round and half-round.. .do 2

Vulcanite scrapers and finishers, Nos. 3, 7, 8, 26, 27,

of each number.. l

Vulcanizer, Lewis cross-bar:

3 Whitney flasks, gas or gasoline burner, with

flasks inclosed. number.. i

3-tlask—

Extra disks for safety valve, 1 dozen in box

boxes.. 1

Extra packings for number.. 2

Wax:

Pink, base plate, l 2 pound in box boxes.. (\

Inlay, in boxes.-. do 1

Yellow beeswax, in J^-potmd box. do 2

Wheels.

Brush, Nos. 3,5,6, 16, 24, 26, of each. ..number. _ 1

Carborundum, lathe, square edge, 1 and 2
inch diameter T % inch width, Grits C. & E.,

of each.. number.. 2

Felt, square edge No. 3, round edge No. 4,

knife edge No. 2, of each number.. l

Whetstone, carborundum, 5-inch, and hone, oil,
Arkansas stone, combined, in wooden holder with

cover. number.. l

Wire, binding, 32-gauge spools.. 1

Prosthetic Dental Surgical Equipment

Articulator, anatomical, complete number. _ 1

Casque, annex complete, with attachments for re-
constructive surgery of face and jaws__number__ 1
Expansion arch splints (sets of lingual and buccal

appliances). sets.. l

Files, half-round, 6-inch ..number . 1

Flasks, box, complete _. do 1

Flux, "Maxilor," powder, ,' 2-pound tins tins.. 1

Fracture bars number.. 1

Hammer, swaging, l*^ pounds do 1

Jackscrews, orthodontia type, Nos. C, E, and F, of

each number.. 6

Ladle, melting:

No. 5 do 1

No. 6 do 1

Handle for Nos. 5 and 6 do 1

Lead, H-pound ingots ingots.. 12

Mallet, horn... number.. 1

Metal:

"Maxilor," for cast splints pounds.. 2

"Victoria," 2-ounce ingots ingots.. 6

Molding rings (Brophy):

Large number.. 1

Small do 1

Nuts, square, to fit threaded wire of gauges 8 and

10, 3 nuts for each size of threaded wire.. number.. 6
Plate, German silver, Brown & Sharpe gauge No. 30,

size 6 by 6 inches pieces.. 6

Pliers, No. 122 _ number.. 1

Sand, molding tins.. 3

Screws, small, headed, with nuts:

Gauge 10, 1} 2 cm. long.. number __ 6

Gauge 13, 1' 2 cm. long... -do 6

Solder, silver ounces.. 4

splints, jaw; appliances for post dental
fractures (villain)
Connecting rods:

Threaded- number.. 3

Cranks for... _ do 3

Rod, threaded, with head and screw do 3

Splint lock:

Closed bite, threaded tube and wire.. number.. 6

Open bite do 6

Trays, wooden, for molding do 1

Tubing, Melchoir, or German silver, seamless:

Round, gauges, 7, 8, 10, length 6 inches, of each

pieces.. 1

Square, 6 and 8, length 3 inches, of each. .do 1

Wire:

German silver, gauges 12, 16, 18, 4-foot lengths,

of each feet.. 4

Ligature, gauge No. 28 (box 187)... boxes.. 1

Melchoir, or German silver-
To fit tubing and gauges Nos. 7, 8, 10, length

12 inches, of each - pieces.. 1

Square, gauges 8 and 10, to fit the Nos. 6 and
8 gauge square tubing, length 3 inches, of

each.. pieces.. 1

Gauge Nos. 8 and 10, threaded, length 3

inches, of each pieces.. 1

Zinc, H-Pound ingots ...ingots.. 12

Additional Furniture and Equipment

Anvil, cast base. number.. 4

Apron, rubber -do 4

Air compressor unit, automatic, electric:

With tank No. 95 (see note B) ..do 1

Tin tubing, connections, and valves for (see

note B) number.. 1

Baskets, letter do 1

Baskets, waste paper do 1

Bench, combination, No. 17, with bellows. ..do 1

Bookcases, sectional, complete, (W. D. Cat., stan-
dard office supplies and equipment), as follows:

1 2-d rawer vertical cap size section v9092-a).

1 6-file document section, (9148-a).

1 9-drawer legal blank section (9144-a).

1 Storage section without door '9188-a).

1 Top (9380-b-l).

1 Sanitary base (9384-b-2-aa) number.. 1

620

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Brooms:

Corn number..

Whisk do_...

Cabinet, dental, aseptic, pressed steel, No. 510-do

Chairs:

Arm do

Dental, Harvard, Diamond, or Columbia, wood
seat and back (white), as required__number__

Office, revolving do

Rocking do

Cleavers, enamel, Weaver's, metal handles, set of 5

(C. D.) sets..

Clock, for office number ._

Cups, drinking, paper, 100 in box _boxes_.

Holder for, No. l._ number..

Cups, sponge.. do

Cuspidors do

Fountain, No. 6, complete with saliva ejector,
floor connections, and table attachment, white

enamel number. _

Extra bowls for do

Cylinders:

Nitrous oxide, small, rilled do

Oxygen, gas, small, filled _. do

Desk, office do

Engine, dental, white enamel, electric, folding
bracket, all-cord, with part K4, for H. P. No. 7

(see note B) __.num.ber_

Envelope opener do

Fan, electric, 18-inch diameter (see note B)_..do

Forceps:

Crown slitting, No. 653 A, (C. D. M.)._.do

Hemostatic, mosquito. No. 117.1, C. N. D.

Catalogue ___ number^

Tongue, No. 526.1, C. N. D. Catalogue._.do

Heater, electric, No. 3, spray bottles, and water glass,

(see note B) number,.

Cut-off No. 4 for, with 8 feet of tubing for operat-
ing spray bottles (see note B) number..

Jars, large, for dressings do

Lathe, electric, Columbia, including 7 chucks and

bur check (see note B) number..

Looking glass do

Mat, rubber, for dental chair do

Mill, rolling, No. 458 A. C. D do_...

Mirror, hand, bevel, 5-inch do

Mouth props, long, medium, short, improved design,

complete, set of 3 sets._

Nitrous oxide and oxygen outfit, complete, latest

improved design number..

Paperweights- do

Port polisher, contra-angle do

Wood points for, assorted, in box boxes...

Post puller, Little Giant number..

Root facer, safe side, Nos. 7, 8, 9, for No. 7 H. P., ol

each number..

Screen, bed, folding, frames for, white enamel. do

Screw, oral, hard rubber, No. 314, C. N. D. Cat.

number..

Sheets, cotton for screen bed, folding do

Stamp, penalty, rubber, with ink pad do

Sterilizer, electric, No. 1 (see note B) do

Sterilizer, electric, No. 1, fuses for, (see note B)

number..

Stool, revolving, white enamel, for laboratory.do

Switchboard, electric, type IA, P. & C. (see note B)

number.. 4

Extra fuses for (.see note B) do 8

Mouth lamps and heating instruments for, in

case (see note B) cases.. 4

Syringe, electric, P. & C. hot air (see note B)

number.. 4

Tables:

Bedside, white enamel do 4

Pressed steel, white No. 90, Harvard type, table

base to fit chair furnished number.. 4

Trays, aseptic, enamel, steel, 12% by 12^s inch,

Booth number. . 8

Typewriter, standard do 1

Record ribbons for do 2

Water cooler, 6 gallons (see note C) do 1

Stationery

Bands, elastic, assorted sizes gross.. 2

Book, correspondence number., 2

Books, note, manifolding, 4 by 6 inch:

Binders ..do 8

Fillers „ do..._ 16

Envelopes, official, letter ...do 100

Eraser, rubber do 2

Ink, black, powder or tablet, in box boxes.. 2

Inkwell number.. 2

Pads, prescription do 8

Paper:

Blotting pieces.. 8

Carbon, letter, 100 sheets in box boxes.. 2

Writing —

Letter, 100 sheets in pad pads.. 4

Note, 100 sheets in pad do 12

Paste, photo -.. tubes.. 2

Pencils:

Indelible ..number.. 4

Lead do 8

Penholders do 4

Pens, steel do 48

Rulers do 2

Blank Forms

Dental engagement slip, Form 65, 150 in pad. pads.. 2

Dental examination blank, Medical Department (as
prescribed from the office of the Surgeon General)

_. .number.. 500

Invoice of, or receipt for, dental supplies, Form 31,

24 in pad pads.. 1

Register dental patients, card, Form 79, 250 in pad

pads.. 2

Requisition for blank forms, Form 37, 4 in pad

--- - pads.. 1

Requisition for dental supplies, special, Form 35, 24

in pad pads.. 1

Return of medical property:

Front card, Form 17 number.. 4

Original, Form 17-A, 200 in pad... pads., 1

Retained, Form 17-B, 200 in pad do !

Backcard, Form 17-C number.. 4

Report of dental work, Form 57, 12 in pad. ..pads.. 1

Dental Library Unit

Dental Pathology, Therapeutics and Pharmacology
(Burchurd and Inglis) copy.. *

E lementary and Dental Radiography (Raper)
-- - - copy.. l

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 621

Ejodontia (Winter) copy_. 1

Materia Medica (Printz) do 1

Oral Abscess (Thoma) do 1

Oral Anesthesia (Thoma) do 1

Oral Diseases and Malformations (Brown).__do 1

Operative Dentistry (Black) volumes 1 and2_eopy_. 1

Oral Surgery, Blair _._do 1

Practice and Principals of Crown and Bridge Work 1

(Coslee) copy_. 1

(See note D.)

Note A.— Issued in lieu of engine, dental, white enamel, electric, to stations where electric current is not available.

Note B.— Issued only to stations where electricity is available. In requisitioning electric equipment specify kind
of current available (direct or alternately), giving voltage, cycles, phases, etc.

Note 0. — Issued only to stations where running water is not available.

Note D.— Military publications are furnished as part of the base hospital library unit for common use of all officers
of the unit .

Weight and Displacement Data, Packed for Shipment

weight p^r

Pounds Cubic feet

Medicines -J

Instruments and appliances - 900 24

Miscellaneous -- — --- J20 in

Dental Laboratory Equipment - i! r '

Prosthetic Dental Surgical Equipment. - 45 1

Additional Furniture and Equipment- 8,000 550

Stationery --- 25 1

Blank forms : 22 1

Dental library unit --- So 3

80
Total - 9.929

WO

The need of a dental outfit for evacuation hospitals also presented itself,
and a table of equipment of a dental unit for such hospitals was prepared.
This outfit, with a very few modifications, was the standard portable outfit to
which a modified laboratory equipment of the base outfit was added. 10
Evacuation hospital dental units were assembled complete and forwarded
overseas, in such numbers as were required. The articles in this unit were
selected with great care for the emergency work required at such hospitals.
Its contents were similar to those of the equipment for an overseas base
hospital. (See Chap. XXXIII.)

PRODUCTION OF DENTAL INSTRUMENTS

The United States has long been the leader in the world's production of
dental instruments. In this it had a very great advantage over the surgical
industry. The conditions surrounding the dental instrument industry in 1917
were very much more favorable. The manufacturing concerns were well
established and organized for quantity production. The expansion of the
industry was effected without great difficulty. Dental instruments, for the
most part, have been machine made. They have been of such uniform and
satisfactory quality that, as is not the case with surgical instruments, they have
been sold almost to the exclusion of foreign makes. 11

The problem of a supply of dental instruments was never so serious as that
of surgical instruments; nevertheless, the demand for them exceeded the capac-
ity of the old established factories to produce. Several new plants for the
manufacture of dental burs and the smaller instruments for which the demand
was the greatest came into being during the World War. 11 Although shortages
existed many times, they were met in due time. For the most part, deliveries
by the several manufacturers were prompt and fairly in accordance with

622 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

promised schedule. The war contracts, when finally completed or terminated
found the Medical Department with large stocks of every kind of dental instru-
ments and appliances on hand. The war contracts running at the time of the
signing of the armistice were completed or terminated in conformity with the
needs of the Medical Department. The terms of settlement were fair and
satisfactory to the majority of the contractors. The only difficulty experienced
was in adjusting the contracts of the manufacturers but recently embarked on
the production of dental instruments.

PURCHASES

In providing dental equipment for the first million men, instructions
issued by the Surgeon General, May 25, 1917, directed the purchase of 500
sets of portable dental apparatus. 1 - On July 2, 1917, instructions were issued
for the purchase of 400 additional dental outfits. 13 The president of the dental
manufacturers' war emergency association estimated the time for completing
the production of the 500 outfits to be about two months. 14 The order was
placed June 7, and the officer in charge of the medical supply depot at New
York, reported, September 19, 15 that the delivery of the 500 outfits had just
been completed, and the outfits were assembled .at the New York depot as
rapidly as the materials were received. In September, 1917, the number of
outfits assembled per week had reached 75. Of the 900 outfits ordered
purchased, 524 had been assembled and issued before the end of September, 1917.

Instructions were issued by the Surgeon General about the end of August
1917, for the purchase of 1,000 additional portable dental outfits. The progress
on delivery of the articles contained in these outfits was such that the medical
supply officer at New York anticipated that 1,400 outfits would have been
assembled and distributed by the end of 1917. '"'

Additional purchases of portable outfits were made from time to time as
the increase in the number of dental officers made necessary. The last author-
ization to purchase was issued August 14, 1918, and called for 1,000 such outfits. 16
The total number of portable dental outfits, for which orders were placed
during the period April 4, 1917, to November .30, 1918, was 4,030. 1?
On October 4, 1918, there were in active service in the United States Army,
4,135 dental officers, of whom 2,330 were in the United States and 1,805
overseas. 18

BASE OUTFITS

The first purchase of the base dental outfits during the war period was
authorized August 14, 1917. 19 This authorization called for 60 such outfits.
Thirty-two of the outfits were intended for the base hospitals at the various
training camps; the remaining 28 were intended for overseas. The actual
purchases made during the quarter ending September 30, 1917, of dental outfits
were limited to the 60 authorized. When the development of the dental
infirmaries, the purchase of large numbers of dental chairs and electrical dental
engines were made. Each dental infirmary was equipped with 10 chairs and
10 engines. Approximately 400 chairs and engines were required for the
equipment of all the infirmaries authorized to be established. As base hospitals

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 623

began to be sent overseas in increasing numbers in the fall of 1918, base outfits
in large numbers again became necessary. The total purchases of dental
chairs and electrical dental engines during the period April, 1917, to November,
1918, were 1,550 chairs and 1,184 electric dental engines. 17

REPLENISHMENT SUPPLIES

In addition to the articles contained in the portable outfits and the base
outfits authorized to be purchased, authorization was given October 8, 1917,
for the purpose of a miscellaneous lot of dental supplies equivalent to approx-
imately 2,000 portable outfits and 100 base outfits, excepting only the heavier
bulky articles. 20 On February 11, 1918, the Surgeon General furnished a new
schedule for the purchase of dental supplies to the officer in charge of the
medical supply depot at New York. 21 This schedule provided a definite allow-
ance for 1,000,000 men as an initial equipment and, in addition, specified the
quantities to be purchased quarterly. A new schedule was promulgated in
June and augmented in August, 1918. The total quantities of dental supplies
of all kinds purchased during the World War, so far as can be determined from
available records, appear in the appendix (p. 912).

DISTRIBUTION

The earlier plan for distribution of the portable dental outfits within the
United States contemplated placing a definite number of these outfits at each of
the medical supply depots. The Surgeon General's instructions of July 26, 1917,
directed the distribution of these outfits to medical supply depots as follows: 22
Atlanta, 200; Chicago, 110; Philadelphia, 110; St. Louis, 110; San Antonio,
110; San Francisco, 62. From each of these depots the outfits were to be
issued to the troops in the area supplied by them. It was also intended to
stock these depots with miscellaneous dental supplies. The quantities avail-
able, however, did not keep pace with the demand, and it was later decided to
make all distribution of loose dental stock direct from the New York medical
supply depot.

The War Department tables of organizations obtaining in the spring of
1917 allowed 27 dental surgeons per division, and on this basis 27 dental outfits
were issued to each organized division. 23 This allowance was increased in
March, 1918, to provide for 31 dental surgeons, of whom 1 acted as division
dental surgeon. 24 Under this new authorization 30 portable outfits were issued
per division. So far as practicable the outfits issued to and in use by dental
surgeons in each division in the United States were completed in all respects
before the departure of the division for service overseas and taken with them.

The portable outfit for overseas service included all the articles in the
outfit considered actually necessary and which had formerly been supplied from
hospital stock at the stations where dental surgeons served. The original
outfit consisted of six packages: Dental engine in chest, dental chair in chest,
field desk, two instrument chests, and a supply chest. For overseas service
five additional packages were added: One containing a portable stand and
table; one a coal-oil stove, single burner; one a box of medicines; another a

624 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

box of miscellaneous supplies; and finally a box of alcohol. These 11 packages
measured 39.28 cubic feet and weighed 775 pounds. 25 Considerable difficulty
was experienced by the Medical Department in securing transportation for
these outfits overseas, which led frequently to the situation where a dental
surgeon arriving overseas was without an outfit for several weeks. To
overcome this, the Surgeon General, on the initiative of the chief surgeon,
A.E.F., instituted a movement in June, 1918, to have the outfits transported
overseas as personal baggage. 26

SHIPMENTS TO FRANCE

The plans for dental equipment for the overseas forces contemplated that
only portable outfits would be sent. The standard dental chairs, cabinets,
benches, and switchboards were bulky and there was insufficient cargo space.
The electric dental engines were excluded on account of lack of definite
information of the electric current available. Such information as had been
received indicated that the current supply differed in practically every city in
France, and the voltages and cycles, if alternating, varied greatly from those in
use in the United States. The type of current, voltage, and, if alternating,
the cycle, on which the equipment is to operate must be known before any
electric equipment can be purchased. The universal motor that would operate
on any ordinary current had not then come into general use, although a few
were being made. The base dental outfit could not well be sent to France.
The portable outfit, on the other hand, could be used anywhere, provided the
necessary shelter, light, and heat were provided.

The plan of distribution of portable dental outfits followed very much the
peace-time arrangement of issuing an outfit to every dental surgeon unless
he were assigned to a hospital having other dental equipment. The plan
was, during 1917, to issue a portable outfit to every dental surgeon under
orders for overseas duty. The New York depot was instructed to issue
outfits to such dental surgeons as they passed through that port en route
to France. The surgeon of the port was also informed of this plan and
cooperated in securing the equipment. 27 The dental surgeons themselves were
instructed to report in person at the New York depot en route and obtain
their outfit. Any dental surgeon en route to France who did not have an
outfit could obtain one by calling at the depot and showing his orders. It
was the continuing endeavor of the Surgeon General's Office and the New
York medical supply depot to equip every dental surgeon before he left the
United States. Without his equipment on arrival at the port of debarkation,
his time would be wasted. The outfit was loaded on the same ship with
the dental surgeon whenever that was practicable.

It was reported that some dental officers passing through the port either
did not report at all or their stay was too short to enable them to secure
an outfit. To meet this condition portable outfits were sent to the medical
supply depot in France from time to time as the need indicated. Instructions
were issued August 22, 1917, for the shipment of 20 portable outfits to that
depot. 28 Instructions of October 15, 1917, directed the shipment of 30 more
such outfits, complete as listed in the supply table, omitting four medicines

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 625

not considered necessary. 29 These shipments continued to be made. The
medical supply officer, New York, reported September 13, 1918, that there
had been shipped to France during the period June 1 to August 31, 1918,
391 complete portable outfits. 30

A few base dental outfits were sent to France in the fall of 1917, but
shipments of such outfits were discontinued.

The officer in charge of the base medical supply depot in France forwarded
a requisition for dental supplies under date of August 4, 1917. This requisition
called for a miscellaneous assortment of articles on the dental supply table.
It reached the Surgeon General August 23, 1917. 31 Eight days later a cable-
gram was received from the commanding general, A. E. F., that the dental
supplies requested on that requisition were urgently needed. 32 On September
10 the the medical supply officer at New York reported the shipment that day
of 83 packages of dental supplies, weighing 6,935 pounds. 33 All articles on the
requisition were included in the shipment. Loose dental stock continued to be
sent to France until the armistice was signed. Beginning with October, ship-
ments went forward, in so far as available stocks would permit, in accordance
with a monthly automatic replenishment list. This list represented the
estimated requirements for one month. The articles included in this list were
limited to the expendable articles on the supply table. As many times the
quantities on the automatic replenishment list were sent each month as there
were times 26,000 troops in France. The nonexpendable articles on the
supply table were to be sent as initial equipment and upon requisition.

The automatic supply table received from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., in
May, 1918, called for quantities materially greater than those on the table
previously used. It had been difficult to secure the quantities on the former
automatic replenishment list and it became doubly so with those on the new
list. Production was unable to keep pace with the demands in spite of expan-
sion of existing facilities and the development of new sources of supply.
Because shipments overseas had fallen so far short of the quantities directed
to be shipped, the Surgeon General, on October 26, 1918, directed the officer in
charge of the medical supply depot in New York to suspend all domestic
shipments of dental supplies that would in any way interfere with shipments
of such supplies to the American Expeditionary Forces, until the automatic
replacements for France, up to and including the September replacement, had
been docked. 34

Although the shipments never caught up with the automatic supply table
received in May, 1918, huge quantities of all kinds of dental supplies were
forwarded and there is no evidence that a shortage of them existed during
1918. Even during 1917, after the initial shipment reached France, there was
no real difficulty in meeting all legitimate requirements.

REFERENCES

(1) Act of February 2, 1901 (31 Stats. 748).

(2) Act of March 3, 1911 (36 Stats. 1054).

(3) Manual for the Medical Department, TJ. S. Army, 1916, 492-495.

(4) Ibid., 855-856.

30663—28 40

626 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(5) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, May 16, 1917. Subject: Dental supply table. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, 8. G. O., 14039-50.

(6) Letter from the medical supply officer, New York, to the Surgeon General, September

14, 1917. Subject: Suggestions as to relief of congestion of supplies. On file,

7 1 3-539
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - .„„ •

(7) Special Regulations No. 65, W. D., 1917.

(8) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, October 10, 1917. Subject: Supplies for one unit of 10 operating dental sur-

_. . . , „ /^ 531 Misc.
geons. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. O. ()., — ^g

(9) Dental Letter No. 2, Surgeon General's Office, October 16, 1917.

(10) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, June 14, 1918. Subject: Dental equipment. On file, Finance and Supply

_,. . . Q ,, r . 713-539 N. Y . D.

Division, 8. Ci. ()., ^s — —

(11) Letter from G. W. Wallerich, in charge of instrument department, General Purchasing

Office, Medical Department, Washington, D. C., 1918, to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C.,
July 29, 1927, relative to surgical and dental instruments. On file, Finance and

a , r»- • • * n r> 713-539 N. Y.
supply Division, S. O. O., .„,„

(12) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, May 25, 1917. Subject: Supplies for a million men. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 14039-20.

(13) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, July 2, 1917. Subject: Portable dental outfits. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 14039-136.

(14) Letter from Frank H. Taylor, President Dental Manufacturers' War Emergency

Association, Philadelphia, Pa., to Col. H. C.Fisher, S. G. O., June 25, 1917, relative

to dental requirements, Army, Navy, and Red Cross. On file, Finance and Supply

_,. . . „ „ „ 187 P. M. W.E.'a .
Division, S. G. O., — ^

(15) Letter from the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New York, to the Surgeon

General, August 30, 1917, and first indorsement, S. G. O., September 1, 1917.
Subject: Portable dental outfits. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-539
88 '

(16) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, August 14, 1918. Subject: Portable dental outfits. On file, Finance and

„ _. . . „ _ _ 713-539 N. Y.

Supply Division, S. G. O., „ ]n —

(17) Total purchases, April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918, compiled from records on file in

the Surgeon Gereral's Office. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
531 Misc.
P '

(18) Memorandum for Colonel Darnall from Lieut. Col., J. R. Bernhcim, Dental Corps

U. S. Army, October 7, 1918. Subject: Dental officers. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 531 g 1 ^.

(19) First indorsement, Surgeon General, to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, August 14, 1917, concerning base dental outfits. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., 7 ! 3-539 .

(20) First indorsement, Surgeon General, to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

New York, October 8, 1917, approving request of that officer of October 5, 1917, to
purchase dental supplies, quantities listed. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

S.G.O., 713 - 539 .
' 166

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 627

(21) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, February 11, 1918. Subject: Schedule of dental supplies. On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. 0., 713-539N . Y. D

433

(22) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, July 26, 1917. Subject: Portable dental outfits. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 14039-182.

(23) Second indorsement, Surgeon General to the medical supply officer, 5th division, Camp

Logan, Tex., February 4, 1918, relative to dental outfits. On file, Finance and

o i t->- ■ • o /-< r\ 534-127-Logan

Supply Division, S. G. O., =- — s

(24) Letter from The Adjutant General to the Surgeon General, March 26, 1918. Subject:

Dental personnel attached to divisions. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
a r- r. 750-14 A. G.
• SG °-' ~124

(25) First indorsement, Medical Supply Depot, New York, to the Surgeon General, February

2, 1918. Subject: Dental equipment. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

a r, n 713-539
S. G. O., 40g .

(26) Par. 5, Cable No. 1316, H. A. E. F., June 16, 1918 and First Indorsement, Surgeon

General's Office to Embarkation Service (attention Mr. Jordan). On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., 250 France.

4iJ 1

(27) Letter from the Surgeon General to the surgeon, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken, N. J.,

August 23, 1917. Also: First Indorsement, surgeon, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken,

N. J., to the Surgeon General, September 12, 1917, relative to issue of portable

583—340
dental outfits. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — 7? ■

(28) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, August 22, 1917. Subject: Issue of portable dental outfits to France. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 713 ~f 39 .

53

(29) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

Y'ork, October 15, 1917. Subject: Dental outfits to France. On file, Finance and

a i tv • • a ^ ^ 713-250
Supply Division, S. G. O.,

(30) First Indorsement, Medical Supply Depot, New York, to the Surgeon General, Sep-

tember 13, 1918, relative to Dental equipment. On file, Finance and Supply Divi-

„ „ „ 713-539 N. Y.
sion, S. G. O., qio~ —

(31) Requisition for dental supplies, A. E. F., August 4, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply

tv • ■ c. o /••. 713-250

Division, S. G. O., —,

4

(32) Par. 5, Cable No. 134, H. A. E. F., Paris, August 31, 1917.

(33) Letter from the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New York, to the Surgeon

General, September 10, 1917. Subject: Dental supplies to France. On file,

<-j -I o cy ca

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., j

(34) Letter from the Acting Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply

Depot, New Y'ork, October 26, 1918. Subject: Replacements. Copy on file.
Historical Division, S. G. O.

CHAPTER XXXIX
VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

By the act of June 3, 1916, the Veterinary Corps was created, and by the
terms of the act made a part of the Medical Department. 1 Thereafter the
storage and issue of veterinary supplies which previously had been a function
of the Quartermaster Department, devolved upon the Medical Department.
The act making the appropriations for the Military Establishment for the
fiscal year 1917 had already been passed when the act of June 3, 1916, became
a law. Such funds as had been appropriated for the procurement of veterinary
supplies were necessarily granted to the Quartermaster instead of to the Medical
Department. Following that legislation, the Surgeon General requested
authority to include provisions in the Medical and Hospital Department
estimates for the fiscal year 1918 for the purchase of veterinary supplies. 2 The
request was approved by the Secrerary of War September 8, 1916. The
estimates were submitted by the Surgeon General September 13, 1916, accom-
panied by a proposed amendment to incorporate in the act under the title
"Medical and Hospital Department" the phrase "for the purchase of veterinary
supplies." It had been the custom of the Quartermaster General to base his
estimates for veterinary supplies at $1 per head within the United States; at
$1.20 per head in the insular possessions for all animals for which treatment
at public expense was authorized. The estimates for the Medical Department
for the fiscal year 1918 followed this custom and included therein the item,
"Veterinary medicines and supplies, at one dollar per animal, a function to be
newly devolved upon the Medical Department beginning July 1, 1917, if these
estimates are confirmed, approximately 70,000 animals * * * $70,000."'

The Surgeon General submitted to the House Military Committee, at a
hearing January 9, 1917, the following reasons for the introduction of the new
language and the estimates: 3

The appropriations for the Quartermaster Corps (incidental expenses) have heretofore
provided for the purchase of medicines for horses and mules. A large proportion of these
medicines are identical with medicines habitually carried in stock in the depots of the
Medical Department. Those not so carried are similar to the medicines purchased by the
-Medical Department and subject to similar tests. On the supposition that the Medical
Department could better procure and test the veterinary medicines required in the Army, an
arrangement was sanctioned by the Secretary of War a few years ago by which such supplies
thereof as were in the Medical Department stock should be issued on quartermaster requisi-
tions (the appropriations concerned being subsequently adjusted by proper action), and
those not so in stock should, when that course was convenient, be purchased by Medical
Department agencies on quartermaster account. This procedure, while it has been attended
with satisfactory results as to prices and qualities, has involved considerable accounting
routine which could profitably be avoided. So long as the veterinary service of the Army
was either regimental or quartermaster there was some reason for leaving the procurement

629

630 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

of veterinary supplies technically in the hands of the Quartermaster Corps. Now, however,
that the Veterinary Corps, established by the national defense act of June 3, 1916, has been
made a part of the Medical Department it is the view of the War Department upon full
consideration that it will promote military efficiency to transfer to the Medical Depart-
ment the duty of procuring veterinary supplies, so as to concentrate control of the veter-
inary service, as well as responsibility for it, under the Surgeon General. Accordingly
the current estimates for the Quartermaster Corps have, it is understood, omitted the
provision heretofore appearing for the purchase of medicines for horses and mules, and in
lieu thereof a new provision is submitted in the medical and hospital estimates "for the
purchase of veterinary supplies."

General Orders, No. 115, War Department, August 28, 1911, promulgating the veteri-
nary supply table for the Army, fixed the money allowance at $1 a year for each animal
within the continental limits of the United States and $1.20 a year for each animal in
tropical climates outside the United States. At the present juncture there arc forty-odd
thousand animals pertaining to the Regular Army and in the neighborhood of 50,000 with
the National Guard. It is presumed that 70,000 at least will be on hand under Federal care
during the fiscal year 1918, for which veterinary supplies will have to be provided. Such
provision, at the moderate rate of $1 a year for each animal, constitutes item 3 above.

The phraseology of the appropriation under the title " Medical and Hos-
pital Department," in the act of May 12, 1917, included as a new item the
words: "For the purchase of veterinary supplies and hire of veterinary surgeons."

While the regular estimates, Medical and Hospital Department, for the
fiscal year 1918 were pending before Congress the Surgeon General, under
instructions from the Secretary of War, submitted, on March 31, 1917, a
supplemental or deficiency estimate for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1917, in
the total sum of $24,780,000. The early declaration of war was then in prospect
and that sum was required not merely for the fiscal year 1917, but also for the
fiscal year 1918, to be, however, " immediately available." It included an item,
"veterinary supplies, 1918, at $1 per animal * * * $610,178."

The item $616,178 for veterinary supplies, animal strength of 616,178 was
distributed as follows: Regular Army in service, 95,502; Regular Army for 4
increments, 38,820; for National Guard, 202,462; for Volunteers, 279,394. In
succeeding estimates the sums included for veterinary supplies were based upon
the computed cost of the quantities of supplies required instead of at a fixed
rate per animal.

The urgent deficiency appropriation, making available for immediate use
funds for the procurement of veterinary supplies by the Medical Department,
was not approved until June 15, 1917. 4 It accordingly became necessary to
make some arrangement for supplies to cover the interval between that date
and the time that the supplies could actually be delivered. It was known to
the Surgeon General that a considerable quantity of veterinary supplies was on
hand at different quartermaster supply depots and that extensive procurement
of such supplies for the Quartermaster Corps was in progress at the medical
supply depot at St. Louis, Mo. Since these supplies would serve a useful
purpose in bridging the interval, efforts immediately were made by the Surgeon
General to gain control of them. Instructions were issued later for the transfer
of supplies at the El Paso and San Antonio depots to the medical supply depot
at San Antonio, and those at Atlanta to the medical supply depot in that city.
On August 22, 1917, these instructions were confirmed by an order from the
War Department, as follows: 5

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 631

I. All veterinary instruments, books, medicines, and supplies for the treatment of
public animals and authorized private horses of mounted officers at posts, stations, or depots
will be transferred as soon as practicable by the Quartermaster Corps to the Medical
Department, and will be taken up and accounted for on the returns of the latter department,
as medical property. At depots or other places where there is no officer of the Medical
Department on duty, request will be made to The Adjutant General of the Army to
designate an officer to receive and receipt for such report.

It was feared that even this measure would be inadequate to provide a
sufficient quantity of veterinary equipment to meet the immediate needs of
the camps until deliveries on orders had been received. This related particu-
larly to articles of surgical equipment. It was anticipated that many of the
veterinary surgeons called into service would have articles of equipment winch
could be utilized in the military service and might be willing to part with them
for a consideration. In order that such articles of equipment might be secured,
the following instructions were issued by the Surgeon General, May 5, 1917, to
newly appointed veterinary officers: 6

The commercial sources of supply for veterinary apparatus are, it is learned, near
exhaustion, and for some months to come it will be quite impossible to procure therefrom
the veterinary outfits that will be needed by veterinary officers coming into the military
service.

In view of this situation the Secretary of War has authorized the Medical Department
to invite veterinarv officers who are newly entering the military service during the present
emergency to bring with them such parts of their own private outfits, in good condition, as
are designated on the annexed list, with the understanding that the Medical Department
will purchase them subject to a reasonable discount from original cost for depreciation due

to previous use.

A veterinarv officer complying with this invitation will be expected to assume the cost
of transporting the articles from his home to the point where he reports for duty, and the
cost of transporting back again the articles which are not accepted by the Medical Depart-
ment as indicated below.

Upon reporting for duty the commanding officer of the organization to which the vet-
erinarian is assigned will appoint a board of officers to inspect the apparatus which the
veterinarian has brought with him, to determine its condition and suitability for military
service, and to appraise the value of the portion found to be in good condition and suitable
(considering as an element of present value the original cost thereof, the usual period of
durability, the period during which it has been used, and the cost of transporting or deliver-
ing it at the station of duty). Upon report of these findings, voucher for the purchase of
acceptable apparatus will in due season be executed and payment made therefor, whereupon
title to them will pass to the United States.

Additional equipments not so provided must be procured on requisition through the
regular channels of Medical Department supply. A veterinary officer newly reporting for
military service should make it his first duty to learn what additional veterinary equipments
and supplies will be needed in his work, and should forward timely requisition therefor
through the surgeon of the organization or command to which he is assigned. To that end
he should acquaint himself particularly with the general regulations governing requisitions
in the Medical Department, paragraphs 476 to 490 of the Manual therefor, of which the
surgeon should have a copy.

In cases of great emergency, when absolutely necessary medicines are not on hand and
time does not permit of awaiting their supply on requisition, the veterinary officer may
request the surgeon of the command to purchase locally under the provisions of paragraph
476.

632

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

LIST OF ARTICLES DESIRED

Pocket or operating case, including

trocar and ranula 1

Hypodermic syringe with extra needles- 1

Hoof case, 3 knives 1

Hypodermic tablet case, equipped 1

Set casting harness, preferably web

construction 1

Hoof tester 1

Mouth speculum. 1

Set of dental floats with extra blades. 1

The records of the Surgeon General's Office fail to show that any consider-
able number of instruments were secured in this manner. However, utilizing
the old types of instruments and cases received from the several depot
quartermasters, no material inconvenience resulted.

DEVELOPMENT OF A VETERINARY SUPPLY TABLE

When war had been declared, a list of articles with probable quantities
to be purchased became at once necessary. Such a list was compiled by
the supply division with the advice and assistance of an experienced veterinary
officer. This list, except for instruments and appliances, was submitted to
the chairman of the commission on pharmaceuticals acting in conjunction
with the Council of National Defence, on April 19, 1917. 7 The committee
suggested the quantities which could be supplied without affecting the trade.

Further work on the supply table was resumed in May and a tentative
list compiled. The quantities to be purchased as initial supply were calculated.
Instrument cases were developed and general specifications for them prepared
during the following months. Samples of these cases were ordered and
examined, and changes effected. The final determination of the contents of
these cases was delayed because the samples forwarded by express had gone
astray and could not be located. Following this, a list of articles and quantities
to be issued as initial supply to the training camps was compiled.

A formal supply table showing articles and quantities allowed was prepared
and distributed in the fall of 1917. It was published officially in Changes
No. 4, Manual for the Medical Department, 1918. This table, in turn, was
subjected to intensive study, and was revised in February, 1918. The system
observed by the veterinary service of the British Army received consideration
and was largely followed in the new supply table. The veterinary supply table,
as finally revised, appears below. In it the unit system of the Medical
Department as provided for other units was applied to the Veterinary Corps.

Veterinary supply table, 1918

FORMULA OF NONOFFICIAL COMPOUND MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS, LISTED IN THE SUPPLY TABLES

Adrenalin et cocaina comp. hypodermic tablets:

Adrenalin chlorid . gins..

Cocaina? hydrochloridtlm do

Acidum boricum do

Pilulaj aloini compositae (equine purgative):

Aloinum ._ ___gms__

Hydrargyri chloridum mite do

Strychnine sulphas do

Oleoresina zingiberis do

Plumbi acetas compositus (compressed tablets):

Plumbi acetas. gms__

Zinei sulphas do

VETEKINARY

Sulphocarbolas compositas tablets:

0.0299

Zinci sulphocarbolas .mgms

650

.1195

650

.0149

Calcii sulphocarbolas ... do

Ilydrargyrichloridum corrosivum tablets (anti-

650

4.250

septic) :

1.000

Ammonii chloridum. mgms

475

.016

Uydrargyrichloridum corrosivum... do

500

.325

One tablet to l A liter of water makes a 1 to
1,000 solution.

3.110

2.074

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

633

List of veterinary supplies

(All furnished by the Medical Department)

(a) Medicines, Antiseptics and Disinfectants

Acid urn boricum, powdered, 1 pound in bottle.

Acidum hydrochloricum, V£ pound in bottle.

Acidum salieylicum, 4 ounces in bottle.

Adrenalin et eocaina, veterinary hypodermic tablets, 15

in tube (par. 902).
.-Ether, l A pound in tin.
Alcohol;

3 pints in tins.

5 gallons in stone jar, tin, or bottle.
Ammonii carbonas, 4 drachms in ball.
Areeolina? hydrobromidum, M-grain veterinary hypoder

mic tablets, 12 in tube.
Argenti nitras fusus, 1 ounce in bottle.
C amphora gum, }•> pound in bottle.
Calx (unslaked lime).
Chloroform i nn, 14 pound in tin.
Chloralum hydratum, 4 drachms in ball.
Cupri sulphas, M pound in tin.
Ferri sulphas exsiccatus, 2 pounds in bottle.
Glycerinum, 3 pints in tin.
Hydrargyri chloridum corrosivum tablets, 250 in bottle

(par. 902).
Hydrargyri chloridum mite, 30-grain C. T., 100 in bottle
Hydrargyri iodidum rubrum, 1 pound in bottle.
Iodum ampoules each containing iodine, 1 gm.; potassii

iodidum \ l /2 gms.

fodoformum, % pound in bottle.
Liquor cresolis compositus:

ounces in bottle.

1 pound in tin.
10 gallons in tin.

Magnesii sulphas, 100 pounds in keg.

Mullein.

Oleum Iini, 10 gallons in tin.

Petrolatum:

12 ounces in tin.
3 ounces in tin.
Pnenol, \>i pound in bottle.
Piluke aloini composita? (equine purgative), 12 capsules

in package (par. 902) .
Plumbi acctas composite, C. T., 50 in bottle (par. 902).
Potassii nitras, 00-grain C. T., 100 in bottle.
Sapo mollis, 1 pound in jar.

Spiritus ammonife aromaticus, 1 pound in bottle.
Strychnime sulphas, K-grain veterinary hypodermic

tablets, 12 in tube.
Sulphur.

Tablets, hypodermic, see subparagraph (d) "Cases."
Tar pine, 1 pound in tin.
Vaccine, anthrax (double vaccination).
Vaccine prophylactic, strangles.
Zinci oxidum, M pound in bottle.

(o) Instruments

Bistouries:

Probe pointed —
Curved.
Straight.
Sharp pointed, curved.
Cases:

Dental," in roll (par. 969).
Hoof" (par. 972).

Post-mortem," veterinary (par. 975).
Rectal pump" (par. 976).
Thermo-cautery," ether (par. 977).
Catheters, horse, rubber.
Curettes:
7H-ineh.

Quittor, sharp, open bowl.
Directors, grooved, 6-inch.
Files, straight, 10-inch.
Floats, lock :

Straight joint.
Angular.

Extra blades for—
File.
Rasp.
Forceps:

Dissecting.
Dressing.

Plain, straight, heavy.
Double curved, 10-inch.
Hemostatic.
Hopkins.
Ronguer, Luer's, curved.
Tissue.
Wood, splinter.

Gouges, bone, curved.
Hoof buffers.
Hoof gouges.
Hoof hammers.
Hoof knives:

Right.

Left

Double edge.

Hoof parers.

Hoof pincers.

Hoof rasps, 14-inch.
Hoof sage knives:

Right.

Left.
Hoof tester:

Largo.

Small.
Mallet, rawhide
Mirror, head.

Band for, fiber.
Molar cutters, improved:

Open.

Half open.

Closed.
Molar extractors, improved:

Upper.

Lower.
Molar separators, closed

Molar cutters, extractors, separators, handles for.
Needles:

Seton.

Surgical, in paraffin envelopes, 6 in package.

Suture, Bayer's.

° Will be issued until present supply is exhausted, and a more suitable type adopted.

634

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Probes, flexible:
10-inch.

4-inch.
Punches, dental, curved.
Razors:

Hones for.
Strops for.
Rectractors, Parker's nested.
Scalpels:
.Small.
Medium.
Large.
Scissors:

Dressings, fi'-i inches.
Operating-
Two points blunt.
One point sharp, one blunt.
Shears, fetlock.
Speculums, mouth, hospital.
Sutures:

Silk, braided, sizes 13, 14, 15, in spools.
Linen, merzon, in skeins.

Type, sterilized, IS inches each, 2 pieces in package.
Syringes:

Hypodermic—

10 c.c. in canvas case.*
Extra needles for.
Extra wires for.
30 c.c. in case.

Extra needles for.
Extra wires for.
Luer's, glass, x /i c.c.
Extra needles for.
Extra wires for.
Metal, dose, 2-ounce, extra heavy, complete.
Extra pipes for, two sizes.
Thermometers, clinical, verterinary, in case.
Trephines, Nye's %-incb head

Extra heads for, 1-inch.
Trocars and canulas.
Tubes, trachea.
BoveUe's.

(r) Stationery

Hands, elastic, of the following sizes: Thread bands, \-%
inch, 2'2-ineh and 3-inch; heavy bands, y± by 2' 2 inches
and X A by 3 inches.
Baskets:
Letter.
Waste paper.
Blotters, hand
Books:

Blank-
Crown (cap) 250 pages
8 vo 150 pages
Note, manifolding, 4 by 6 inches-
Binders.
Fillers.
Caps, sponge.
Envelope openers.
Envelopes, official:
Large.
Letter.
Note.
Erasers:

Rubber-
Pencil.
Typewriter.
Steel.
b Until present stock is exhausted, syringe, hypodermic,

Files, Shannon (for clinical histories).
Ink:

Black, powder or tablets (sufficient in box for 1 quart

of fluid).
Red, 2 ounces in bottle.
Inkstands.
Labels:

For dispensing set.
For vials.
Poison, assorted.
Pads, desk.
Pads:

Ink, for stamps.
Prescription.
Paper:

Blotting—
For desks.

Small pieces for hand blotters
Carbon-
Cap, 100 sheets in box.
Letter, 100 sheets in box.
Fasteners.
Manifolding—

Cap, 250 sheets in package.
Letter, 500 sheets in packaee.
Typewriter-
Cap, 250 sheets in package
Letter, 500 sheets in package
Weights.
Writing-
Letter.
Note.

100 sheets in pad.
Paste, photo and library.
Pencils:
Lead.
Indelible.
Penholders.
Ponracks.
Pens, steel.
Rulers.
Stamps:

Penalty, rubber.
Rubber.
Tape, office, red.

((f) Miscellaneous

Ambulances, motor.
Bandages:

White canton flannel, 5 yards by 3Mnches.

Muslin, roller, compressed, 5 yards by 3 inches.
Basins, granite:

1-quart.

2-quart.

4-quart.
Blankets, horse.
Boilers, instrument.
Bottles, mixing, 4-ounce. wide-mouth, with rubber corks

to fit.
Boxes, pack-mule, empty.
Brooms, corn.
Brushes:

Hand, fiber.

Scrubbing.
Buckets, galvanized iron.
Candles.
5 c.c. will be issued.

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

635

Cases, hypodermic tablets, 9 vials filled and 2 empty as
follows: "
3 arccoline, }4 grain.

1 glonoin, -i\ grain.

5 strychnine, % grain.

2 vials, 2 drains, empty.
2 rubber stoppers to fit.

Chairs, folding.

Chests, tool, No. 2, par. 938.

Clippers:

Horse, hand.
Blades for.

Machine, No 1, inclosed type.
Extra blades for.
Extra heads for.
Cotton, absorbent:

Sterilized, in 1-ounce package.

1 pound in rolls.
Cutters, wire, small.
Desks:

Field, No. 2 (par. 941)

Office.
Disinfectors:

Cog, gear, double-acting, spray pump, 50-gallon,
mounted on skids.

Hand, spray.

Thresh.
Emery wheels, for sharpening clipper blades.
Files, 3-sided, for sharpening clipper blades.
Funnels, enamel ware:

4-inch.

6-inch.
Gauze:

Plain bleached, 50 yards in bolt.

Sublimated, 2 half-yard lengths in package.
Gloves, rubber, sizes SJ-£ and 9.
Gowns, operating.
Graduates, enameled, 500 c. c.
Grindstones, kitchen, complete.
Guns, balling.
Hones.

Hoods, operating.
Hobbles, English, complete.
Hose, rubber, 50-foot lengths.

Metal connections for.
Irrigators, 4-tjuart, enameled, seamless, complete
Knives, butcher, wooden handle.
Lamps:

Brazing.

Spirit, glass.
Lanterns:

Candle, folding.

Candles for.

Complete.

Extra globes for.

Extra wicks for.

Matches, safety, 12 boxes in package.

Measures, grain, metal, 3 quarts.

Medicine droppers.

Mortars and pestles, Wedgewood, 20 cm.

Muslin unbleached.

Nozzles, hose.

Oakum, surgical.

Paper:

Toilet.

Wrapping, brown.
Pill tiles, 6 by fl inches tmetal).
Pins, safety.
Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 5 yards by 2' j inches, in

spools.
Plaster, of Paris, 4 pounds in tin.
Powder dusters, hard rubber.
Saddles, pack (par 953).
Saline apparatus.
Saws, bone, butcher's, heavy.
Scales and weights, Troemcr's.
Soap:

Common.

Ivory.
Spatulas:

4 inches.

6 inches.
Steels.
Sterilizers.
Stocks, metal.
Stoves, coal oil, blue flame, one burner.

Wicks for.
Tables, equine, operating.

Tags, linen, shipping 5H by 2} i inches, wired, 100 in box.
Test tubes, 3 in nest, in tin container.
Towels, hand.
Trays:

Instrument, white enameled, seamless, nested in sets
of 4, largest approximately ll&byTH by 2)4 inches,
rest smaller to nest.

Metal, white enamel, 8 3 £ by 5H by 2 inches.
Tube containers. 9}4 by H inches.
Tubing:

Rubber H'-inch.

Heavy-wall, maroon, % inch outside diameter, l s inch
wall.
Twine in balls, coarse.
Typewriters.

Record ribbons for.
Vials, 2-ounce, in tin case (for iodine), empty, with rubber

stopper.
Veterinary hospital chests (pars. 978 to 985).
Veterinary officer's field chests (par. 987).
Veterinary field unit chests (par. 986).
Wallets:

Farriers (par. 970).

Veterinary officers (par. 974).

Ambulances, 2-mulc, with harness complete.
Anvils, 1 hundredweight.

Blocks for.
Aprons:

Horseshoer, leather.

Linen, butcher type.
Axes :

With helves.

Fire, with helves.

Pick, with helves.

Articles furnished by the Quartermaster Corps
Barrows, wheel.
Brooms, stable.
Brushes:

Dandy.

Horse.

Whitewash, with handles.
Buckets, fire.
Canvas, 27 inches wide.
Carts, feed, 2-wheeled.
Coal oil, 5 gallons in tin.

' Until present stock is exhausted, the following will be issued: 1 apomorphine hydrochhr., A grain; 3 arecoline,
1 grain: 2 cocaine hydrochlor., 2 grains; 1 glonoin, A grain; 5 strychnine sulph. H grain.

636

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Crowbars, b\i or 6 feet.
Diggers, post hole.
Flags, distinguishing:

Veterinary hospital.

Mobile veterinary section.
Forges, field.
Forks:

Long-handled, 4 tine.

Hay and manure, stable.
Gasoline.

Grease, lubricating.
Halters.

Halter shanks (see Rope, cotton, M inch).
Harness menders (Q. M. M. appendix Xo. 11-32).
Harness, sets, complete (lead; wheel).
Horses, riding.
Mauls, sledge hammer.
Mules:

Draft.

Pack.
Nails:

lOd

20d

Horseshoe, Nos. 4 and 5.

Oil lubricating, motor.

Paulins, 20 by 30 feet.

Picket-line 3-inch hawsers, tarred, 100 feet in length.

Pins, metal, picket line, 2 feet inches by 2 inches.

Hakes, steel.

Ranges, field, complete.

Rivets, and burs, assorted.

Rope:

Cotton-
s-inch.
3 -4-meh.

Lash, cotton, J^-inch.
Sets, sadder's tools (Q.M. M. Appendix. No. 14-31 ).
Shoes:

Horse, Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5.

Mule, Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Shovels:

Long- hand led

Scoop
Snaps, halter.
Trucks, motor, V-> tons.
Wagons, escort, with harness, complete.

Bags, nose.

Blacksmith's kit, complete.

Buckets, canvas, watering.

Articles furnished by the Ordnance Department

Combs, curry.

Equipments, horse, complete.

Pistols.

Case, dental, veterinary

Bone drill, set of three set..

Chisel, bone, size 6 mm _- number..

Curette. do

Dental floats:
Lock-
Angular do

Straight joint do

Universal file blades for, to fit standard floats

number..

Universal rasp blades for, to fit standard floats

number. .

Dental pick do

Dental punch, curved do

V.x tract or, root or splinter do

File and rasp, 12-inch do

Forceps, wolf-tooth, 9-inch tubes..

Gouge, bone, size 6 mm do

Handles, universal, forged steel, with wood grips
to fit standard cutters and extractor pairs..

Mallet, lead 130.. - number..

Molar cutter:

Open do

Half open do

Closed -.do

Molar extractor, improved:

Upper do

Lower do

Speculum, mouth (without levers)__ ...do

Trephine, Nye's, U-inch head do

Extra heads for do

Supplied to all posts, remount depots, auxiliary remount depots, and veterinary hospitals.

Wallet, Farrier's
(Leather)

IS COVER, INSIDE

Chloralum hydratum, 6 balls in paraffined paper
tube .- tubes. _ 1

in pouch

Alcohol, 1 pint, in tin tins__ 1

Bandages, muslin, roller, compressed, 5 yards by 3

inches. number.. 10

Cotton, absorbent, compressed, 1 ounce, in package

_ packages.. 5

Hydrargyri chloridum corrosivum tablets, 25 in

hard-rubber tube tubes.. 1

lodum-potassii-iodidum, 10 ampules, in carton

cartons..

Sutures, assorted, and 3 needles, surgical, in box
boxes__

Forceps, dissecting number_

Hoof knife do...

Scalpel __ do__-

Scissors, dressing ...do

Thermometers, clinical, veterinary, in case ..do...

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

637

Case, general operating, veterinary
(In canvas case)

Bistoury, curved:

Probe pointed, 2-inch___ number.

Sharp pointed, 2-inch do...

Ecraseur, automatic, Quick release do

Emasculator, Doctor White do

Forceps—

Bone-cutting, Liston, 9-inch do

Dressing, and bullet, 10-inch do

Hemostatic:

Jones's, 5,V£-inch do

Pean's, straight, 10-inch ...do

Mouse- tooth, 5H-inch do

Needle, Mathieu, "M-inch do

Thumb, 5-inch do

Grooved director, nickel-plated 532-inch do

Head mirror:

3H-inch, with VJ-inch opening do

Headband for do

Needles:

Seton, jointed, 10-inch, with sharp point and eye

number..

Surgical-
Assorted dozen..

Metal case for number..

Nose twitch, humane do

Neurotomy hooks do

Probe, flexible, jointed, 10-inch.. do

Retractors:

Packers, double end, nested number.

Fritch do...

Scalpels, 3 sizes, 2-inch, l^-inch, l^-inch 4o —

Scissors:

Lacroix, fistula, 10-inch do...

Straight, 5M-inch, 1 point sharp, 1 blunt. do

Scoop, fistula, 0-inch do...

Speculum:

Eye, large do...

Nasal, fenestrated do...

Sutures, silk, heavy twisted cards.

Syringe:

Antitoxin —

Metal, slip joint—

Jj-ounce number.

1-ounce do —

Needles for do —

Case for needles do...

Hypodermic —

5 c.c, Quitman do...

5 c.c, Quitman needles for do.. _

Quitman, case for extra needles do —

Tenaculum do —

Tenotomes do —

Tracheotomy tube, 2 sizes do...

Trephine, Gait, 1-inch, with metal handle ...do —
Trocar, Fash, reversible do

Cases, forceps, hemostatic
(In canvas roll)

Forceps:
Straight

Halstead, mosquito,

screw lock

number.. 1

Curved, Pean's, 83^-ineb, screw lock do 1

Straight—

Kelly-Hopkins, fi-inch, screw lock do 4

Forceps— Continued.
Straight— Continued.

Kochcr's 5'A inch, screw lock number. .

Curved, Kelly-Pean, 6!4-inch, screw lock-do

Straight, Halstead Army, 5M-inch, screw lock
number..

Case, hoof
(In canvas rolH

Curette, "H-meh number.. 1

Groover, hoof, Hughes pattern:

Oval do 1

Pointed do 1

Hoof gouge do 1

Hoof knife file, rat-tail shape, 4-inch do 1

noof knife hone, 5-inch carborundum, fine. number.
Knife, horseshoer's:

Left, small size, metal handle do....

Right, small size, metal handle do —

Scalpel, with 2-inch blade do —

Tester, hoof, standard pattern, small size do —

Case, hypodermic syringe, veterinary
(In canvas case)

Syringe, hypodermic, 5 c. c, Quitman, hollow plunger ...number..

Needles for — do....

Wallet, veterinary officer's
(Leather)

Contents of pocket case— Continued.

Knife, folding, with 1 probe-pointed bistoury

and 1 scalpel- - number..

Knife, folding with 1 sharp-pointed bistoury

and 1 scalpel number..

Needles surgical, in paraffin envelope, 6 in

package package..

Probe, 10-inch number-
Scissors, dressing do

Sutures, silk, braided, No. 14, on spool. ..spool..

Syringe, hypodermic, 10 c. c., with extra tube of

needles number..

Book, note, manifolding:

Binder __ number..

Filler do

Case:

Hypodermic tablets, veterinary do

Pocket, surgical do

Contents of pocket case:

Caustic holder do

Curette do

Forceps, hemostatic do

Hopkins type do

Hoof gouge do

1

1

24

1

1
12
1
1

638

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Case, post-mortem, veterinary

(In canvas roll)

Chisels, steel, 8-ineh number..

Cleavers, butchers' heavy do

Forceps, dressing, straight, 10-inch, with catch

_ number. _

Knives, butcher's, wood handle do

Mallet, rawhide, heavy wood handle number-
Saw, bone, butcher's heavy do

Scalpels, heavy, 2-inch blade do

Scissors, large, straight, blunt, 6Ji-inch do

Steel do

Case, rectal pump

(In fiber telescope case)

Nozzle, rectal pump, polished wood number.

Pump, rectal, double action __ jo

Tubing, heavy wall, maroon, ?- 8 -inch outside diameter, K-inch wall feet.

Case, thermo-cautery, ether

(In wooden case)

Thermo-cautery:
Ether

.number.

Lamp for . __ a0

Tips for Ao ~

Wrench for a0

Contents of veterinary chests

Veterinary Hospital Chest No. 1
(All contents supplied by the Medical Department)
Bistoury:

Probe-pointed—

Curved number..

Straight do

Sharp pointed curved do

Boiler, instrument, lli-inch do

Bottles, mixing, 4-ounce, wide-mouth, with rubber

corks to fit number..

Brushes, hand, fiber do

Candles do

Case, hoof (par. 972) do

Cases:

Hypodermic tablets, 9 vials filled, 2 empty

number..

Hypodermic syringe, 10 c.c do

Catheter, horse, rubber, size No. 20 Amer...do

Curette:

Quittor, sharp, open bowl do

7'A inches do

Director, grooved, fi-inch do

Forceps:

Dissecting do

Dressing, double-curved, 10-inch do

Hemostatic do

Hopkins do

Konguer, Lucr's, curved. _ do

Irrigators, 4-quart, enameled, seamless complete

number..

Mirror, head do

Needles:

Seton do

Surgical, in paraffin envelopes, ti in package

_ packages..

Powder duster, hard rubber number..

Probes, flexible:

10-inch _ _. do

4-inch do

Razors __ _. do

Hone for do

Strop for __ do

Saline apparatus number. _

Scalpels:

Small do

Medium do

Large do....

Scissors, dressing, (iV 2 -inch ..do

Shears, fetlock do

Spatula, (i-inch do

Suture:

Silk braided —

No. 13 spools..

No. 14 do

No. 15 do

Linen, merzon, in skeins skeins..

Tape, sterilized, IX inches each, 2 pieces in

package packages..

Test tubes, 3 in nest in tin container container..

Thermometers, clinical, veterinary in case .number..
Trays, instruments, white enameled, seamless,

nested in sets of _ sets..

Trephine, Nye's K-inch head number..

Extra heads for 1-inch do

Trocars and canulas, sets do

Tube, trachea do

Bovette's do

Tubing, rubber, J^-inch __ yards..

Veterinary Hospital Chest No. 2
(All contents supplied by the Medical Department)

Acidum boricum, powdered, 1 pound in bottle
bottle..

Chloroformum, M pound in tin tins.'.

Glycerinum, 3 pints in tin do

Hydrargyri chloridum corrosivum tablets, 250 in
bottle (par. 902) bottles..

Hydrargyri iodidum rubrum, 1 pound in bottle
--- bottle..

Petrolatum, 3 pounds in tin tins..

Phenol, J'2 pound in bottle ..bottles..

Scales and weights, Troemer's number..

Zinci oxidum, \i pound in bottle bottles..

2
1
2
12
4
1

2
2
15
12

24

1

30

1
1
1

2

1

1

20

1

20

3

1
3

16
1

16

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQriPMENT AND SUPPLIES

639

Veterinary Hospital Chest No. 3
(All contents supplied by the Medical Department)

Acidum boricum, powdered, 1 pound in bottle
__ bottles..

Chloralum hydratum, 4 drams in ball, in tube
tubes..

Capri sulphas, 14 pound in tin tins.. I

Hydrargyri ehoridum mite, 30-prain tablets (100 in
bottle) bottles..

Pilula? aloini compositae (equine purgative) 12 cap-
sules in package (par. 902). packages..

Veterinary Hospital Chest No. 4

(All contents supplied by the Medical Department)

.number,
.do...
.do___

.do.
.do.

Basins, granite, 2-quart..

Case, post-mortem, veterinary (par. 975).

Clippers, horse, hand

Floats, lock:

Straight joint

Angular _.

Extra blades tor-
File do

Rasp do

Graduates, enameled, 500 c. c do

Hobbles, English, complete sets..

Soap, Ivory cakes..

Syringes, metal, dose, 2-ounce number..

Pipes for, 2 sizes, of each.. do

Twine in ball, coarse ball.-

Veterinary Hospital Chest No. 5

(All contents supplied by the Medical Department)

Bandages, muslin, roller, compressed, 5 yards by 3

inches number.. :

Cotton, absorbent, 1 pound in roll... pounds..

Veterinary Hospital Chest No. 6

(All contents supplied by the Medical Department)

Books, note, manifolding, 4 by inches:

Binders number..

Fillers do

Cotton, absorbent, 1 pound in roll pounds. .

Envelopes, official, letter number..

Gauze, plain, bleached 50 yards in bolt bolts. .

Pencils, indelible number. .

Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 5 yards by 2.V2 inches,
in spool spools. _

Oakum, surgical, 1 pound in package packages..

Requisition blanks, form No. 35 number..

Veterinary Hospital Chest No. 7
(All contents supplied by the Medica Department)

Molar cutters, improved:* 1

Oi>en - number..

Half open do

Closed ..do

Molar extractors, improved: "

Upper do

Lower do

Molar separator," closed. do

Molar cutters, extractors, separator," handles for
set..

Speculum, mouth number..

Veterinary Hospital Chest No. 8
(All contents supplied by the Medical Department)

Clippers, machine number.. 1

Extra blades for do 12

Extra heads for do 2

Veterinary Field Unit Chest

(All contents supplied by the Medical Department)

Acidum boricum, powdered, 1 pound bottle. bottles.. 1

Alcohol, 3 pints in tin.. tins.. 1

Ammonium earbonas, 4 drains, in ball, «» in tin do 4

Bandages,'' muslin, roller, compressed, 5 yards by 3

inches... number., 100

Chloralum hydratum, 4 drams in ball, <i in tube

_ -.lubes.. 3

Cotton, absorbent, sterilized, in 1-ounce package

__ packages.. 32

Gauze, sublimated, 2-half-yard lengths in package

... packages.. 12

Hydrargyri ehloridum eorrosivum tablets, 250 in

bottle ipar.902)__ bottles.. 1

lodum-potassii iodidum ampoules. SO

Liquor cresolis compound, 8 ounces in bottle

bottles.. 1

Oakum, surgical, 1 pound in package packages.. 2

Petrolatum, 12 ounces in tin.-- tins.. 1

Pilulie aloini composite (equine purgative) 12 cap-
sules in package (par. S02)... packages.. 2

Plumbi acctas compositus, C. T. SO in bottle (par.

902) bottles.. 1

Soap, Ivory - cakes.. 3

Suture, silk, braided, No. 14 spools.. 1

Thermometers, clinical, veterinary, incase. number.. 2

Towels, hand - do 2

Tray, metal, white enamel, 8J4 by 5H by 2 inches

number.. 1

Vial2-ounce, empty, with rubber stopper, in tin case,

foriodin - number.. 1

Veterinary Officer's Field Chest
(Issuable to each veterinary officer detached. Container,
wooden, iron-bound box, approximately 20 by 9 by 10
inches; weight filled, 40 pounds. All contents supplied
by the Medical Department)
Acidum boricum powdered, 1 pound in bottle

_ ._bottle..

Alcohol, 3 pints in tin tins..

Bandages, 6 muslin, roller, compressed, S yards by 3

inches - ..number..

Case, pocket, veterinary (par. 974) do

Case, hypodermic tablets, 9 vials filled and 2 empty

(see par. 966, d) number..

Case, rectal pump, (par. 978)- do

Cotton, absorbent, in 1-pound roll pounds..

Envelopes, official, letter number..

Floats, lock:

Straight joint - do

Angular do

Extra blades for—

File —do

Rasp do

Gauze, sublimated, 2 half-yard lengths in package

packages..

Graduate, enameled, 500 c. c number..

Hydrargyri ehloridum eorrosivum tablets, 250 in
bottle (par. 902) bottles..

« Case, dental, in roll (par. 9fi9) will be issued until present stock is exhausted and substitution made.
b Until present stock is exhausted bandages 3 yards by 4 inches will be issued.

640

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

lodum-potassii iodidum ampoules,. 50

Oakum, surgical, 1 pound in packago package.. 1

Paper, writing, letter, 100 sheets in pad pads.. 1

Pencils, indelible _. number.. 4

Petrolatum. 12 ounces in tin tin.. 1

Pill-tite number.. 1

Pilulae aloini compositus (equine purgative) (par.

902), 12 capsules in package.. packages.. 2

Pins, safety paper.. 1

Plumbi acetas compositus, C. T., so in bottle (par.

902) bottles.. 2

Requisition blanks, form No. 35 number., 25

Report blanks Veterinary Corps do 25

Spatula. 6-inch do 1

Suture tape, sterilized, ls-inches each, 2 pieces in

package packages.. 1

d Supplied in packages until present stock is exhausted.

Syringe:

Hypodermic, 10 c. c number..

Metal, dose, 2 ounces _do

Extra pipes for, 2 sizes, of each do

Suture,'' linen, merzon, in skein.. skeins..

Thermometer, clinical. veterinary, in case

number..

Tins, containing ammonium carbonas balls. .do

Tube:

Containing chloral hydrate balls.. _ do

Trachea.. do

Twine, in ball, coarse do

Vial, 2-ounce, empty, for iodine (rubber stopper), in
tin case number..

Equipments of veterinary units

Articles

Quan-
tity

Veterinary field unit
Chest:

Veterinary field unit (par. 986)

number,.

Veterinary officer's field (par. 987)

number..

Ilorses, riding.. do

Horse equipments:

Officer's complete do

Enlisted men's complete ...do

Pistols number.

Wallets:

Farrier's (par. 970) do

Veterinary officers (par. 974) do

Divisional Mobile Veterinary Section

Blacksmith's kit complete number..

Boxes, pack mule, empty do

Chests:

Veterinary field unit (par. 986).. .do

Veterinary officer's field (par. 987J

number. .

Horses, riding do

Horse equipments:

Officer's, complete do

Enlisted men's, complete do

Mules:

Draft do....

Pack do....

Nails, horseshoe:

16 nails for each mounted officer and
each mounted man :is a part of his
equipment

4 and 5, of each.. _ pounds..

Pistols.., .- .number-.

Saddles, pack (par. 953* do

Shoes, horse and mule

(1) Fitted shoes—

For riding horses (1 fore and 1

hind shoe carried by rider for

his mount).
For pack mule (1 fore and 1 hind

shoe per pack mule; carried in

pack).
For draft mule (2 fore and 2 hind

shoes per draft mule; carried in

wagon).

(2) Extra shoes—

For horses pounds..

For pack mule do

For draft mule do

Source
of sup-
ply

1

11

M

M
Q

O
O
O

M

M

O

M

M

M
Q

o
o

Q
Q

Q
Q
O
M
Q

36
2
12

Q
Q

q

Veterinary field unit— Continued

Divisional Mobile Veterinary Section—
Continued

Wagon, escort, with harness, complete
number..

Wallets:

Farrier's (par. 970) do

Veterinary officer's (par. 974) do

Corps Mobile Veterinary Hospital

Ambulance, 2-mule, with harness complete
_ number. .

Blacksmith's kit, complete do

Chests:

Veterinary field unit (par. 986).. .do

Veterinary officer's field (par. 987)
number..

Horses, riding do

Horse equipments:

Officer's, complete.. do

Enlisted men's, complete do

Mules, draft do

Nails, horseshoe:

lfi nails for each mounted officer and
each mounted man as a part of his

equipment

4 and 5, of each pounds..

Pistols number..

Range, field No. 2, complete do

Shoes, horse and mule

Quan-
tity

Source
of sup-
ply-

Fitted shoes—
For riding horses, (1 fore and 1
hind shoe carried by rider for
his mount).
For draft mules, (2 fore and 2 hind
shoes per draft mule; carried in
wagon) .
Extra shoes—

For horses pounds..

For draft mules do

Wagons, escort, with harness complete

number..

Wallets:

Farrier's (par. 970) ..do

Veterinary officer's (par. 974) do

(1)

(2)

2
12

1
11
6

V-2

37
1

36

18

M
M

Q

o

M

M
Q

O

o
Q

M
M

• M = Medical Department; Q = Quartermaster Corps; = Ordnance Department.

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

641

Articles

Veterinary Hospital

Ambulance:

Motor number,.

2 mule, with harness, complete
number..

Anvils, 1 hundredweight do

Blocks for do—

Aprons, horseshoer's leather.. do

Axes:

With helves do—

Fire, with helves do

Pick, with helves do

Hag, nose do—

Barrows, wheel ... . do...

Blacksmith's kit, complete.. -do.

Quantity

Voter-
Base inary
hos- hosp'i-
pital, tal,
■00 pa- 1,000
tients pa-
tients

....do—
do...

Blankets, horse

Boiler, instrument

Brooms:

Corn do

Stable do...

Brushes:

Dandy do

Hand, fiber do

Horse _. do

Scrubbing do

Whitewash with handle .do

Buckets:

Canvas, watering do

Fire. do...

Galvanized iron do

Candles. pounds .

Canvas, 27 inches wide. yards..

Carts, feed , 2-wheeled number.

Case thermo-eautery, ether (par.
977) number .

Chest:

Tool, No. 2 (par. 938) do— .

Veterinary field unit do

Veterinary hospital. __ set..

Veterinary officer's field
number..

Clippers.

1 1 orse, hand do . . .

Blades for do

Machine do

Extra heads for do

Extra blades for do

Coal oil, 5 gallons in lin tins..

Combs, curry number.

Crowbars, 5' ■> or 6 feet do

Cutters, wire, small do

Diggers, post hole do

Disinfectors:

Cog gear, double-acting, spray
pump, 60-gallon, mounted on
skids ._ number..

Hand, spray do

Flags, distinguishing:

Veterinary hospital do

Mobile veterinary sect ion. do

Forks:

Hay and manure stable.. do

Long-handled (4-tine) do

Gowns, operating do

Grease, lubricating pounds..

Grindstone, kitchen, complete
number..

Guns, balling do

Halters do

Halter shanks, cotton rope, 1 2 inch.
Moot lengths number..

Harness menders (Q. M. M.,
Appendix 14-32) number..

Horses, riding do

Horse equipments, complete.. do

Hose, rubber, 60-foot lengths

lengths..

Metal connections for.number..

4

I
g

500
8
5

500
1

4
30

250
12

250
72
20

50
50
50
15
150
4

12
12
5
10
20
5
250
2
5
3

1

2

000

1,500

2

4
4

4
4

1

5
5
5

1:
6
8

1.000
16
5

1, 000
2

8
60

500
24

500
100
25

06
100
100

25

200

8

24
24
10
20
40
10
500
2
5
4

1

2

1,200

2,500
2

Source

M

Q
Q
Q
Q

Q
Q
Q
o
Q
o

M
M

\l
Q

Q
M
Q

M

Q

o
Q

M
M

Q
Q

M
M
M

M

M
M
M
M

M

Q
o
Q

\t
Q

M
M

Q

Q

Q
Q
M
Q

M
M

Q

Q
Q
O

M
M

Vetkeinary Hospital — Continued

Jacks, wagon do

Lamps:

Brazing (blowtorch) .do

Spirit, glass. do

Lanterns, complete do

Extra globes for ...do

Extra wicks for do

Leather:
Black-
Harness sides

Bridle do

Latigo do

Matches ... packages..

Mauls, sledge-hammer- _ .number. .

Mules, draft do

Nails:

lOd pounds..

20d do

Horseshoe, Nos. 4 and 5_.do

Xozzles, hose number. .

Oil, lubricating, motor gallons. .

Pnulins. 20 by 30 feet number..

Pins, metal, picket, line, 2 feet 6

inches by 2 inches number. .

Pistols do

Posts, picketing do

Rakes, steel do

Ranges, field, complete do

Rivets and bars, assorted. .pounds..
Rope:

Cotton % inch feet..

Lash, cotton, W inch do

Scales and weights, Troemer's

number..

Sets, saddler's tools (Q. M. M.,

Appendix 14-31)

Shears, fetlock number..

Shoes:

Horse-
No. 2 sets..

No.3 do

No. 4 do

No.5 do._._

Mule-
No. 2 .-do....

No.3 do

No. 4 do....

No. 5 do

No. 6 do....

Shovels:

Long -handled ..number-.

Scoop do

Snaps, halter, extra, for repairs

dozen. .

Soap:

Common pounds. .

Ivory cakes. .

Stocks, metal number. .

Stoves, coal-oil; blue flame, 1

burner number..

Wicks for do 1

Table, equine, operating do !

Thread, saddler's:

3-ounce balls. .

10-ounce do

Towels, hand dozen..

Trucks, motor, l l 2 tonS-_.number_-
Wagons, escort, with harness, com-
plete number. .

Wallets:

Farrier's (par. 970) do._

Vete.rinary officer's (par. 974)

number..

Wax, saddler's .ounces. .

Whips, driver's number. .

Quantity

Base
hos-
pital,
500 pa
tients

Veter-
inary
hospi-
tal.
1,000
pa-
tients

3
3
1
2
10
12

12
12

5

6

40
21

I IX)
24

2

3

150

200 !

10
3
9
8

80
26
200
34
3
5

250

IIHI

100

150

300

450

300

450

50

75

L'.MI

375

500

750

500

750

2.50

375

25(1

375

20

30

25

35

40

511

100

200

36

60

2

2

1

2

2

1

1

1

2

3

2

3

20
1

30

1

3

6

10

20

4

7

1

1

3

6

M
M
M
M

M

Q
Q
Q
M
Q
Q

Q
Q
Q

M
Q
Q

Q
ii
O
Q
Q
Q

Q
Q

Q

M

M
M

M

M

M
M

Q
Q
M
Q

M

Q
Q

1 Obtained locally.

306(53—28-

-II

642

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Division veterinarian's office a

Articles

(a) Stationery

Envelopes, official, letter number..

Paper:

Blotting... .quire-
Carbon, letter, 100 sheets in box__-box..
Manifolding—

Cap, 250 sheets in package
packages-
Letter, 500 sheets in package, .do —
Typewriter—

Cap, 250 sheets in package do —

Letter, 500 sheets in package, .do—

Quan-
tity

Source

200

M

1

M

1

M

1

M

1

M

1

M

1

M

Articles

(b) Miscellaneous

Broom, corn number.

Candles do—

Chairs, folding do___

Desk, field No. 1 (par. 940) do...

Lanterns, candle, folding do...

Typewriter. do,-_

Record ribbons for do...

Quan-
tity

Source

1

M

24

M

3

M

1

M

2

M

1

M

2

M

<■ This same equipment will be issued to veterinary officers commanding veterinary hospitals, corps veterinarians,
army veterinarians, and veterinary inspectors.

Desk, field No. 1, veterinary

(a) Stationery

Bands, elastic, assorted sizes gross.. 1

Book, blank, 8vo., 150 pages... number.. 1

Books, note, manifolding, 4 by 6 inches:

Binders- - ...do 3

Fillers do 12

Envelopes, official:

Large - do 25

Letter do 150

Eraser:

Rubber do 1

Steel ....do.... 1

Ink:

Black, powder or tablets boxes.. 1

Red, powder or tablets, do 1

Inkwells number.. 2

Pads, prescription do 24

Paper:

Blotting pieces.. 4

Carbon, letter, 100 sheets in box boxes.. 1

Fasteners do 1

Writing —

Letter, 100 sheets in pad pads.. 2

Note, 100 sheets in pad do 6

Paste, photo tubes.. 1

Pencils:

Indelible number.. 3

Lead - do.... 24

Penholders do.... 4

Pens, steel do 24

Ruler do.— 1

Stamp, penalty, rubber, with pad do 1

Tags, shipping do 100

(t>) Pouch for Blanks

Pouch, canvas-lined, waterproof • number.. 1

Tubes, japanned tin, with close-fitting covers, nest

f 46 nests.. 1

.nests,
(c) Manuals, Army Regulations, etc.

Army Regulations number..

Drill Regulations and Service Manual for Sanitary
Troops (1917)-. - -- ...number..

Equipment Tables, Quartermaster Supplies .do

• To be used (or carrying blanks, stationery, etc.,
> Containers for stationery, etc., in pouch. Sizes

2 inches diameter and 10H inches long; one IH inches

Field Service Regulations number..

Infantry Drill Regulations, United States Army,

1911, corrected to April, 1917 number..

Manual for Army Horseshoers (1917) do

Manual for Courts-Martial do

Manual for Medical Department. do

Manual for Stable Sergeants (1917) do

Rules for Land Warfare do

Special Regulations, No. 70, with amendments

number..

1

All published changes in the above named publications
should be placed in the desk at the time of issue from
the depot.

(if) Blank Forms, Medical Department, Veterinary
Corps

Nos. 17, 17c, of each... number.. 6

Nos. 35,37, 47a, 103. 111. of each ...do 25

Nos. 105, lOli, 107. 110, 110a, 110b, of each do 100

Nos. 114, 114a, 114b, 114c, of each do 125

Nos. 17a. 17b, 102, of each do 200

No.116 do 500

No. 115. do 3,000

I

(O Blank Forms, Adjutant General's Department

Nos. 3, 17, 30, 34, 86, 14a, 196, 332, 339, 383, 415, of each

number. _ 6

No. 370W.D- — do 12

Nos. 520, 527 of each -do 2

Nos. 599a, 599b, 600, 601, 602, 631, 637, 644, 644a, of

each. number.. 12

No. 599 do 200

Nos. 647, 648 of each do 50

No. 525 do 4

Correspondence book do 1

(/) Blank Forms, Quartermaster Corps

Nos. 41, 205, 211a, 366, of each number.. 12

No. 8a do..__ 6

Nos. 38, 39, of each do 25

No. 366a -do 100

No. 406.- do 50

Nos. 218, 223, 452, of each book.. 1

when conditions are such that the field desk can not be taken,
of tins as follows: One 2H inches diameter and 11 inches long: one
diameter and 10 inches long; one 1 inch diameter and 9 inches long.

DENTAL ASD VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 643

(It) Inspector General's Department

No. 1 number.. 4

No. la do 10

(g) Blank Forms, Ordnance Department

Nos. 18a, 150, of each ..number.- 6

No. 151 ___ ( io 50

No. 152 do 12

No. 386 _ do 24

Nos. 1715, 1879, of each book.. 1

Note.— Issued to the veterinarian of the following organizations: Cavalry, Artillery, mobile veterinary section, corps
mobile veterinary hospital, base or army veterinary hospital, and veterinary hospiial.

Library unit for veterinary hospitals

The Anatomy of the Domestic Animals. Sisson.
Principles of Microbiology. Moore.

The American Illustrated Medical Dictionary. Dorland.
A Manual of Veterinary Hygiene. Smith.
Infection and Resistance. Zinsser.

Order 211. Regulations Governing the Meat Inspection of the United States Department of Agriculture, 1»11
Bureau of Animal Industry.

Meat. Hygiene. Edelmann. Translated by Mohlerand Kichhorn.

Clinical Diagnostics of the Internal Diseases of Domestic Animals. Malkmus. Translated by White and Fischer.

Colics of the Horse. Reeks.

A Textbook of the Principles and Practice of Veterinary Medicine. White.

Diseases of the Horse's Foot. Reeks.

Milk Hygiene. Klein.

Epizootics and their Control during War. Miessner.

General Therapeutics, Frohner's. Klein.

United States Pharmacopoeia.

Veterinary Materia Medica and Therapeutics. Winslow.

Manual of Veterinary Physiology. Smith.

A Handbook of Horseshoeing. Dollar.

The Army Horseshoer. Government Printing Office.

General Veterinary Surgery. Frohner. Translated by Udail.

The Exterior of the Horse. Goubaux and Barrier.

Feeds and Feeding Manual. Henry.

Special Report on Diseases of the Horse. United States Department of Agriculture.

Individual equipment was provided for veterinary officers and for enlisted
men in the form of a wallet, veterinary officer's, and a wallet, farrier's. The
field equipment was carried in the chest, veterinary officer's, and chest, veter-
inary field unit. Some additional equipment for the divisional mobile veterinary
section was carried in two pack-mule boxes. A division veterinarian's office
equipment was provided. The divisional veterinary units were expected to
have their complete equipments with them when they left for overseas service.
The veterinary field equipment of a division included the following articles: 8

Chests:

Veterinary field unit number.. 13

Veterinary officer's do 12

Desk, field, veterinarian's, No. 1 do 1

Wallets:

Wallets— Continued.

Veterinary officer's number.. 12

Boxes, pack-mule — do 2

Saddle, pack -. -- do 1

Division veterinarian's office equipment do 1

Farrier's do 20

PLAN OF PROCUREMENT AND DISTRIBUTION

In the general plan for the procurement and distribution of supplies required
by the Medical Department, veterinary supplies were assigned by the Surgeon
General to the medical supply depot at St. Louis, Mo. This decision of the
Surgeon General was reached very early, and the following information was
furnished the officer in charge of that depot, April 21, 1917 : 9

1. It is probable that the pending Army bill will transfer the purchase of veterinary
supplies to the Medical Department, in which case it is contemplated that the purchase
and distribution of these articles shall be assigned to the St. Louis depot. An effort will
be made to obtain a suitable veterinary surgeon to assist you in this work, as indicated in
■Supply No. 685.

644 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

2. Some time ago a board of veterinarians was appointed upon the request of this office
to meet in the Southern Department for the purpose of preparing a veterinary supply
table.

3. I am sending you herewith a preliminary list of veterinary supplies that are under
consideration. This is by no means the final supply table and is sent to you merely that
you may have some idea of what is contemplated. The 1 > ill has not yet been passed
assigning this purchase to the Medical Department, nor are funds available. The final
veterinary supply table has not yet been acted upon.

4. The inclosed list was suggested by Mr. Frank Ryan, president of Parke, Davis
& Co. (who is acting in conjunction with the Council of National Defense), as amounts
which the drug firms might lie asked to supply at one time.

*******
After the tentative supply table had been developed and the quantities to
be purchased had been determined, the following instructions were issued to
the officer in charge of the medical supply depot at St. Louis: 10

1. Inclosed herewith is a tentative estimate of a quantity of veterinary supplies for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918. It is contemplated that these supplies be purchased
in six increments at intervals of one month.

2. It is desired that the committees on pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, and
surgical dressings be advised of your probable requirements at the earliest practicable
date. * * *

3. These committees will inform you of the manufacturers who can supply these articles
and the quantity allotted to each, as well as the rate of production which may be expected.

4. The veterinary panniers have not yet been decided upon, and instructions covering
their purchase and issue will be sent you at a later date.

The quantities on the tentative list were somewhat in excess of those
recommended by the committee on pharmaceuticals on April 19. 7 The
instructions to divide the quantities into six parts and make purchase of one
part at successive intervals had been based on the recommendation of
the committee to purchase pharmaceuticals in smaller quantities at intervals
of two months. The instructions were modified later to procure one-sixth of
the medicine and one-third of the remaining articles on a 10-day circular at
intervals of 2 months." These instructions were amended later, in so far as
they related to surgical instruments and appliances, to direct that the full
quantity of each article be furnished the committees on surgical instruments
and surgical dressings and that awards and recommendations be had from
those committees for the awards and the distribution of the contract. 12 Orders
for medicines and miscellaneous articles were placed in July, but orders for
instruments could not be placed until the contents of the standard cases had
finally been determined. In subsequent purchases of veterinary supplies the
customary routine of procurement was observed.

The first circular proposal for bids for the purchase of supplies, authorized
May 21, 1918, contained 143 items, of which 75 were medicines; 5, surgical
dressings; 6, cases of instruments; 8, surgical appliances; 1, thermometers; 48,
miscellaneous. The circular was issued at the St. Louis depot, June 15, 1917,
and bids were opened June 26, 1917. 13 At the suggestion of the chairman of the
surgical instrument committee, the officer in charge, was advised by wire, June
29, that the surgical dressings committee would allot bandages, absorbent
cotton, and adhesive plaster; that the surgical instrument committee would

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 645

allot instrument cases, casting harness, operating hoods, razors, saddlebags,
suspending slings, syringes, metal, and syringes, hypodermic; and that the
committee on thermometers would allot the thermometers. 14 The award on
the remaining items was made by the medical supply officer, who was instructed
to expedite delivery. The quantities of veterinary instruments ordered at this
time were as follows: 15

Cases:

Farrier's number.. 3,840

Foot do 80

General operating — do 40

Hypodermic syringe do_— 1.440

Hypodermic tablets do 1,040

With 12 vials rilled as follows:

1 apomorphine hydrochloride, T V, grain.

3 arecoline, 1 grain.

2 cocaine hydrochloride, 2 grains.
1 digitaline, V t grain.

1 glonoin, A grain.

4 strychnine sulphate. 1 grain.

Pockec number.. 1,010

Post-mortem .- . _. ._ do 80

Rectal pump do 120

Thermocautery, ether do 80

Clippers, horse, hand do 480

Dental floats, straight, screw driver end on han-
dle number 1,280

Universal file blades for do 7,680

Universal rasp blades for. do 7,680

Dentalrolls do 80

Harness casting, Knowles's do 1,120

Hoods, operating, horse -- do — L60

Needles, surgical, assorted . dozen.. 400

Ophthalmoscope number 40

Razors do 240

Saddlebags, veterinary do 960

Slings, suspending- ...pairs.. 240

Syringe, dose, metal, l-ounce, 2-ounce, 4-ounce, of
each number.. 1,440

6-inch pipes for, % inch and tV inch of each

number . 2,880

Tube, stomach, 10-foot do 160

Reed cleaning stylets for do 160

Ten additional items of surgical instruments and operating equipment were
added August 1, 1917, and the quantity of 11 items on the list of May 21, 1918,
was increased. The quantity of two items was decreased. 15 Orders and
contracts were placed, and supplies were delivered in about the usual time;
that is, medicines, enamel ware and glassware promptly, surgical dressings a
little later. Surgical instruments were delivered last because they had to be
manufactured at a time when every factory was rushed with other Government
orders.

For several months the stock of standard articles being insufficient to fill
requisitions for veterinary supplies received from the various organizations, the
nonstandard items received from the Quartermaster Corps were substituted
whenever practicable. The majority of veterinary officers, who had not been
in the service long enough to become familiar with the supply table, adapted
themselves quite well to the unsettled conditions and prescribed the items issued
them with success. It soon became evident that veterinarians at the several
camp veterinary hospitals were asking for supplies in excess not only of
authorized allowances but of actual needs. On account of the limited quantity
of supplies available, it was necessary to limit the quantity issued to that of
the allowance. Some complaint was made that the number of medicines in
this standard list was inadequate; that many very essential drugs appearing in
previous lists were omitted. The officers making these complaints were advised
by the Surgeon General that, under the circumstances, it was more desirable to
practice preventive medicine than to treat conditions after their development
among animals. 16 In the former case less medication was required. 16

For the proper protection of sick animals, the officer in charge of the
medical supply depot at New York, was directed, September 14, 1917, to
purchase 60,000 horse blankets for use of the veterinary service, and to distribute

646 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

them in certain numbers to the various camps and medical supply depots. 17
This number was increased September 24, 1917, to 70,000. 18 The officer in
charge of the medical supply depot at New York reported January 23, 1918,
that 55,455 of these blankets had been received at the camps and depots,
including those sent overseas, or were then in France. 19 These blankets do not
appear to have been extensively used in many of the camps, whether from lack
of need of them or from lack of information concerning their availability, is
not known. In some instances such blankets were obtained from the
Quartermaster Corps.

The second set of instructions covering the purchase of veterinary supplies
was sent to the officer in charge, medical supply depot at St. Louis, February
12, 1918. 20 The schedule transmitted with these instructions grouped the sup-
plies in three classes: (1) Medicines, antiseptics, and disinfectants; (2) surgical
instruments; (3) miscellaneous. The last item covered surgical dressings and
other hospital equipment and supplies. The schedule gave the quantities
required for one year for 250,000 animals, and the quantities which were to be
purchased per quarter. The officer in charge was instructed to invite propos-
als quarterly for these supplies, one class at a time, and for all articles in that
class, and for the full quantity to be purchased in the quarter. Bidders were
to be permitted to submit quotations for one or more items of the proposal
and for the whole or any part of an item, but were required to state the rate
of delivery and the total quantity they would undertake to deliver without fail
within 90 days from date of award. Awards were to be made and the date
and hour of opening of the bid was to be stated in all circular advertisements.
These instructions contemplated the procurement of a sufficient quantity of
every item on the list to bring the total quantity of that item procured since
April 1, 1917, up to the quantity given in the schedule, as required for 250,000
animals for one year. The officer in charge of the medical supply depot was
directed to report any item the quantity of which on the list appeared to
be too low. Approximately a dozen items were so reported by the officer in
charge.

The next instructions to purchase were issued in June, 1918. A different
form of schedule was used in stating the quantities to be purchased. It was
similar to that sent to the depot at New York for the purchase of general
hospital supplies. (See p. 182.) The schedule gave the quantities of veterinary
supplies for one division, including hospitals, required for six months. The
instructions prescribed the number of times the quantities in this schedule
were to be purchased. 21 After the various chests had been determined, instruc-
tions were issued concerning the quantity of each type to be purchased.

In the general development of centralization of procurement of surgical
instruments in the general purchasing office, Medical Department, Washington,
D. C, veterinary medicines and instruments were assigned to it for purchase.
As deliveries were made the accepted supplies were forwarded to the medical
supply depot at St. Louis, Mo., for storage and issue. Except for the fiber
chests entering into the veterinary unit equipment, an ample quantity of
veterinary supplies was available at the time of signing the armistice.

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 647

DISTRIBUTION

Inasmuch as the authority for the Medical Department to procure and
distribute veterinary supplies did not become a law until June 15, 1917/ instruc-
tions relative to distribution of such supplies could not be issued at an earlier
date. It was contemplated that all medical supply depots making distribution
of supplies to the training camps would carry and issue veterinary supplies.
The slowness with which these supplies were received from manufacturers and
increasing demands for them at camps and overseas prevented this widespread
distribution of the stock. It made necessary the distribution of all such sup-
plies from the depot at St. Louis. 9 In order that all personnel of the Medical
Department concerned in the use of veterinary supplies might be informed of
the manner in which they were to be obtained, the following telegram was sent
on July 1, 1917, to all department surgeons: 22

Supply number one thousand fifty one. Veterinary supplies and equipment will here-
after be furnished by the Medical Department. Issue on requisitions approved by the
department surgeons. Use post stock so far as practicable until veterinary stock is available.
Purchase articles not in stock as necessary to fill approved requisitions. Veterinary vaccines
should be obtained from Army Medical School.

On the same date, the following telegram was sent to the medical supply
depots distributing to troops: 23

Supply number one thousand fifty. Beginning thih date all veterinary supplies and
equipment will be furnished by the Medical Department. A copy of the standard supply
table will be forwarded as soon as available. Until received General Orders number twenty
War Department February twenty sixth nineteen hundred nine will govern. Requisition
should be made on Medical Department blank form number thirty five. Articles should
be limited to the supply table except for satisfactory reasons. Veterinary surgeons should
inventory veterinary equipment and supplies in their possession and forward list to this
office at earliest practicable date. For the present the return of veterinary property will be
made annually on form seventeen, A, B, and C.

To clear up some questions received by the officer in charge, medical
supply depot, St. Louis, concerning the method of handling veterinary supplies,
the following instructions were issued July 4, 1917 : 24

1. Replying to your telegram of the 30th ultimo, relative to veterinary supplies, your
attention is invited to the inclosed copy of correspondence between this office and the
Quartermaster General relative to the transfer of veterinary supplies. Copies of the act
making appropriations for the fiscal year 1918, approved May 12, and of the urgent defi-
ciency act, approved June 15, are being forwarded under separate cover, this date. These
acts both contemplate procurement and issue of veterinary supplies by the Medical
Department.

2. All veterinary supplies received from the depot quartermaster should be taken up
on your return of medical property under the heading "Veterinary supplies." A copy of
your acknowledgment to the depot quartermaster, St. Louis, of the receipt of these sup-
plies should be furnished this office.

3. Veterinary supplies will, hereafter, be carried as a part of the Medical Department
supplies under their proper title, "Veterinary supplies," in the same manner as dental
instruments and supplies are carried in paragraphs 854 to 856, inclusive.

4. Requisitions will be prepared by veterinary surgeons on Form 35, Medical Depart-
ment, and issues may be made on them when approved by department surgeons.

648 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

5. For the present these supplies will be issued and invoiced to the proper veterinarian
in like manner as supplies are issued to regimental surgeons and dental surgeons. If two
veterinarians be on duty with the same organization, the property should be invoiced to
the senior.

6. General authority to purchase articles not in stock to fill approved requisitions were
sent you by telegraph on the 1st instant. These instructions hold until the articles listed
on the tentative veterinary list, forwarded you under date of May 21, have been received.
It is desired that all unusual articles on these requisitions be eliminated. It is evident that
the tendency of veterinarians is to include a great many articles of undemonstrated efficacy
and which might very well be dispensed with. Bacterins and vaccines for veterinary use
may be obtained from the Army Medical School, this city, and mallein from the nearest
branch of the Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture.

7. The veterinary requisitions forwarded by you have been returned approved for issue
as modified, with authority to purchase.

8. All orders placed by you for veterinary supplies on behalf of the Quartermaster
Department since June 15, 1917, may be paid for out of urgent deficiency appropriation for
the Medical Department. Orders placed by you remaining undelivered on that date should
be canceled, and new orders placed to cover them. This will obviate any question of
settlement of accounts. All supplies delivered prior to June 15, on orders placed at the
request of the depot quartermaster, should be paid for by the Quartermaster Department.
In other words, June 15 is the dividing line between the supplies purchased by the Quarter-
master Department and those purchased by the Medical Department. All supplies paid
for out of money pertaining to the Medical Department are to be taken up on your returns
as pertaining to that department.

The telegram of July 1 to all department surgeons was supplemented by
letter of instructions of July 10 accounting more clearly the particulars to be
observed in the issue of veterinary supplies. Copy of these instructions appear
below : 25

1. In conformity with the Army appropriation act for the fiscal year 1917, approved
May 17, and the urgent deficiency act, approved June 15, 1917, veterinary supplies will
hereafter be furnished by the Medical Department and issued in the same manner as post,
field, and dental supplies.

2. A veterinary supply table is in course of preparation and will be forwarded as soon
as completed. Until its receipt, the supply table published in General Orders, No. 20, War
Department, February 26, 1902, will govern both as to items and as to quantity of preparations
to be asked for.

3. Requests for veterinary supplies will be made by the senior veterinarian on duty with
the organization in the manner prescribed in paragraph 482, Manual for the Medical
Department, 1916. These requisitions should be forwarded through the post or regimental
surgeon.

4. You are authorized to approve veterinary requests for all articles on the supply table,
the same as other requisitions, and to delegate this authority to division surgeons within
your department under such instructions and limitations as you may deem for the best
interests of the service. A stock of veterinary supplies is now being purchased by the
Medical Department. As soon as this is available a sufficient quantity will be sent to the
medical supply depot which has been designated to supply troops within your department.
Until these supplies have been received, the officer in charge of that depot may substitute
stock on hand or purchase in open market such quantities as are needed to fill requisitions.

5. Vaccines for veterinary use will be obtained from the Army Medical School, Wash-
ington, D. C., and kept in stock at the medical supply depot within your department.
Commercial vaccines will not be purchased. Curative sera, the efficacy of which has been
demonstrated, may be purchased by the officer in charge of the medical supply depot on
your approval, in such quantities as arc required to meet the existing emergency. Requisi-
tions should be carefully scanned that needless expense from the use of products, the efficacy
of which remains to be proved, may be avoided.

DENTAL AND VETERINAKY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 649

fi. Returns of veterinary supplies to be rendered annually by the responsible veterinarian,
in the manner prescribed in paragraph 507, Manual for the Medical Department, 1916.

7. Suggestions relative to the improvement of the veterinary service, and especially to
the supplies, should be forwarded to this office.

Some difficulty was experienced for several months in disseminating infor-
mation to veterinary personnel concerning the method of obtaining veterinary
supplies. The camp medical supply depots carried a stock of veterinary as
well as other medical supplies. It was months, however, before the remount
depots and some other veterinary units fully understood that they could secure
their needed supplies from that depot by the simple process of submitting a
requisition for them. This may have arisen from a doubt in the mind of the
camp medical supply officer concerning his responsibility for supplies for the
veterinarian at the remount depot. The remount depot, while immediately
adjacent to the camp, was for months an independent unit.

Because of the shortage of veterinary supplies for many months it seemed
unwise to stock the distributing depots with this class of supplies. Issues were
made direct from the St. Louis depot to camp supply depots and to separate
stations. Issues were made on requisitions received through the prescribed
channels.

Shipments of veterinary supplies to the American Expeditionary Forces in
France encountered the same difficulties and delays experienced in the shipment
of other classes of supplies. Delay in receipt of supplies was the principal
cause in the delay in forwarding them. The St. Louis depot had the advantage
of position, in that shipments could be routed with equal facility to any of the
ports on the Atlantic seaboard or on the Gulf.

When the first convoy of troops sailed for France in June, 1917, the
distribution of veterinary supplies was not under the control of the Medical
Department, consequently none of these supplies were included in the shipment
of medical supplies sent with that convoy. After the arrival of this convoy in
France the need for veterinary supplies developed, and a requisition based on
approximately 50,000 animals was forwarded by the chief quartermaster, A. E. F.
This requisition was promptly forwarded to the medical supply depot at St.
Louis, for issue. The commander in chief, A. E. F., informed The Adjutant
General, September 17, 1917, that veterinary supplies were urgently needed
and that none had been received in France to date. 26 Reply was made to this
by the Surgeon General by cable, September 21, 1917, to the effect that
shipment of veterinary supplies had gone forward on the steamship the City
of Savannah, and that a second shipment of 34,000 pounds was then going
forward to Newport News, Va. 27 The Surgeon General, a few days later,
advised the surgeon, base group, A.E.F., in France, by letter, that 289 packages
of veterinary supplies had already gone forward; that a second shipment
weighing 34,180 pounds, occupying 1,601 cubic feet, was being loaded at
Newport News; that additional shipments would be forwarded as fast as they
could be secured; and that the allowance for 50,000 animals, of which these
two shipments were a part, should be ample to meet the requirements. 28 The
veterinary supplies forwarded on the City of Savannah on October 2, 1917,

650 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

amounted to 37,437 pounds and 1,732 cubic feet. The City of Savannah docked
in France about October 17, and the officer in charge of the medical supply
depot, A. E. F., reported Norembsr 7, that 210 of the 289 packages had been
received and that the remainder was expected. 20

In compliance with the request of the commander in chief, A. E. F., that
shipment of supplies be put on an automatic basis, a list of supplies estimated
as sufficient to provide for 10,000 animals for one month was compiled. There
were approximately 10,000 animals per division and 10,000 was taken as the
unit of supply for animals as 26,000 was for personnel. A copy of this list was
furnished the officer in charge, medical supply depot at St. Louis, Mo., October
26, 1917, with instructions to ship four times that quantity in November. 30
The automatic supply list for December was forwarded to the officer in charge,
medical supply depot, St. Louis, December 18, 1917. 31 That for January was
forwarded December 31, 1917. 32 The veterinary supplies on the December
automatic shipment, amounting to 535 packages, 46,000 pounds, 1,950 cubic
feet, was ready for shipment December 28, 1917. 33 Under instructions from
the chief of embarkation service these supplies were shipped to Mobile, Ala. 34

By November 2, 1917, the fourth shipment of supplies on the requisition
from France had been assembled and was ready for shipment, together with
the automatic replacement for October amounting to 34,720 pounds, 1,250
cubic feet. The shipment was forwarded through Newport News. 35 On
November 22, 1917, another lot of veterinary supplies amounting to 119 pack-
ages, 14,580 pounds, 687 cubic feet, was ready for shipment. 36 Thereafter the
shipment of veterinary supplies on automatic replacement, in increasing quan-
tities, was forwarded monthly, in accordance with instructions issued by the
Surgeon General to the respective ports of embarkation and directed by the
chief of embarkation service.

The quantities of supplies included in these automatic shipments increased
rapidly in conformity with the number of troops overseas. In supplying the
equipment required by the various organizations overseas, a constant endeavor
was made to send all items contained in the supply table for the equipment of
every particular organization, whether the articles were furnished by the
Medical Department, the Ordnance Department, or the Quartermaster
Department. For the smaller units, for example, the divison surgeon's office,
and divisional veterinary units, division veterinary mobile hospitals, the supplies
were issued to the given unit before it left its station in the United States.
For the larger units, such as base hospitals for 500 animals, and veterinary
hospitals for 1,000 animals, the equipment was to be assembled at the port of
embarkation and issued to the units at the time of embarkation.

A cablegram from the commanding general, A. E. F., October 11, 1917,
called for one base veterinary hospital and six veterinary hospitals for the Line
of Communications. 37 Action on equipment of these organizations was delayed
because at the time of receipt of the cablegram there had been no personnel of
the Veterinary Corps available. This personnel had to be secured through the
draft and trained. The officer in charge, finance and supply division, Surgeon
General's Office, was advised December 12, 1917, that organizations had been

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 651

formed at Camp Devens for a veterinary hospital for 500 animals and one for
1,000 animals; that they had been reported to the chief of embarkation service
as ready to sail; that the five other units requested in the cablegram would be
ready to sail within a short time. 38 The question of individual equipment for
officers and men was raised in order that they might be properly equipped.
After the lapse of considerable time the question was decided and the equipment
issued. Instructions were given, January 17, 1918, for the issue of the Medical
Department part of the equipment for one veterinary base hospital for 500
animals and for Veterinary Hospital No. 1 to Camp Devens; Veterinary
Hospitals Nos. 2 and 6, at Camp Upton, and for Veterinary Hospitals Nos. 3, 4,
and 5, at Camp Lee. :iil The Quartermaster General and the Chief of Ordnance
were each furnished a list of articles of their respective departments which
entered into the equipment of these hospitals. They were requested to send the
requisite quantities there to the commanding officers of the hospitals at their
respective camps. 40 A part of the equipment of these organizations was issued
from the medical supply depot, New York, the latter part of January, 1918. 41
Material difficulty was experienced in getting the equipment for these units,
and it was not until near the end of April that they were ready to sail. Even
then they did not have the entire equipment, parts of which continued to arrive
at Camp Devens until May.

Not much greater success attended the organizing and equipping of the
veterinary hospitals in the second phase. Information concerning the prospec-
tive organization of 5 veterinary hospitals, 1 corps mobile veterinary hospital,
and 1 Army mobile veterinary hospital for the second phase w T as received Jan-
uary 30, 1918. 42 The authority to organize them was not given, however, until
the middle of April, and the units were organized at Camp Lee shortly there-
after. They were expected to be ready for service overseas in two months. 43
Instructions were issued for the shipment of the medical part of the equipment
on May 13, 1918. Requests were sent to the Quartermaster General and to the
Chief of Ordnance on the same day for the shipment to Newport News of the
articles pertaining to their respective departments. 44

Later information indicated that these units were due to sail about July
15, 1918, and that the equipment should be ready by that time. 45 The medical
supply officer, Newport News, reported, June 17, 1918, that all the medical
property except horse blankets, disinfectors on skids, metal stocks, and extra
blades for hand dippers had been received. 46 The failure to ship these articles
was due to depleted stock at the St. Louis depot and to slow deliveries from
contractors. All the ordnance supplies had been received except nose bags and
pistols. None of the quartermaster supplies had been received. 46 A subse-
quent report of July 1 indicated that a third of the quartermaster supplies had
been received and the balance promised at an early date. 47 There were still
articles due July 13, 1918. 48

The veterinary hospitals of the third, fourth, and fifth phases of General
Pershing's priority schedule, ordered supplied during July and August, were
equipped with about the same degree of expedition. A report from the port
medical supply officer, Newport News, Va., September 23, 1918, indicated that

652

FINANCE AND SUPn.Y

complete medical and ordnance equipment had been received for the hospitals
of the third and fourth phases, but that the quartermaster part of the equip-
ment had not arrived. 49 The equipment for these units had been shipped to
France by the end of October, 1918. 5 "

VETERINARY AMBULANCES

The need of veterinary ambulances with the American Expeditionary
Forces called for the development of a suitable type of conveyance. Accord-
ingly, measures were inaugurated to develop one. Prior to 1917, so far as
known, no veterinary ambulance or other vehicle intended for that purpose had
been purchased or used in the Army. Nor did it appear that they were in
common use anywhere. A few had been designed for and were in use in State
and city institutions caring for animals. It was with difficulty and after
considerable delay that even a photograph of such a vehicle was obtained.

Fu;. 40. — Veterinary ambulance, side view

After a suitable design for the body of the conveyance had been found, the
type of chassis or running gears upon which to mount it was no less perplexing.
Since the distances to be traversed were considerable, a motor chassis seemed
appropriate; but the need of the floor of the body to be only a few inches from
the ground in order to get the animal into it without too much of an effort
disqualified the motor chassis. It was decided, finally, to construct a number
of animal-drawn ambulances according to the design selected and give them a
trial at the various remount depots. The type furnished for this purpose is
shown in Figures 40 and 41. This ambulance, like all other animal-drawn
vehicles, was supplied by the Quartermaster Corps.

The slowness of this conveyance and the limited distances which it could
travel in a day with animal motive power precluded its extensive use in the

DENTAL AND VETEEINABT EQUIPMENT AXD SUPPLIES

653

combat zone. Efforts continued for a number of months to design a motor
veterinary ambulance which would be satisfactory. Very little information
was at hand concerning the type of motor veterinary ambulances used by the
Allies. The commander in chief, A. E. F., reported, in April, 1918, in response
to a cabled request from the Surgeon General, that working drawings and
specifications of approved types of motor veterinary ambulances were not then
available. 51 Other work on standard motor ambulances, considered of more
vital importance, prevented further consideration of motor veterinary ambu-
lances and no design for such vehicles was developed.

A device was developed at the motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville,
Kv., for converting the horse-drawn veterinary ambulance into a trailer so that

Kio. 41.— Veterinary ambulance, front view-
it could be towed by a motor truck. This device consisted of a V-shaped
metal frame with a ring or loop at the pointed end of the V which would fit the
pintle hook of the truck. The free ends of the V were each provided with two
U-bolt devices to fasten them securely to the shafts of the ambulance. One
such vehicle was equipped with this device and towed behind a standard motor
ambulance with a satisfactory degree of success. 52 It is not known to what
extent the device was used, if at all.

654 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

A small number of the animal-drawn ambulances, shown above, reached
the United States troops in France, where they were not much used except for
the transportation of equipment. 53

VETERINARY BIOLOGICALS

While veterinary biologicals, prophylactic and therapeutic, were on the
market during the World War, the value of many of them was uncertain and
remained to be proved. Very few of them were considered to have sufficient
merit to justify their use. This being the case, it was decided that such
vaccines as were authorized for veterinary use would be supplied by the Army
Medical School. Certain curative sera, such as tetanus antitoxin, the efficacy
of which had been proved, might be purchased. At that time glanders was
quite prevalent throughout the United States. There was prospective need
of interstate shipment of animals. Under State law and interstate commerce
regulations, horses could not be shipped from one State to another without
having been tested to determine whether they were suffering from glanders.
In making this test mallein was commonly used. It was prepared in various
forms. Some of the veterinary supply houses put it up in tablet form and
sold large quantities of these tablets. The action of this preparation in tablet
form was quite uncertain. Arrangements weTe made with the Bureau of Animal
Industry, Department of Agriculture, to furnish mallein in solution in such
quantities as might be required for the testing of animals purchased by the
Army. The Bureau of Animal Industry was prepared and offered to make
complement fixation test for glanders whenever requested to do so. Accordingly,
arrangements were made whereby a definite quantity of mallein was furnished
by the Bureau of Animal Industry and shipped weekly to the remount depots
at the different military trainings camps. After all the animals required had
been purchased, the weekly shipments were discontinued and shipments made
only upon request.

The quantities of mallein required continued to increase during 1918, and
while the Bureau of Animal Industry was able to expand its facilities, it was
deemed expedient to have an additional source of supply. It was also desir-
able that Army personnel be trained in the production of animal vaccines and
bacterines. A veterinary laboratory, directly under the control and direction
of the veterinary division, Surgeon General's Office, was established at
Philadelphia, Pa., in the early part of 1918. This laboratory conducted
investigations relative to bacterial diseases among animals. In addition, it
prepared mallein. As the facilities of the laboratory increased and the skill
and technique of the personnel engaged therein improved, the quantities of
mallein steadily rose. By the end of December, 1918, the laboratory was able
to produce all the mallein required by the Army. The laboratory as a separate
entity wa.-, discontinued at Philadelphia at the end of March, 1920, and
transferred to the Army Medical School, Washington, D. C, where it became
the veterinary section of the laboratory maintained at that school. The
quantities of mallein produced by this laboratory were 54 January 1, 1918, to
December 31, 1918, 43,500 doses; January 1, 1919, to December 31, 1919,
657,665; doses; total for the period, 701,165 doses.

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 655

REFERENCES

(1) Act of June 3, 1916 (39 Stats. 1054).

(2) Letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, August 24, 1916. Subject:

Purchase of veterinary supplies. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 158777-H (Old
Files).

(3) Memorandum of General Gorgas hearing before the House Military Committee,

January 9, 1917. On file, Record Room, S. G. O., 158777-L (Old Files).

(4) Act of June 15, 1917 (40 Stats. 196).

(5) G. O., No. 113, W. D., August 22, 1917.

(6) Memorandum from the Surgeon General, May 5, 1917, regarding veterinary apparatus

and supplies. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. 0., 14700-E.

(7) Letter from Lieut. Col. H. C. Fisher, M. 6., S. G. O., to Mr. Frank Gibbs Ryan,

chairman of the Committee on Pharmaceuticals, Room 953, Munitions Building,
Washington, D. C, April 19, 1917, transmitting list of veterinary supplies for 050,000
for 6 months. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14700-A.

(8) First indorsement, Surgeon General, to the Division Veterinarian, 15th Division, Camp

Logan, Tex., relative to overseas equipment. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
534-127 Logan ^^ Proposed changes in the Manual for the Medical Department,

February 19, 1918, 75 °~ yw • Also: Letter from the Surgeon General to the

officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St. Louis, Mo., November 12, 1918. Sub-

^. . . c ^ ^ 750-714
ject: Field desk No. 1. On file, Finance and Supply Division, 8. U. U.. — ^ ^ ^— -

(9) Letter from the Surgeon General to officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St. Louis,

April, 21, 1917. Subject: Veterinary supplies. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. O., 14700-B.

(10) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St.

Louis, May 21, 1917. Subject: Veterinary supplies. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 14066-14.

(11) Second indorsement, Surgeon General, to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

St. Louis, Mo., June 9, 1917, relative to purchase of veterinary supplies. On file.
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14066-14.

(12) Telegram from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

St. Louis, Mo., June 20, 1917, relative to purchase of veterinary supplies. On file,
Finance and Supply Division. S. G. O., 14066-14 3 .

_ r , _ 533-715

(13) Copy of circular on file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. U., 14

(14) Telegram from the Surgeon General to officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St.

Louis, Mo., June 29, 1917, relative to award of veterinary supplies. On file, Finance
and supply Division, S. G. O., 14066-14 5 .

(15) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St.

Louis, Mo., August 1, 1917. Subject: Supplies. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 14066-14 > 2 .

(16) Correspondence between the Surgeon General and the division veterinarian, Camp

„ _, rt 531-177 Lee
Lee, Va., April, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. <).> - 19Q

(17) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, September 14, 1917. Subject: Horse blankets. On file, Finance and Supply

n _ _ 713-539
Division, S. (j. ()•> — j2a

(18) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, September 24, 1917. Subject: Horse blankets. On file, Finance and Supply

... „ _ n 713-539
Division, n. G. ()., — jog —

656 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(19) First indorsement, medical supply officer, New York, to the Surgeon General, January

23, 1918. Subject: Horse blankets. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-539 N. Y.
128

(20) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St.

Louis, Mo., February 12, 1918. Subject: Procurement schedule, veterinary supplies.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ' _ —

1S2

(21) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St.

Louis, Mo., June, 1917. Subject: Procurement schedule, veterinary supplies. On

fil TO ja l rv • ■ on r. 713-750 W.D.
hie, I inanee and Supply Division, S. G. O., . ™

1N2

(22) Telegram from the Surgeon General to department surgeons, July 1, 1917, relative to

veterinary supplies. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14700-1 (1051).

(23) Telegram from the Surgeon General to department surgeons, July 1, 1917, relative to

veterinary supplies. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14700-1 (1050).

(24) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, July 4, 1917. Subject: Veterinary supplies. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 14700-1.

(25) Letter from the Surgeon General to department surgeons, July 10, 1917. Subject:

Veterinary supplies. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. ()., 14700-1.

(26) Paragranh 9, Cable No. 160, Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, Chaumont,

France, to The Adjutant General, Washington, September 15, 1917, relative to veter-

250
inary supplies. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., „"^ •

(27) Cable from the Surgeon General to Bradley, chief surgeon, U. S. Army, France, Sep-

tember 21, 1917, relative to shipment of veterinary supplies. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., —„ 7 —

(28) First indorsement, Surgeon General, to the surgeon, Base Group and Line of Communi-

cations, A. E. F., September 25, 1917. Subject: Veterinary supplies. On file,

250
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ' . ■

o t —A

(29) Fourth indorsement, medical supply depot, France, to the chief surgeon, Line of Com-

munications, November 7, 1917, relative to veterinary supplies. On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., „ , . .

o7— A

(30) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St.

Louis, Mo., October 26, 1917. Subject: Veterinary supplies for expeditionary forces.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 71 f^r^ ■

(31) First indorsement, Surgeon General, to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St.

Louis, Mo., December 18, 1917, transmitting December automatic replacement.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^ I3 = 707 St . Loius D.

1 bo

(32) First indorsement, Surgeon General, to the officer in charge, Medical Supply depot, St.

Louis, Mo., January 15, 1918, relative to January automatic replacement. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. 0-, 71 ^ 707 ft. Louis D.

loo

(33) Telegram from the medical supply officer, St. Louis, Mo., to the Surgeon General,

December 28, 1917, relative to shipment of veterinary supplies for overseas. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 713 ~ 707 St. Louis D.

163

(34) Telegram from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot,

St. Louis, Mo., December 29, 1917, relative to shipment of veterinary supplies. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 713-707 St. Louis P.

163

DENTAL AND VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 657

(35) Telegram from the medical supply officer St. Louis, to the Surgeon General, November

2, 1917, relative to overseas shipment of veterinary supplies. On file, Finance and

o i tv • • a r< (1 713-707 St. Louis D.
Supply Division, S. G. ()., - .

lOo

(36) Telegram, medical supply officer, St. Louis, Mo., to the Surgeon General, November 22,

1917, relative to veterinary supplies for overseas shipment. On file, Finance and
a . „ . . . _ _, - 713-707 St. Louis D.

blipplv Division, Si. G. O., — tt,

lb3

(37) Par. 7, Cable No. 212, Headquarters, A. E. F., Chaumont, to The Adjutant General,

October 11, 1917, relative to veterinary service. On file, Finance and Supply Divi-
sion, S. G. O., Cables Received Book.

(38) Memorandum from chief, Veterinary Division, S. G. ()., to chief, Finance and Supply

Division, S. G. O., December 12, 1917, relative to equipping veterinary hospitals,

750—594
first phase. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., „,, ' •

(39) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St.

Louis, Mo., January 17, 1918. Subject: Equipment for veterinary hospitals. On

7.50-594
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — „,s

(40) Letters from the Surgeon General to the Quartermaster General and the Chief of Ord-

nance, January 7, 1918, relative to issue of equipment to veterinary hospitals. On

750-594
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., „„ —

(41) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New

York, January 17, 1918. Subject: Supplies for veterinary hospitals. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — „„ —

(42) Letter from the chief, Veterinary Division, S. G. O., to the officer in charge, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., January 29, 1918. Subject: Equipment for

additional veterinarv units to be organized. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

750-714
S. G. O., -j^g- •

(43) Letter from the chief, Veterinary Division, S. G. O., to officer in charge, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., April 17, 1918. Subject: Veterinary units to be organ-
ized at Camp Lee, Va. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ' .,„ •

(44) Letters from the Surgeon General to the Quartermaster General, to the Chief of

Ordnance and to the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, St. Louis, Mo.,
May 13, 1918. Subject: Equipment for veterinary hospitals. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., — r™ —

(45) Letters from chief, Veterinary Division, S. G. O., to the officer in charge, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., June 10, 1915. Subject : Equipment for veterinary units,

750—714
second phase. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ^or —

(46) Memorandum from Capt. Shelby G. Fell, to Maj. R. A. LaGrinder, June 17, 1918.

Subject: Supplies ordered, invoiced and received on veterinary hospitals. On file,

t- jo i ™- • ■ a /- r> 75 0-714

finance and Supply Division, S. (j. U., — ^or —

(47) Sixth indorsement, medical supply depot, Newport News, Va., to the Surgeon General,

July 1, 1918, relative to receipt of equipment for veterinary hospitals. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ^h —
30663—28 42

658 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(48) Memorandum from the medical supply officer, Newport News, Va., to the commanding

officer, Port of Embarkation, Newport News, Va., June 13, 1918, relative to receipt
of supplies for veterinary hospitals. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. 0.,
531-127 Lee
224

(49) Letter from port medical supply officer, Newport News, Va., to the Surgeon General,

September 23, 1918. Subject: Status of veterinary hospitals. On file, Finance and

Q , ^ . . c n n 583-538 N. N.
Supply Division, S. (j. U., =„

(50) First indorsement, Surgeon General, to the commandant, Veterinary Training School,

Camp Lee, Va., November 5, 1918, relative to equipment of Veterinary Hospitals

Nos. 13, 16, 18. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ' qga

(51) Paragraph 5, Cable No. 83(5, Headquarters, A. E. F., Chaumont, to The Adjutant Gen-

eral April 2, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Cables Received
Book.

(52) Letter from the officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., to Maj. W.

T. Fishleigh, S. C, S. G. O., April 3, 1918. Subject: Towing attachment for horse

ambulance. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., yon

(53) Memorandum for Colonel Wolfe from Col. W. Geo. Turner, V. C, August 3, 1926,

relative to veterinary ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
490 Memo.
171-A

(54) Report of officer in charge, veterinary laboratory section, Army Medical School, to the

Surgeon General, June 30, 1920. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
500 Misc .
20

SECTION VIII

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS

CHAPTER XL
NEW YORK MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOT"

At the beginning of the World War, the New York medical supply depot
was located in 543 Greenwich Street, in a six-story and basement, fireproof,
loft-type structure divided longitudinally by a fire wall. It had approximately
65.000 square feet of floor space and was provided with two elevators of freight
type. The first floor was about 3 feet above the street level and provided along
the front with loading platform of the same height for convenience in receiving
and shipping. This floor was used for receiving, shipping, storage, carpenter
shop, and offices for the receiving and shipping clerks. The sixth floor was used
as offices, a display room for samples, an instrument repair shop, and for a limited
amount of storage. One of the other floors was used as a packing and issue
room and was adequately provided with shelving for supplies and counters for
packing and storage. The remainder of the floor was devoted to bulk storage.
On still another floor was installed a complete pharmaceutical chemical labora-
tory for the examination of such supplies as required a chemical analysis.

Early in 1917, in making plans to provide the equipment and supplies
peculiar to the Medical Department, the Surgeon General decided to allocate
to the New York depot the purchase of all those articles appropriate to general
hospital use as distinguished from those required in the field or for veterinary
use. 1 It was further decided to relieve the New York depot of all small requi-
sitions and to confine its issues to the supply of other depots where shipments
could be made in bulk. It was intended to relieve it of all retail work and
and confine its issues to wholesale distribution. 1

When consideration was given these plans at the depot preparatory to put-
ting them into effect, it was apparent that additional storage space and better
warehouse facilities would be immediately required. More commodious office
space and improvements in depot methods to adapt them to the increased
activities became necessary. The great masses of supplies which must be
issued could not he handled at the depot. The bulk of them must be shipped
from manufacturers to issuing depots and ultimate distributing points. Definite
lines of cleavage between medical and dental supplies and equipment must be

• In Chap. II the number and location of the medical supply depots in the United States are given; in this section,
the activities of the New York medical supply depot are recorded as representative of like depots elsewhere. Since the
motor ambulance supply depot at Louisville was the only depot of its kind, its activities also are included.

6 Except as otherwise indicated, the following statements of fact are based on " History of Medical Supply Depot,
U. S. Army, New York, N. Y., during the European War, May 10, 1919, submitted to the Surgeon General by Col.
Frederick W. Hartsock, M. C, in charge." On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. O. P., 713-.539 N. Y.

1230-H

659

660 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

established, and also between the various commodities. Receiving, shipping,
and warehousing space must be increased to handle a volume of supplies the
magnitude of which had never before been contemplated.

Fortunately about this time a building on Morton Street extending from
Washington to Greenwich Street had just been completed and was available
for lease in its entirety. It was a 10-story and basement structure with 120,000
square feet of floor space, and fireproof throughout. It was provided with
ample elevator and sprinkler service and embodied the latest developments in
storage warehousing. After a short delay authority for the lease of this build-
ing was telegraphed to the depot quartermaster, New York, by The Adjutant
General, May 15, 1917, and the offices were moved thereto from 543 Greenwich
Street shortly afterward. The new building was known as 628 Greenwich
Street. A franchise was granted the New York Central Railroad, June 8, 1917,
by the mayor of the city of New York, for the projection of a spur track from
its main lines on West Street extending along Morton Street to Greenwich Street
and in proximity to the new building. This permitted the placing of 6 to 8 cars
at a time in front of the building for loading or unloading. This spur track
greatly facilitated the receiving and shipping of supplies and obviated a vast
amount of trucking which would otherwise have been necessary. Some delay
was experienced in putting this spur into service due to transportation difficul-
ties in securing materials to effect a crossing of the street-car lines on Washington
Street. There were shipping platforms on Morton, Greenwich, and Washington
Street fronts making it possible to load or unload supplies at three sides of the
building at the same time. The, long platform on the Morton Street side gave
ample accommodations for 25 trucks at one time.

In the new medical supply depot the western half of the second and third
floors was set aside for office space. The eastern half of the second and third
floors was set aside for packing rooms. The ground floor was utilized for
receiving and shipping departments, respectively. The Morton Street side of
the floor was used entirely for receiving, and the back section for shipping.

The packing department was divided as follows: On the second floor, half
of the building was set aside for miscellaneous bin stock, including drugs and
all small items of hospital equipment of miscellaneous character. A system of
steel stacks was installed with suitable packing tables and covered this entire
floor. A miscellaneous assortment of proper bin stock was placed in this
section.

An instrument packing section was installed on the anterior half of the
third floor. It was equipped with pressed steel bins, suitable packing counters,
and shelving.

The fifth floor was divided in two parts for packing. The anterior half
was devoted entirely to X-ray packing and the posterior half to dental packing.
Steel bins and steel packing shelves of the most modern type were installed.

The remainder of the building was devoted to warehousing, each floor
carrying separate types of miscellaneous or special articles.

As the production of supplies increased, not only was the building at 628
Greenwich Street filled to its capacity but also that at 543 Greenwich Street.
Relief from the congestion became necessary. Such supplies destined for

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS

661

overseas shipment as could be stored at the embarkation depot of the Medical
Department for this port were sent to Pier 45, North River, at the foot of
Christopher Street. The congestion increasing during the winter months of

Fm. 42.— New York medical supply depot

1917-18, further relief was obtained through the courtesy of the Treasury
Department in the temporary assignment of 100,000 square feet of space in the
Appraisers' Building at Greenwich, Christopher, and Hudson Streets. The

662 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

need for extra storage space again became urgent by the end of April, 1918.
To meet promptly the increasing demands upon the depot it was considered
necessary to maintain maximum and minimum stocks not only for current
needs but also to provide a reserve against emergencies. While overseas
shipments could be made by direct routings of supplies from inanufucturers to
the piers in New York Harbor, a certain amount of supplemental stock in
the depot was always necessary. It was not always possible to so coordinate
the routings as to fully utilize the piers for that purpose. Lack of storage
space was then retarding production. 2

The effort to accpiire this increase in storage space met with vigorous
objection on the part of the director of storage, who held it imperative that no
supplies be sent to New York for domestic distribution; that only by limiting
rail traffic to and from New York to actual necessities would it be possible to
handle overseas shipments with any degree of promptness, and that no space
at any point in New York City would be authorized by his office for supplies
to be shipped into that city for domestic distribution. 3 In view of this objection
the acquisition of additional storage space was held in abeyance for a time and
and'an effort was made to so rearrange shipments of supplies that existing storage
facilities could be made to meet the requirements. It was contemplated that
the New York depot would be used extensively for assembling unit equipment
for base hospitals ordered overseas for duty. Bulky articles such as bedsteads,
mattresses, pillows, and hospital furniture in general would be routed to Pier
45, North River, New York, for temporary storage, either at the Port Newark
Terminal, Newark, N. J., or at the Bush Terminal in Brooklyn, N. Y., pending
their transportation overseas. 4

This procedure did not bring the needed relief. The volume of supplies
handled by the New York medical supply depot continued to increase. The
need for additional space and greater security of storage became daily more
urgent. By July 1, 1918, the main warehouse, at 628 Greenwich Street, had
become largely a combination office building and specialty shipping house.
The great expansion of various departments, such as packing drugs, X-ray and
dental supplies, utilized nearly the entire space in that building. The 543
Greenwich Street building, by that time, had come to be used for reserve
storage, although it was poorly adapted to that purpose because of insufficient
capacity and lack of adequate sprinkler system and elevator service. 5

While it was not the policy of the Medical Department to store an
unnecessarily large amount of equipment in New York City, a considerable
quantity of reserve stock was always necessary at that point. To insure
expedition in shipment and to safeguard against delays in making replacements
for losses by fire, submarines, and other disasters, six weeks' to three months'
replenishments of supplies were required. It was necessary, too, that an
adequate stock be always available in New York to safeguard against delay in
production, freight congestion, and other traffic reasons due to blizzards and
bad weather in winter. To meet these conditions application for increased
space was renewed in July. Authority was granted by the Assistant Secretary
of War, August 12, 1918, for the lease of a nine-story and basement warehouse
on the southeast corner of Greenwich and Leroy Streets. 6 This building was

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 663

of fireproof construction, contained 131,000 square feet of floor space, and was
equipped with adequate sprinkler system, elevator service, and all modern
warehouse conveniences. 5 It was taken over as part of the New York medical
supply depot, August 19, 1918, and by the end of the following January had
been practically filled with medical and hospital supplies. It was used entirely
for bulk storage and was thoroughly accessible for whatever shipping was
necessary when expedition demanded.

PERSONNEL

The personnel at this depot, at the time of the mobilization of the troops
along the Mexican border in 1916 consisted of the officer in charge and one
assistant, both officers of the Medical Corps of the Regular Army, one officer
of the Medical Reserve Corps on active duty as chemist, and 28 civilian employ-
ees in the various grades of clerks, packers, watchmen, messenger, and skilled
and unskilled laborers. 7 During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1917, there
was a slight increase in the civilian employees, chiefly among the laborers.
From that date until the peak was reached in the fall of 1918, the increase in
personnel was rapid.

COMMISSIONED PERSONNEL

It had been the policy of the Surgeon General for a number of years to
utilize this depot for the training of medical officers in supply work. To this
end junior officers were detailed to duty there for definite periods. Unfortu-
nately the strength of the Medical Corps was too small to permit the assign-
ment of more than one assistant to the depot at any one time. Fortunately,
however, the few so trained, together with those who had gained experience at
the other medical supply depots, proved sufficient to fill the key positions in
administration, procurement, and distribution, and to supervise and direct the
work of those less experienced. The number of the commissioned personnel
had risen to 19 when the armistice was signed, of whom 14 were officers of the
Sanitary Corps with rank from second lieutenant to major. Only two of the
19 officers were members of the Regular Army, the officer in charge and his

dental assistant.

CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES

Civilian employees had been secured, for many years, in conformity with
law and regulations through the United States Civil Service Commission.
Laborers, for a shorter period, had been secured under the United States labor
regulations. 8 While this method had never proved entirely satisfactory in
peace-time operation, no material inconvenience resulted from it. It was
permissible, under the regulations, for the officer in charge to select one of the
three highest on the register of eligibles whenever it became necessary to fill a
vacancy among the employees in any position under civil service requirements.
Selections were generally made after a full consideration of the records furnished
by the secretary of the second civil service district and a personal interview
with the eligibles certified.

Under the stress of war conditions the roster of eligibles in the second civil
service district was soon exhausted in the effort to select the needed employees.

664 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The number and classes of applicants being received by the Civil Service
Commission were wholly inadequate to provide personnel for the special needs
of the depot. Importunate requests for clerks, packers, laborers, etc., could
not be met and recourse to other methods became necessary. Employees were
secured wherever they could be had through advertisements in the daily
newspapers and by other means. By agreement with the secretary of the
second civil service district these employees were passed upon by the service
and their appointments confirmed. The depot was enabled, thereby, to obtain
the desired personnel as rapidly as needed.

ENLISTED PERSONNEL

In addition to the civilian employees who could be obtained through the
civil service, it early became evident that specialists would be needed in every
department and that they must be men of business ability, experts in their lines.
Permission was granted by the War Department to utilize for this purpose an
enlisted personnel to be selected by the depot. Plans to this end were made
and carried out. Every department was scheduled for a certain type and
number of young business men. The administrative assistant was detailed by
the officer in charge to visit various large business houses in New York, explain
the depot's need, and request each firm to apportion one or two of its best
young men for enlistment as assistants at the depot. These firms readily
responded to this request, selected employees with requisite qualifications and
sent them to the depot, where they were enlisted and assigned to duties in
accordance with their special qualifications. By this means there was collected,
in a short period of time, a representative force, every man a specialist in
his line.

ORGANIZATION

The organization obtaining at the time of our entrance into the World
War, together with the methods of the depot, had fairly well met the strain of
the hurried procurements of medical and hospital supplies required for the border
mobilization. But even then it was foreseen that a great increase in personnel
and storage space woidd be necessary if the depot were ever confronted with
actual war conditions. The methods, satisfactory for peace conditions, must
undergo extensive revision. The system in vogue was wholly inadequate to
handle a situation so entirely different. Complications of an overseas war, and
the tremendous increase in the volume of business to be handled, demanded a
business system which would operate speedily and accurately, and be capable
of expansion to meet any demand placed upon it. To develop such a system
a number of efficiency experts were called in from various business organizations
to make a study of the needs of a medical supply system and to suggest busi-
ness methods for the expansion of the New York depot. A careful consideration
was given to the best commercial practices and from them were selected such
procedures as would fit into the peculiar type of activities required at the
depot. The experts who studied the depot procedures made their reports and
submitted their conclusions. These reports were then compared and a study
made of their best points. The procedures considered most suitable for the

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS

665

peculiar type of business handled by the depot were then extracted and utilized
in the development of depot organization and operation . Continued efforts were
made to create an organization along the most efficient modern business lines.
The plan of administration of the depot was designed to coordinate the functions
of warehousing and shipping, procurement and finance, and the general clerical
staff into a harmonious whole; to act in liaison with the central agency of supply
in the Surgeon General's Office; to maintain contact with the local embarkation
agencies for overseas shipments; and to keep in touch with the various methods
and plans of the War Department. The general plan of organization of the
depot as it finally worked out is shown below. 9

Final Organization

ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT

1. Personnel.

o. Military.
b. Civilian.

2. Stenographic section.

3. Mail section.

a. Incoming mail.

b. Outgoing mail.

c. Central files.

4. Methods control section.

5. Plant protection section.

6. Utilities section.

7. Messengers.

PURCHASING DEPARTMENT

1. Contracts.

2. Purchase orders.

3. General filing section.

rilODIICTION DEPARTMENT

1. Production records section.

2. Priorities and raw materials section.

3. Direct routing section.

INSPECTION DEPARTMENT

1. Specifications section.

2. Factory inspections section.

3. Warehouse inspections section.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

1. Accounts section,
a. Contracts.

1. Accounts section — Continued.

b. Purchase orders.

c. Pay rolls.

2. Disbursing section.

REQUISITION DEPARTMENT

1. Editing section.

2. Billing section.

3. Service section.

4. Stock records section.

5. Panama Canal section.

WAREHOUSING DEPARTMENT

1. Receiving section.

2. Warehousing section.

3. Packing section.

a. General hospital supplies.

b. Surgical instruments.

c. X-ray apparatus and supplies.

d. Dental equipment and supplies.

4. Shipping section.

a. Domestic shipments.

b. Overseas shipments.

5. Traffic section.

a. Rail.

b. Motor transport.

6. Property section.

7. Box making and printing section.

SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS

1. Dental.

2. Surgical instruments.

3. X rav.

ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT

The principal administrative office was under the immediate direction of
the officer in charge. In this duty he was assisted by an executive officer, who
had charge of routine matters, such as plant protections, administration of per-
sonnel, both enlisted and civilian, and the policies of the depot and their rela-
tions to outside activities. In this duty was involved the maintenance of

666 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

morale, the conduct of business negotiations with port authorities, the city of
New York, and outside commercial interests. The position required not only
tact and personality but a thorough knowledge of local conditions in New York,
general as well as business. Upon the efficient handling of these duties by the
executive officers depended the smoothness and dispatch of the general opera-
tion of the depot. For a considerable part of the time the officer in charge
conducted personally many of the negotiations for the purchase of supplies. 8

PERSONNEL SECTION

This section kept records, prepared rolls, rendered required reports, and in
general administered the affairs of the depot personnel. As the depot affairs
increased it became necessary to divide the section into two subsections, one
for enlisted personnel and the other for civilian employees. 9

Enlisted Personnel

This subsection corresponded in a general way to a company office. It
kept the service and clothing records and pay cards of the enlisted personnel
of the Medical Department assigned to the depot. It prepared the pay rolls,
morning reports, sick reports, change of status reports, returns of personnel for
the Surgeon General's Office, etc. It arranged for drills, musters, and such
technical training as was considered necessary. It assigned personnel to the
several departments of the depot in conformity with instructions previously
received from the executive officer. It also looked after the general welfare of
the detachment and performed such other duties as were assigned to it. 9

Civilian Employees

The duties of this subsection were limited to the civilian employees on
duty at the depot. It maintained a close and effective liaison with the office
of the secretary of the second civil service district of New York. It looked
more or less extensively after the welfare of the employees while on duty, and
kept a check on their efficiency and the manner of performing their respective
duties. It prepared the monthly pay rolls and the reports of the civil service
employees required by the Surgeon General. It had general charge of the rest
room and emergency aid. It prepared requests to the local civil service author-
ities for additional personnel and for changes in classifications. It had also the
duty of procuring personnel from outside sources whenever the civil service
rosters failed, and of arranging for their rating and assignment to the depot by
that service. 9

MAIL AND FILE SECTION

The method of handling and filing mail varied somewhat at different
periods in the depot history. During the early months of 1917 the methods
observed were those which had been in effect in the preceding period. As the
volume of correspondence increased, the method of filing changed. The War
Department system of filing according to classified subjects was installed in
the early part of 1918. 10

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 667

For a considerable part of the war period all correspondence was placed
in the main files. As a number of departments in the depot and the complexity
of the work increased, each department was permitted to maintain a file of its
own. This file related only to matters handled by the particular department.
In it were placed copies of the correspondence originating i . or relating to the
department. The original correspondence continued to be placed in the main
files. Variations of the method were observed with regard to contracts, purchase
orders, and requisitions. All correspondence relating to a given contract, pur-
chase order, or requisition was attached to and filed with the contract, purchase
order, or requisition to which it referred. Under this method full information
of all action taken regarding any contract, purchase order, or requisition was
immediately available upon reference to that contract, order, or requisition. 10

Special files were maintained for correspondence dealing wholly with depot
personnel, whether civilian or military.

Letters of a confidential nature were kept in another file securely locked
to prevent their unauthorized use. 10

METHODS CONTROL SECTION

This section was the center of control and operations. It was under an
officer designated as methods control officer. It operated entirely apart from
any of the other branches of the depot and was under the direct orders of the
officer in charge. It was in close touch with the many interlocking branches
of the depot. The selection of personnel from the numerous appointees be-
came a study of individual capabilities. Each section of the depot was placed
under the charge of an individual more or less familiar with the particular
duties of the section in the depot plan. It took but a short time to complete
the organization, but it required months of experience and training to get the
machinery into smooth operation. It was necessary at times to rearrange the
personnel, to eliminate the incapable in order to effect a smoothly working
business organization. 9

The functions of the methods control section were to keep the business of
the depot running smoothly. To accomplish this a daily review of each depart-
ment was made to determine whether it functioned properly and in full coopera-
tion with other departments. The methods control officer was authorized to
effect any change, in a minor way, found necessary to accomplish that result.
It was his special duty to know daily whether any department was falling be-
hind in the accomplishments of its missions and how it cooperated with the
other departments. Changes were made as they became necessary to readjust
the phases of the organization and to care for the increasing business. There
was close liaison and cooperation between the control section and all depart-
ments of the depot. 9

PLANT PROTECTION SECTION

Soon after the declaration of war the depot was expanded by the lease of
the building on Morton Street. That building was made the center of opera-
tions, being fireproof and having a modern sprinkler system. It was made the
warehouse center for materials which in case of damage by fire could not readily

668 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

be replaced. The depot offices were early transferred to that building. The
question of plant protection arose almost as soon as the Morton Street building
had been leased. The dangers which might arise during war from sabotage,
foreign spies, and international interference were visualized. To overcome them
the assistance of numerous governmental agencies already existing was sought.
The Department of Justice, in connection with the United States Secret Service,
was requested to furnish agents for assignment to duty in the depot on plant
protection. A number of operatives were assigned for this work. The chief
operative had charge of the checking system on employees. The Western Elec-
tric method of photographing and furnishing cards to all depot personnel was
put in force. Confidential agents were distributed in all parts of the depot.
The chief agent was designated superintendent of labor, and had under him a
number of watchmen whose duties were similar to those of watchmen in business
concerns. In addition to their ordinary duties the watchmen were required to
maintain a careful check on the sprinkler system and the engineering facilities of
the plant. 9

A detachment of soldiers in uniform, fully armed and under a special officer,
was maintained both as inside and outside guard. This detachment maintained
patrols in the adjacent vicinity for additional security. A house-to-house
inspection was made by Government agents of all the buildings in the immedi-
ate vicinitj r of the warehouses. In this search two definite foreign agents were
apprehended and interned at Fort Oglethorpe for the remainder of the war.
The Military Intelligence Department provided a number of operatives whose
business it was to prevent fraud, theft, and irregular business methods in con-
nection with outside agencies. The buildings were provided with automatic
alarms and a fire-control system connected with the American District Tele-
graph. The windows on the side of the street adjacent to the elevated railway
were protected by metal shutters to prevent bombs and incendiary material
being thrown into the building from the railway trains. As a result of the
measures taken only one fire occurred, and in that instance the alarm was
given so promptly by the mechanical devices installed in the building that the
fire was extinguished without material loss. 9

UTILITIES SECTION

The utilities section had general charge of the janitor service in the various
warehouses, of the sprinkling system, and of the maintenance of heating, elec-
tric light, telephone, and fire-alarm systems. This section was immediately
under the superintendent of labor. It had as one subsection a carpenter shop
and as another a box-making department and labeling machine. The utilities
section also maintained a cold-storage plant for the preservation of serums and
other biologicals and a vault for the safe storage of narcotics and alcoholics.
The vault for narcotics was under the charge of the superintendent of labor
personally. He was the only person permitted to carry the keys and was
responsible for their safe-keeping. Issues from this vault were made only on
requisition slip from the packing department and were handled by a specially
designated packer. 9

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 669

MESSENGERS

A force of messengers of varying size was maintained primarily under the
jurisdiction of the executive officer. They acted as inside and outside
messengers in the handling of mail and in a general messenger service.

PURCHASING DEPARTMENT

In the reorganization of the depot, in the early part of 1917, following the
declaration of war, the purchase section of the peace-time administrative division
became the purchasing department. It was known by that title until January,
1919, when the depot was consolidated with other supply agents in New York
into a single organization under the direction of the zone supply officer. It
was rapidly expanded to handle the vast quantities of supplies being purchased.
It developed in conformity with prevailing commercial practice. The depart-
ment was divided into sections along commodity lines. The sections, as a rule,
handled two or more allied commodity groups. It had as its chief an officer of
the Sanitary Corps selected for his special qualifications as a purchasing agent
in civil life. He was assisted by commissioned, enlisted, and civilian personnel
in such numbers as the needs of the work required. This personnel was assigned
to duties in accordance with individual qualifications and training. As a result
the organization developed rapidly in efficiency. 11

The department was very closely associated with the inspection department,
the warehousing department, the finance department, the property records depart-
ment, and the production department. Its closest associates were the inspec-
tion and production departments, the development of which was practically
simultaneous with that of the purchasing department and covered the same
geographical territory. At first they functioned as sections of the purchasing
department, but as the volume of purchases increased and the demands for
supplies became more acute they were organized into separate departments. 11

Each commodity section had a chief, selected because of his familiarity
with the particular commodity in civil life. These chiefs of sections were
obtained from representative business organizations in the city and were
inducted into service for the particular duties to which they were assigned.
They were familiar not only with the commodity as such, but also with the
sources of supply of raw materials which entered into it and the manufacturer
who produced the commodity. Each section was provided with adequate
personnel, enlisted and civilian. The enlisted personnel were also selected
from local commercial houses for their technical qualifications in the procure-
ment of supplies. The civilian employees furnished for the most part the
clerical and stenographic assistance. The purchasing and the procurement
activities of these sections reached their height about the end of March, 1918;
thereafter both gradually diminished as the activities of the general purchasing
office, Medical Department, in Washington, increased and as centralization of
procurement through interbureau requisitions developed."

A complete list of manufacturers and large suppliers of all articles to be
purchased was kept in this department. Whenever purchases were to be made,
circulars of advertisement solicting bids on the articles required were sent to

670 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

such firms on the list as manufactured the articles desired. With very few
exceptions all purchases in large quantities were made direct from the manu-
facturers rather from wholesalers or jobbers. If the quantities were small, the
articles actually in stock and the prices reasonable, orders were placed wherever
the article could be obtained to advantage. When time permitted, circulars of
advertisement were issued by commodity groups and sent only to the manu-
facturers of those groups. If the time were limited and the demand urgent, a
general circular covering all the articles required and including a number of
different commodity groups was issued. Copies of this circular were sent to
all the manufacturers of the commodity groups involved in the circular. Each
manufacturer bid on the articles he could produce. As the bids were received
at the depot they were kept unopened in a secure container until the day for
the opening arrived. The circular always contained an invitation to the bidders
to be present, either in person or by representative, at the formal opening.
Many of the bidders availed themselves of the opportunity and were present.
On the day and at the hour set for the opening the bids were formally opened
and were read in the presence of the purchasing officer and such bidders as
were present. Abstracts were prepared as the bids were read. Samples were
requested when considered necessary in making the award. After all factors
had been considered awards were made and contracts prepared. The quantities
to be purchased were often much larger than a single manufacturer could pro-
duce within the limited time available. Awards were accordingly divided
among the bidders in conformity with their production ability. The lowest
bidder was given all he cculd produce and an effort was made to secure the
article from the other bidders at the same price. In some articles, such as
mattresses, the combined output of all the manufacturers hardly sufficed to meet
the requirements. Awards were usually made on the basis of the quantities
promised within 60 or 90 days. Contracts were written and, after signature
by the contractor and contracting officer, were sent to the Surgeon General
for approval. A sufficient number of copies of the contracts were prepared to
furnish the required information to the several interested departments of the
depot. Statutory requirements for the filing of a copy of every contract with
the returns office, Department of the Interior, were duly observed. 11

A copy of every approved contract was kept on file in the purchasing
department and numbered serially as issued. Prior to 1917 no system of
numbering contracts had been used; contracts were identified by the date and
the name of the contract. A system of numbering contracts serially was started
July 15, 1917, beginning with number 100. The series was continued in direct
numerical sequence until December 31, 1917, when the number 1885 was
reached. Beginning January 1, 1918, a new series was started with the number
2,000. This series continued until the close of the war. No special classifying
symbol or letter other than the contract number was used. The contracts
approved in the office of the Surgeon General bore an additional number given
them by that office. The number given in the Surgeon General's Office followed
one general series for all the depots from 1 upward, beginning June 15, 1917."

Not all purchases were made by contracts. Under statutory authorization
the purchases of $500 or less could be made in the open market without

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 671

advertising. These purchases were made on purchase orders. If immediate
deliveries could be made, the amount of the purchase on purchase orders often
exceeded the $500 limit. Purchase orders had been in use in the same form
for many years and had been numbered consecutively in one series during that
time. The number of that series had reached No. 24000 when war purchases
began. It was discontinued July 23, 1917; the final number in the series being
26700. The following day a new series was started beginning with No. 1.
This series continued in use until the end of 1918. The numbers in the series
had exceeded 18,000 by the end of June, 1918. Purchase orders did not require
approval by the Surgeon General's Office and consequently were not numbered
therein. 12

After each contract had been written, a card index was prepared showing
the name of the manufacturer, the date of the contract, the articles being
purchased, the price paid, and the promised rate of delivery. Another index
was also prepared showing the same data for the individual article. From the
one card could be readily obtained the information concerning the contractor
and his deliveries; from the other file could be obtained at a glance all data
relative to any war article. 11

PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT

The purchase section of the administrative division of the peace organization
of the depot had a subsection known as records and follow up. The duties of
this section were to maintain contact with the firms with whom contracts had
been placed, to follow production, and expedite deliveries. In the peace
organization these duties had been comparatively simple. When the increased
purchases extended to the Mexican border mobilization in 1916 the duties of
this subsection were considerably expanded. In those purchases a great
many shipments were made direct from the manufacturers to their ultimate
destination. This subsection then took on the added function of keeping in
contact with the contractors and followed deliveries until the articles ordered
from them had been delivered to the transportation agency. It became
necessary to expand it still further after the purchases of war requirements
began. The subsection was accordingly expanded and became the production
department. It was placed under an officer of the Sanitary Corps with exten-
sive experience in factory organization and production work.

The organization of the production department followed in general that of
the purchasing department. The energies of the department were directed:
First, to a record follow up of the state of production of every article and
order; 9 second, assisting manufacturers in procuring needed raw materials
through the Priorities Board in Washington; third, rendering such assistance.
It made suggestions and gave technical advice with reference to the best method
of production for the expedition and delivery of the fabricated materials.
The department kept exact records of all contracts, where they were placed,
the state of production, shipment, and deliveries. The records were so arranged
and kept that information was available at all times concerning the status of
production. It cooperated with the Priorities Board in a special effort to obtain

672 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

the best special priority on materials and their prompt delivery. The urgency
of war demands often required a higher priority rating on some of the materials
than was possible for the expedition of manufacture. Shortage of materials
often involved a study on substitution. It was often necessary to change the
original specifications for equipment by reason of these substitutions and
because other materials were more readily available. 9

The production department in conjunction with the inspection department
was continually on the lookout for new sources of supply and for new facilities
which could be converted to the manufacture of articles required by the Medical
Department in which the standard sources of supply proved inadequate. 9

INSPECTION DEPARTMENT

War conditions which wrought such changes in the procurement of sup-
plies required equally marked changes in the routine inspection of supplies.
The vast quantities to be purchased and the inability from lack of time and
space to handle all supplies through the depot made it necessary to transfer
the point of inspection from the place of receipt of the supplies to the place of
their manufacture. This revolutionized the entire procedure. The demand
for supplies was urgent and incessant and the need for prompt inspection
became imperative. Payment for supplies delivered waited upon acceptance.
Acceptance, in turn, had to wait on inspection to determine whether deliveries
conformed to contract requirements. Acceptance had also to precede the
issue of the articles. The prompt placing of supplies in use was dependent in
no small measure upon the facility and speed of the inspection. Acceptance
without inspection was not a wise procedure and would have established
dangerous precedents.

Prior to the war none of the depot employees had been trained in the
technique of inspection of supplies. Other provisions for the inspection of the
supplies to be purchased became neccessary. Fortunately for the Medical
Department and for the New York medical supply depot in particular, other
means were provided. The services of expert merchandise appraisers of the
United States customs service had been tendered to the War Department for
the inspection of supplies and had been placed at the disposal of the depot.
This obviated any need to organize a corps of inspectors employed directly by
the depot. The original agreement with the appraisers' force contemplated
that one of the deputy appraisers would establish an office in the depot from
which to handle and direct all inspection service rendered by the appraisers'
personnel. 13 This official was to have been the immediate point of contact
between the two services.

The progress of procurement soon demonstrated the need of a department
within the depot to handle all details relative to the inspection of supplies. In
the first few months after the declaration of war the personnel of this
department consisted, in addition to those in the medical laboratory, of one
officer and two or three enlisted men. 14 Its duties were limited to the
examination of such supplies and samples as were received at the depot.
As the volume of deliveTies and direct shipments increased there was added to
its duty of depot inspection the supervision and coordination of field

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 673

inspection. During the year 1917 this department was concerned only with
the inspection of supplies purchased by the depot of which it was a part.
It later became the clearing house for inspections made by the appraisers for
the other purchasing agents of the Medical Department, both at Washington,
D. C, and at St. Louis, Mo. 14

The department had practically reached the height of its activities in the
fall of 1918, when it handled nearly all field inspections of the Medical Depart-
ment. It was organized along establishing commodity lines and was similar
to that of the purchasing department, with which it cooperated very closelv.
As finally developed the inspection department had the following divisions:
Main division, laboratory division, instrument division, appraisers division.
The department was under the charge of an officer of the Medical Reserve
Corps assisted by such number of officers of the Sanitary Corps, enlisted
personnel of the Medical Department, and civilian employees as were necessary.
The number of personnel fluctuated from time to time, but reached its maximum
in the autumn of 1918. 14

MAIN DIVISION

This division was in charge of a commissioned officer and had a personnel
of approximately 30. It was divided into nine branches: Textiles, leather and
rubber, hardware, hospital supplies, drugs and medical supplies, instruments
and surgical supplies, medical and surgical appliances, packing, miscellaneous.

The personnel of this division were selected for their special qualifications
and technical knowledge of the lines to which they gave their time. Several
of them were graduates of technical colleges; others were successful business
men. Every man was assigned to the particular duties which, by training and
experience, he was best qualified to perform. The business men handled the
same commodities they had handled in private life. 14

After the department had been completely organized, the bulk of all inspec-
tions was made at the plant where they were manufactured. Every manufacturer
when accepting a contract was informed that inspection and acceptance of the
supplies by the inspection department would be required before shipment. As
supplies were completed and became available for shipment the manufacturers
informed the department of the quantities ready for inspection. An inspector
then visited the plant, inspected the supplies, and made his report to the depot.
If the report were satisfactory the supplies were released for shipment and the
consignee was notified. The consignee, if other than the New York depot,
notified the inspection department upon receipt of the shipment, and the
supplies, if they had been already inspected and accepted, were released to him
at once. If a chemical examination were necessary to acceptance, samples
taken at random from the lot were sent to the inspection department and the
supplies held until notice of acceptance had been received. These measures
were taken to prevent shipment being made without the knowledge of the
depot or without an examination to determine whether the quality of the article
shipped conformed to the stipulations of the contract. As a rule all packages
in which the supplies were examined by the inspector were marked by him,
30663—28 43

674 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

"Inspected and passed." This was required before a shipment could be made
unless delivery was to be inspected at destination. This service of inspection
was extended ultimately to every factory from which the Medical Department
purchased its supplies. 14

Many of the articles purchased required technical examination. Occasion-
ally this could be made at the factory, but as a rule it was necessary to send a
suitable number of samples to the depot for examination, either in its own
laboratory or in that of the United States appraisers, where the requisite
facilities for such examinations were available. Inspections by standard sample
could not, of course, be made in the field, especially where the article was being
produced at the same time by a number of different factories. It became
necessary therefore, to develop standard specifications by which articles could
be purchased and to which deliveries must conform. The inspection depart-
ment, largely through the cooperation of the appraisers division, compiled these
specifications as rapidly as possible. Manufacturers were consulted in the
preparation of specifications and very generally cooperated with the depot in
their preparation and in deliveries of supplies purchased under them. 14

As the volume of supplies required by the Medical Department increased,
new sources of supply became necessary. In developing new sources of supply,
factory inspections to determine facilities, capacity, and suitability of the plants
were frequently necessary. Such inspections were made generally by the
appraisers division, but often by personnel from the main division. These
inspections served a very useful purpose in placing contracts. Generally the
inspector working in that vicinity inspected the particular articles for which
the new facility was required. 14

MEDICAL LABORATORY DIVISION

This division was the normal development of the section of the same
name during peace-time administration. The same officer remained in charge
of it during the war who had been in charge prior to 1917. The peace-time
personnel of this division had consisted, beside the officer in immediate charge,
of a civilian assistant chemist and a laboratory attendant. The assistant
chemist, having received a commission in another branch of the Army, left the
depot at an early date and was replaced by an officer of the Sanitary Corps,
who remained on that duty until mustered out in the general demobilization
of the emergency forces.

The great increase in the quantities of articles purchased which required
a chemical examination likewise greatly increased the work of this division.
The initial personnel was augmented from time to time, but for a number of
months the increase was not as rapid as the increase in the volume of work
required. Delays in reporting upon samples increased and were often aggra-
vating. The question of utilizing the services of the chemists of the customs
service as an auxiliary to the laboratory division was at one time considered
with a view of having the examinations made in various parts of the United
States by chemists located near the point of manufacture. The examination
of pharmaceuticals, however, required qualifications not possessed by the
average analytical chemist. The plan was discarded in favor of expanding

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 675

existing Medical Department laboratories and increasing the number of chemists.
It was expedient that the knowledge of the chiefs of these laboratories in exam-
ination of pharmaceuticals, gained by years of practical experience, be utilized
in the supervision of the work. Without pharmaceutical training the average
analytical chemist was unable to render an intelligent report on the examination
of medicines, tablets, ointments, and the like. The chiefs of the laboratories
supervised and directed the work of less experienced pharmaceutical chemists
and thereby secured very satisfactory results. Steps were taken to increase
the force at these laboratories. Personnel with training as analytical and
pharmaceutical chemists were selected from the draft and assigned to the
laboratory division in June, 1918. From those so assigned the most suitable
were selected for the laboratory service. The numbers so obtained were ample.
When the armistice was signed the force in the medical laboratory division
consisted of two officers, six enlisted chemists, a laboratory assistant for the
care of the laboratory utensils, and as many civilian attendants and stenogra-
phers as were necessary. 15

The work of the medical laboratory division, while greatly augmented in
volume, followed very closely the routine of pre-war days. Samples of articles
to be examined were received through the main division of the inspection
department from deliveries as they came in. The required examinations were
made in the laboratory and the results were recorded on a suitable report form.
The original of this form went to the main division for appropriate action. A
duplicate copy was retained in the files of the laboratory for reference. Due
to shortages in the supply of certain raw materials essential to the manufacture
of pharmaceuticals and to manufacturing difficulties, the custom grew up of
requiring samples to be furnished by the manufacturer prior to shipment and
in many cases prior to the contract. These samples were examined to determine
whether they conformed to contract stipulations. The analysis of the samples
taken from deliveries was checked against that of the original samples. 16 This
procedure increased the work of the laboratory division, but was considered
necessary to insure the delivery of articles of the quality required.

APPRAISERS DIVISION

It should be noted that the three divisions already mentioned functioned
wholly within the depot. The appraisers division functioned almost wholly
without the depot. A few expert examiners assisted with the inspection of
surgical and dental instruments in the depot. The appraisers division was
under the charge of a deputy appraiser who had an office in the appraisers
stores, a building just across the street from the depot. The personnel of
this division was divided into three groups, A, B, and C.

Group A handled principally articles made of metal, wood, and the like.
It had the following divisions: Surgical instruments and dental instruments;
sterilizers, disinfectors, operating-room equipment ; enamel ware, galvanized-
iron ware, copper utensils, syringes, hospital beds, bed screens, instrument
boilers; kerosene stoves, flash lights, and tin containers; clocks, mirrors; the
components of Carrel-Dakin apparatus; X-ray apparatus.

676 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Group B was in charge of textiles: Mattresses, pillows, towels, bandages,
absorbent cotton and sheets; clothing; bias bandages; blankets; oilcloth;
paper; general inspections.

Group C was given laboratory inspections, including clinical thermometers;
balances; foodstuff; sutures; brushes, sponges, chemical glassware; rubber
goods, scientific apparatus; glassware and leather products.

The personnel assigned to the inspection of the different articles had had
special training in the examination of the articles assigned to them. On
October 24, 1918, there were, including the chiefs of the groups, 37 examiners
devoting their whole time to the inspection of supplies for the Medical
Department, while 30 others gave part time. I7

The laboratory of the appraisers warehouse not only was equipped for
chemical analysis but was provided with a great variety of apparatus for tech-
nical examination of articles which were not ordinarily subject to chemical
analysis. The laboratory was equipped for making tests of tensile strength,
the ductility and other qualities of textiles, metals, leather, and various other
materials. 14

The appraisers division was the agency through which the inspection
department maintained contact with the examiners in the field. The deputy
appraiser in charge was able, through authority granted by the Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury, to arrange with the appraisers in other parts of the
United States to make needed inspections at points outside of the zone
ordinarily handled by the appraiser of the port of New York.

The inspector reported not only upon the articles which the manufacturer
had ready for shipment at the time of the inspection, but also upon plant
facilities, labor conditions, sanitary conditions of the factory, and any other
factor which was considered by the inspection department of importance to
production. Forms and reports were devised having printed headings so that
it was possible for an inspector to render his report with a minimum of clerical
work. 18 The required data were entered as indicated by the heading on these
reports. Samples of these forms appear below. Various forms were used for
specific purposes but all were developments from, or modifications of, those
quoted below.

Inspection Department, Medical Department, United States of America

Date of report O^ (££">

Contractor Manufacturer

Contractor's address

Article

Contract!

Order ft"™™?-

Previously reported accepted

Accepted under this report

Total accepted

Quantity rejected at this inspection and reason for rejection.

Inspector's report based on inspection of .pieces

Construction and material as specified, except as noted

[Name of inspector]

ACTIVITIES OF DISTKIBTJTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 677

United States Appraiser, port of

Packed in how many containers

Containers numbered

Shipped to

Note. — Inspectors will show contents, gross weight, and measurement of each case
separately below.

Inspection Department, Medical Depot, United States Army

To Collectors and Appraising Officers:

Upon receipt of a contract from the C. V. R. Bureau, an inspector from your office should
immediately visit the plant of the contractor, ascertain the following facts, and report at
once to the C. V. R. Bureau:

Contract No Date Contractor

State whether contractor is agent for, owner of , or buyer from factory

Factory, name

Factory, location Street City State

Articles

Employees: Total Male Female Alien

Number of employees on Medical Department contracts On other Government

contracts

1. Number of looms or machines in factory: Total Number on Government

contracts

2. Can unemployed machines or looms be used on Medical Department contracts?

3. Total estimated output of specified articles per week with the present equipment
and force

4. Sanitarv conditions of factorv

5. Coal sufficient for what period of time?

6. Are goods being manufactured for Medical Department under subcontract?.

7. Are goods being manufactured for Medical Department by subletting?

8. State kind and quantity of material necessary to complete contract

8 a. State quantity and kind of stock on hand

8b. State whether balance of material necessary to complete contract is ordered, and
whether deliveries are promised to insure prompt delivery

8c. Is manufacturer unable to secure materials to meet his requirements under eon-
tract? If so, give names from whom to be procured, quantity and kind of material, dates
ordered, and when needed

9. Is the plant equipped to produce articles in accordance with contract terms?

10. What dates have you arranged for inspection at certain fixed periods of time?

11. What physical or chemical tests are employed by the manufacturer?

11a. Give construction specifications, formula, furnish blue print, photo, or cut, with
dimensions, and if practicable forward samples with report

12. If the preliminary examination of the capacity and material of the plant leads to
a conclusion that the contractor is unable to meet the contract demands, give facts below

678 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

in detail in order that medical supply officer may be advised at the earliest moment.

(This report should be made in triplicate on this form and furnished to this office
promptly.)

Respectfully,

Inspector , Port of

Date of inspection

Approved:

Note. — An explicit answer to question 11a and the furnishing of samples when practi-
cable is absolutely necessary so that this bureau can prepare a comprehensive inspection
report. All questions on this form must be answered, or reason given for not replying.

Form No. :s«

Specifications for Linen Dish Towels

Inspection Report No. U. S. Appraiser

Port of

Inspection by
U. S. Appraiser

Size— 17" x 30" finished

Weight. — 3% ounces each

Thread count. — To be not less than 22 threads to the inch in warp. 19 threads to the

inch in filling

Yards. — Warp, not less than 9 nor more than 10 lea gray flax noil yarn; filling, not

less than 9 nor more than 10 lea gray flax noil yarn

Hemming. — Two fold, }/i" wide

Hanger. — Cotton tape J4" wide, loop 1"

This report is based upon the inspection of taken from a delivery of packages

, numbered , inspected at , date ,

manufactured for , Contract No , date . ,

to be shipped to

Delivery accepted — rejected. If rejected give reasons on reverse side.

Appro ved :

[Inspector.]
U. S. Appraiser, Port of

df;liverif:s

Date of report

Contract No date Contractor Article

Manufacturer Contracted to deliver to date

Actually delivered inclusive of shipment inspected

Reasons for nonfullfillmcnt of requirements of contracts as to deliveries

(On reverse side of this space)
REPORT OF FACTORY CONDITIONS

Contract No date contractor

Article (Also state whether agent or owner of or buyer from factory)

Employees: Total ; male ; female ; alien

Employees: employed on Medical Depot contracts or other Government

contracts

1. No. of looms or machines in factory; total Employed on Government

contracts

2. Can unemployed looms or machines be used on Medical Depot contracts

3. Sanitary conditions of factory

4. What percentage of material necessary to complete contract on hand

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 679

5. Coal sufficient for what period of time

6. If deliveries are delayed because of lack of material or coal, give facts and names
and addresses from whom ordered

7. Are any goods being manufactured for Medical Depot under subcontract

8. Are any goods being manufactured for Medical Depot by subletting contract

(Use reverse side of this space for necessary remarks.)
Form No. 384.

Inspection Department, Medical Supply Depot

Report No. Inspection date at

U. S. Appraiser port of Boston.

Contractor, BOTTOM TORRENCE CO., BENNINGTON, VT. Manufacturer, ditto.

Contract date, April 8, 1918. Contract No. G. P. O. 69.

Specifications for cotton pillow cases: Report of Inspector. —

Material. — 36" Bid. cotton sheeting

Thread count. — Warp, 68; filling, 56

Weight. — 4.93 yards to pounds (basis, 36")

Dimensions.— 36" x 38" cloth size; (18^x32") finished size

Stitching. — 16 stitches to inch

Hemming. — 2" at opening end

Sewing thread. — Good quality cotton

Total amount of contract. — 19, 500 dozen

Packing. — Wooden cases, 100 dozen to case

Delivery: Beginning June 1, 25 per cent monthly

Inspector's report. — Based on inspection of pieces.

Construction and material as specified, except as noted

Containers numbered Shipped to

Accepted or rejected.

[Inspector.]

Approved :

U. S. appraiser, port of

deliveries

Date of report Contract date No.

Contractor Article

Manufacturer

Total contract quantity

Contracted to deliver to date

Actually delivered inclusive of shipment inspected

Reasons for nonfulfillment of contract terms of delivery

REPORT OF FACTORY CONDITIONS

Contract No Date Contractor

Manufacturer (agent, owner of, or buyer from factory).

Article

Employees: Total ; Male ; Female ; alien

Number of employees on medical depot contracts ; or other Government

contracts

1. Number of looms or machines in factory: Total ; Number on Government

contracts

2. Can unemployed machines or looms be used on medical depot contracts?

3. Sanitary conditions of factory

4. What percentage of material necessary to complete contracts on hand

680 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

5. Coal sufficient for what period of time

6. If deliveries are delayed because of lack of material or coal give facts and names and
addresses from whom ordered

7. Are any goods being manufactured for medical depot under subcontract

8. Are any goods being manufactured for medical depot by subletting contract

(Use reverse side of this space for necessary remarks. )

The inspection department was organized and its work carried on in such
a manner as to cooperate most closely with the other departments of the depot
to facilitate the delivery of supplies. It suggested the wording of specific
contracts to insure that the desired type of the article would be purchased and
that the packing requirements would be properly stated. It furnished the
production department complete information concerning the plants from which
supplies were being purchased and whether contractors would or would not be
able to make shipment on the dates specified in their contract. If delays in
production occurred, the inspection department investigated them, through its
field inspectors, to determine the cause and to effect a remedy. It furnished the
production department in New York and Washington reports on labor organi-
zations, types of employees, materials on hand, and other details relating to
Medical Department contracts. The information in these reports was obtained
at first hand by investigations made at the plants of the manufacturers. 14

The chief of the inspection department was made a member of the pur-
chasing board or board of contract awards during the latter months of the war.
Under the system adopted for the purchase of supplies, many articles were sent
to the experts in the appraisers office for examination before purchase was
made, in order that the best articles, and those most advantageous to the
Medical Department, from a financial standpoint, might be selected. Specifi-
cations were modified and new specifications prepared whenever it was found
necessary to meet the requirements of existing conditions. 14

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

In the reorganization of the depot to meet war conditions the finance
section became the finance department. Within a few months it had expanded
from a single individual to an organization of more than 100; from handling a
few hundreds of vouchers per month to handling several thousands of vouchers
per week; from disbursements of approximately $100,000 per month to dis-
bursements running into millions of dollars per month. The expansion occured
under trying conditions. Qualified personnel were difficult to secure and time
was essential for their proper training in the Government methods of finance
and accounting. The depot was fortunate in securing the assistance of a
local banking expert who took charge of the finance department. His technical
training in civil fiscal matters proved to be of great value in handling the
finances of the depot. Assistants were provided and trained to perform the
technicalities of disbursements. 9

The duties of the finance department were the same as those of its pre-
decessor, the finance section. They were governed necessarily by statutory
requirements. The new condition which had arisen called for various mod-
ifications of peace-time procedures and routine methods. Changes were

ACTIVITIES OF DISTKIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 681

necessary to insure accuracy and efficiency. Disbursements rose steadily and
reached their maximum of $5,250,000 during the month of April. They
declined steadily thereafter to December, 1918, when approximately $2,250,000
were disbursed. 18

During peace time the purchases were small and a large proportion of
them were made on purchase orders. Under war requirements, while a great
number of purchase orders were issued, the bulk of the procurement was by
contract. Under peace-time procedure deliveries were made at the depot.
War requirements demanded that the bulk of the shipments be made direct
from the factory. Peace-time requirements had demanded advertising for
proposals. War conditions and the instructions of the Secretary of War
required procurements to be made without advertising. Usually the procure-
ments were of such size that it was not a question of competition in the matter
of price but rather competion in the development of manufacturing facilities
to meet the requirements of war-time procurement. The depot itself expanded
from a single building, of approximately 65,000 square feet, to several build-
ings containing nearly 300,000 square feet. The volume of deliveries into
the depot reached huge proportions. All these conditions called for modifica-
tions of existing procedure in order that payments might be readily made,
accounts settled promptly, and the supplies distributed with expedition.

In the process of development the finance department was divided into
two sections, an accounts section, charged with the verification of accounts, and
a disbursing section, charged with making all payments. 9

ACCOUNTS SECTION

Before an account can be paid from public funds two essentials are neces-
sary: First, the exact quantity delivered; second, that the materials delivered
conform to the contract requirements. It was the duty of the accounts section
to assemble this information in regard to all supplies delivered, whether at the
depot or forwarded on direct shipments from the manufacturer to distributing
depots, camps, or ports of embarkation. 9

To this section came copies of all contracts and purchase orders placed by
the purchasing department. In time of peace information that supplies had
been delivered came to the finance section by notations made in the receiving
office on the copies of contracts or purchase orders sent to that office for
information and check against incoming supplies. In the reorganization of
the depot following the declaration of war, the personnel in the receiving
office were inexperienced and changed rapidly. The copies of contracts and
purchase orders were required in the various sections or departments of the
depot for various purposes. Difficulty was often experienced in locating the
contract or purchase order when it was wanted to verify bills received. To
overcome this difficulty a form of receiving report was devised and was filled
out in the receiving office as the samples came in. It gave the name of the
contractor, the articles and quantities delivered, the date of the receipt, and such
other shipping data as might be considered essential. This report was made
in triplicate, using different colored sheets for prompt and accurate distribution.
One copy was retained in the receiving office, one copy accompanied samples

682 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

taken from the delivery, and the third copy went direct to the inspection
department. After inspection the two copies were initialed by the chief of the
inspection department and one copy was forwarded to the accounts section of
the finance department. This report was used to verify the bills which had been
received from the contractor. If delivery had been on purchase order, the bill
and the receiving report, initialed by the inspector, were attached to the purchase
order. The account was then ready for payment and these papers were
referred to the disbursing section for the preparation of the voucher. In case
of contract and deliveries at the depot, a notation was made on a blank sheet
attached to the copy of the contract for that purchase, of the date of receipt,
the quantity, and the date and fact of acceptance. The bills from the con-
tractor were then verified with the receiving report. If they were found to
agree, the account was ready for payment and the papers were forwarded
to the disbursing section. For supplies which were not physically received at
the depot but shipped direct from the manufacturer to other points, a different
procedure was necessary. The manufacturer, when he had supplies ready for
shipment, notified the depot of that fact. After inspection had been made
through the inspection department, instructions were sent to the manufacturer
indicating the quantity to be shipped and the destination. The instructions
were accompanied by a Government bill of lading, one copy of which was
required to be forwarded to the depot immediately after shipment. These
bills of lading, the report of inspection, showing the quantity and the quality
of the articles shipped, and the bills of the contractor, came to the accounts
section where they were verified and appropriate notations made on the
blank sheet attached to the contract for such purposes. The copy of the
bill of lading and the inspection reports were accepted as satisfactory evidence
of receipt of the articles enumerated therein and as justifying payment.
When this information had been assembled in the accounts section, verified
and found complete, the papers were referred to the disbursing section for
payment. 20

DISBURSING SECTION

The disbursing section was custodian of all funds placed to the credit of
the depot and the blank checks used in making disbursements. The disbursing
officer was the accountable officer for these funds. All funds required for the
payment of accounts at the depot were received on warrant from the Treasury
Department. They were taken up and accounted for on an account current
in conformity with the Treasury requirements. The monthly accounts current
were forwarded to the Surgeon General's Office accompanied by an abstract
of disbursements and the original vouchers of all funds paid out during the
month. 20

In the routine operation of this section only verified accounts were handled.
These accounts were received from the accounts section as already noted.
Upon their receipt in the disbursing section vouchers were written and forwarded
to the contractor for signature. When they were received back from the
contractor checks were written, the proper notation was placed on the voucher,
and the checks were mailed to the payee. It was the continuing effort of this

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 683

section to complete the payment for supplies at the earliest possible date after
their delivery. After the depot was fully organized and the personnel in the
various departments better trained, it was practicable to make disbursements
within 10 days from date of the actual or constructive receipt of supplies. The
prompt payments of accounts greatly facilitated the finances of the contractors
and eased the money market in their locality. Prompt payments were of such
an advantage to the contractors that many of them were willing to give a dis-
count for payment within 10 days. These discounts varied from 1 to 5 per
cent. The depot benefited by these prompt payments in the discount which
it received. As much as $20,000 in a single month was saved in this manner
from discounts alone. 20

Payments to civilian employees at the depot were made by the disbursing
section on pay rolls properly verified by the officials designated for that
purpose. There was nothing peculiar or difficult in the payment of these
pay rolls. 20 It became necessary in 1918 to indicate on the pay roll the
proportion of the sums paid to each employee as increased compensation.

REQUISITION DEPARTMENT

The requisition department was responsible for handling of all paper work
pertaining to supplies. It was the largest of the departments. It acted upon
requests for supplies from the following sources: 9 (1) Current requisitions from
posts in the United States; (2) automatic requisitions for overseas use received
from the War Department; (3) replacement requisitions for the various depots
in the United States; (4) emergency requisitions from all sources, such as phone
or telegraphic requisitions from posts or the War Department; (5) requisitions
for overseas; (6) requisitions for supplies to be furnished to the Panama Canal.

Requisitions received in this department passed through the following
sections: Editing section, billing section, service section, stock records section.

EDITING SECTION

All requisitions received at the depot came to the requisition department
from the central mail and file section after they had been stamped with the
date of receipt. Here a serial number was given them and they were entered
on the requisition register. Two forms of the register were kept; one arranged
serially in order of receipt of the requisitions and the other alphabetically on
cards, by organization and place of origin. The entries on the serial register
were made in order of sequence of receipt of the requisition. The data entered
on that register were the serial number, name of the organization, the place at
which it was located, and the date of receipt of the requisition. This register
was continued throughout the fiscal year. At the beginning of the new year
a new series of numbers, beginning with 1, was used. The alphabetical register
was kept on library cards of suitable size and ruling to contain the information
required. The name of the organization and the station were entered at the
top of the card. The other data entered on the card were the serial number
of the requisition, its date, the date and place of approval, the date of receipt,
and, when practicable, the dates of shipments of supplies requested therein. 9

After the requisition had been numbered and recorded, it followed a pro-
cedure which, perhaps for the want of a better term, was called editing. In

684 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

handling the requisition the editor determined, from the quantity of any article
appearing on the requisition, whether it could be supplied from stock or whether
it would be necessary to ship it direct from the contractor. In determining
this fact the balances on the stock record cards were consulted. The articles
which could not be supplied from stock were then indicated on the requisition
by an appropriate symbol. Opposite articles which could be supplied from
stock were entered other symbols which indicated whether packing were neces-
sary or whether the quantities required could be issued in original cases. After
the requisition had been considered by the editor and the distribution of the
articles indicated thereon, it was turned over to a typist. The articles were
extracted from the requisition and arranged in separate lists in accordance
with the symbol. These lists were subdivided in accordance with the classes
of articles and the warehouses involved. A separate list of articles to be packed
was prepared for each subpacking section, and for each commodity or ware-
house of articles which could be supplied in original packages. The list of
articles which could not be supplied from stock were passed through the pro-
duction department for order and record, and thence to the service section for
file. Of the list of articles to be shipped from stock a complete set was sent
to the warehouse shipping section. The second set, attached to the requisition,
went to the service file. The third set was distributed to the various packing
sections and to the warehouse section which handled bulk shipments. As the
articles enumerated on the list were assembled, the quantities actually issued
were noted on the list, if they differed in any way from the quantities originally
entered thereon. It was sometimes necessary, in order to avoid unnecessary
packing, that a larger or slightly smaller quantity be issued than that entered
on the list. The actual quantity issued being necessary for property account-
ing purposes, it was customary to note the changes on the slip because that
slip ultimately reached the property accounts department. These lists accompa-
nied the packages to the shipping section. When all the slips on any requisi-
tion had been received in the shipping section they were compared with the
original set received from the editing section in order that the completeness of
the shipment might be verified. After serving that purpose these lists were
sent to the stock records section for notation on the stock cards. The quanti-
ties of bulk material actually shipped, as indicated by these slips, were deducted
from the available stock balances, and the list, with notations to that effect,
was passed on to the service section for check against the original requisition. 9
After the requisition had been filled and the quantities shipped had been
properly invoiced by the property accounts department, the original requisition
was placed in the permanent requisition file. All correspondence thereafter
relating to that particular requisition was filed with it. All material information
concerning the requisition was obtainable from the requisition file.

BILLING SECTION

The billing section was responsible for preparing invoices for the consignee.
These invoices were prepared from the requisition and its accompanying slips
received from the service section. The data, with reference to each requisition,
noted in this section, included shipping data. The shipping data were received

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 685

from the traffic section or one of its subbranches. The billing section main-
tained no permanent file. It held papers which were incomplete because of
nonreceipt of goods, but as soon as they were completed, the papers were
passed to their proper sections for file. A copy of each invoice went directly
to the property accounts department. 9

SERVICE SECTION

The chief duty of the service section was to see that service was rendered
promptly, expeditiously, and efficiently. It had in its files all parts of the
requisition which had not been completed. Its duty involved following up the
requisition until it had been completed. It received reports from packing
subsections, from the warehousing department, from the production depart-
ment, and from the shipping department on all requisitions. If materials were
not on hand it was the duty of the service section to report the matter
promptly to the production department in order that additional supplies might
be ordered in from contractors. It also maintained a check on the requisition
department that requisitions were promptly edited and that there was no lag
in the editing section. 9

STOCK RECORDS SECTION

It is essential that a supply depot have at all times a complete and correct
record of the quantities of every article actually on hand. The stock records
section was organized to keep a daily record of the balances of all material
ph3 T sically present in the warehouses. In order to keep this record it was
necessary that the receipt of all supplies delivered to the warehouses, and of
all supplies emerging therefrom, be promptly recorded in suitable form for
ready reference. Records in tins section kept account only of bulk stock.
Quantities issued, which involved less than an original package, did not appear
on its record. This was obviated by recording the request for supplies needed
by the various packing subsections for replenishment of bin stock. These
requests were treated in all respects as requisitions and the quantities called
for on them, in original package as necessary, were dropped from the stock
records in this section the same as if they had been shipped to outside points. 9

Information concerning supplies received was obtained from the copy of
the receiving report or tally-in sheet initiated in the receiving section. These
sheets, after they had received the approval of the officer in charge of the
inspection department, passed through the stock records section for entry of
the amount received, on their way to the finance department. The quantities
on these sheets were promptly entered on the stock cards. As noted under
the editing section, the quantities issued on requisitions were received in this
section from the service section where they were entered on the stock cards
and the balance obtained. 9

This section maintained under each item a maximum and minimum of
the quantity to be kept on hand. The maximum supply was determined by
the experience of the depot in the matter of stock required for military use
and for emergency purposes. Because of the limited warehouse capacity, the

686 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

maximum quantity of any article to be kept on hand was governed by the
warehouse space available. This factor in turn was modified by the facility
with which supplies could be received in the depot whenever the quantity
became reduced. A sufficient stock of all articles to meet ordinary require-
ments was kept in the depot. Additional warehouse space could be obtained
in New York City. The warehouse facilities of the depot could be expanded
when necessary. 9

The minimum stock was designated by the administration office and the
quantity determined by the length of time required for replacement. It was
usually a matter of judgment of the officers in charge. As occasion arose the
minimum stock was increased or diminished in quantity. Whenever the stock
balance reached the minimum figure on the ledger, a prompt report was made
to the methods control section. Conference was then held with the production
department and appropriate orders were issued for the replenishment of stock
to the maximum figure. This information was furnished by memorandum to
the service section, which followed up the instructions of the production
department until the goods were delivered. If undue delay occurred the
service section informed the methods control section and an investigation was
at once made to determine the cause. Appropriate measures were immediately
taken to remedy the difficulty. 9

PANAMA CANAL SECTION

The Panama Canal section was one of the old sections in the depot and
had been in existence for many years. It was responsible for procuring
and delivering medical and hospital supplies for use of the Panama Canal
government. Requisitions, in the customary form, were received from the
authorities on the isthmus through the office in Washington. Under authority
from the War Department the Panama Canal Commission was enabled to
obtain supplies at cost from the Medical Department of the Army or to have
them purchased by the depot, as required. The clerical work involved in the
section with these supplies was more or less different from that of the Regular
Army. It had been the custom for many years to assign this work to a
separate section in the depot and to designate particular clerks to carry on the
work. Requisitions and the purchase and delivery of supplies followed the same
general procedure as those required by the Army. Disbursements and payments
for these supplies, however, were made by a representative of the Panama
Canal Commission stationed in New York City. 9

WAREHOUSING DEPARTMENT

The warehousing department had charge of the physical handling of
supplies delivered for storage into any one of the warehouses. The material so
delivered was either stored for the maintenance of the stock for general
use, or for an adequate reserve supply. Of all the material in process of
manufacture, shipment, or delivery, purchased by the New York depot,
the stock stored in New York City formed a very small part. The bulk of the
supplies was shipped direct from the factory to distributing depots, camps, or
ports of embarkation. 9

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 687

The warehousing department was responsible only for materials delivered
to the warehouses. From that point its operations began. The duties included
receiving the material, and the extensive clerical work incident thereto, and
furnishing information to the various departments of the arrival of supplies.
After they had been warehoused the materials were ready for shipment on
approved requisitions. That, in turn, involved the function of packing and
shipping. Shipments were made to the shipping department in cooperation
with the various sections, such as the traffic department, set up to expedite the
delivery of materials. In warehouses the materials were arranged according
to a definite plan in order that technical supplies might be handled by special
sections and that materials which moved rapidly would be so warehoused that
they would be easily accessible for quick withdrawal. The main warehouse at
Morton and Greenwich Streets was used for nearly all classes of supplies.
The smaller shipments were prepared entirely within that building. It was
necessary to effect a complete assembly of such shipments within one plant.
The other warehouses were used for general storage, particularly of bulky and
slow-moving stock, which it was necessary to have on hand for an emergency.
The experience of several months and the requirement list from the War
Department made it possible to determine the amount of stock to be kept on
hand. It was soon found that certain materials should be handled on a maxi-
mum and minimum basis on the stock records. If this were done any average
requirements could be met. 9

The buildings were of most modern warehouse construction. In ware-
housing due consideration was given to floor loads, aisle space, height of stacks,
location of materials for easy access to elevator service. Technical supplies
pertaining to special departments were assigned their own warehouse floor space.
Special floor space was assigned the general packing department where small
requisitions of a general type were packed. The main assembly point for out-
going shipments was located on the first floor of the Morton Street warehouse.
Here all of the materials for reshipments arrived boxed, weighed, and with
shipping directions. From this point materials emerged completely marked
and were delivered to the shipping agents. 9

RECEIVING SECTION

The receiving section was located on the landing floor of the several ware-
houses. The office of the clerical force of this section was near by. As
materials were delivered to any of the warehouses they were carefully checked
to determine whether the quantities received were those stated in the shipping
invoice. Checkers were employed for this purpose who made out tally sheets
containing all the data of the shipment. A shipping invoice was attached to
the tally and both were turned into the receiving office. Two ledgers were
kept in this section. One ledger contained the daily receiving sheets in ledger
form and gave a history of the supplies which came in each day. The other
ledger was arranged by names of contractors; each contractor was given a
separate page on the ledger, that a quick check-up could be made of the total
shipments received from each such contractor. In this ledger, entries similar

688 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

to those in the other lodger were made. In general the information on these
ledgers was the date of receipt, the number of eases, a general description of the
materials, and the name of the contractor. For the information of the stock
department and the production department, a copy of the entries from the
ledger was promptly transferred to the department involved. These reports
were made immediately upon receipt of the supplies in order that all depart-
ments might be informed of the delivery as soon as practicable, and the goods
made available for issue. Another copy of the receiving tally was forwarded
to the inspection department where verification was made of the fact of
inspection of the goods at the factory. If factory inspection had not been
made, the inspection department immediately inspected the supplies so that
they could be transferred to storage on the warehouse floors. By this means
the authenticity of the shipment was verified and its compliance with contract
specifications determined. 9

The other department had almost an hourly balance on the stock. As
soon as the stock department had received notice of the amount and character
of the supplies delivered, entry was made on the stock and the information
transmitted to the service department, where all unfilled reqirisitions were
perused to determine whether the particular stock was needed to fill them. 9

WAREHOUSING SECTION

The warehousing section received the materials from the receiving section
and designated particular floor spaces where they would be stored. All materi-
als of like classes were stored together. At the end of each stack a warehouse
card was attached which gave the balances of the materials on hand in the
particular stack. The quantity of materials received was entered on the card
as soon as the supplies had been placed in the stack. When supplies were
removed from the stack for shipment, the quantity shipped was entered on the
stack card and proper deduction made. The warehouse officer was able
thereby to determine at any time the exact quantity of articles in a given
stack."

This section had charge also of the elevator service and of laborers for the
physical handling of the supplies.

PACKING SECTION

A general packing section was maintained for the packing of all sorts of
loose shipments. It did not handle case goods. It carried a complete bin stock
of supplies of the smaller articles, such as medicines and miscellaneous articles.
Bin stock was obtained from the warehousing section by requisition slip when-
ever the quantity of any article became low or was exhausted. The packing
section received requisitions from the requisition section after they had been fully
edited. Loose supplies were packed as indicated. Besides the packing force,
this section maintained a clerical force for the preparation of packers' lists of
material packed. These lists were made in quintuplicate on an Elliott-Fisher
billing machine. The information given on the packer's list was the point of
delivery, station, list of articles, and number of the boxes. One copy of this sheet

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 689

was placed inside the package, another copy was pasted on the end of the box,
where the contents could be easily read; the remaining copies of the packer's
list were sent to the shipping department. After the supplies had been packed
they were marked with destination, weight, and cubic contents and forwarded
to the shipping section. It then became the duty of that section to handle
the packages. 9

While the bulk of packing was done in the general packing section, other
sections handled special articles. Dental equipment and supplies, surgical
instruments, and X-ray apparatus and supplies each had their own technical
sections, where the supplies were packed and otherwise prepared for shipment. 9

SHIPPING SECTION

The shipping section was located on the first floor of the warehouse and
was under the jurisdiction of a designated officer selected for his skill in prepar-
ing shipments. This section received all materials from the various packing
sections, assembled them together, marked them for shipment, prepared the
shipping invoices, and delivered the materials in accordance with orders from
the requisition department. Copies of all completely edited requisitions were
kept in this section and shipments were checked against them.

The shipping section had two subsections, one for domestic shipments
and the other for overseas shipments. Both of the subsections functioned in
a similar manner. The supplies for domestic shipments were segregated in a
designated place on the warehouse floor, where they were easy of access
for shipment either by transfer to cars on the sidetrack in front of the ware-
house, or to trucks waiting for them. Overseas shipments were delivered by
truck transportation to the docks, generally Pier 45, North River, under sepa-
rate papers. The functions of the depot ceased as soon as the materials with
their accompanying shipping papers had been delivered to the docks. Not all
of the supplies shipped by the Medical Department overseas passed through
this particular dock. Some of them were ordered to Hoboken, while others
were ordered to Port Newark Terminal or elsewhere for loading on transports.
The procedure of handling and in the preparation of the shipping papers was
the same to whichever loading point the supplies were delivered. 9

TRAFFIC SECTION

The traffic section was a large organization and was located on the main
floor of the principal warehouse. The organization began to function upon
receipt of the complete requisition and its accompanying packer's list. From
the data received which gave the designation of the shipment, contents, weight,
cubic space, etc., this section was enabled to forward the materials by the most
convenient route. It took care of rail shipments, overseas shipments, express
and truck orders. It arranged for all classes of transportation, the routing of
shipments, and traffic interchange. It handled also incoming shipments with
their accompanying papers, accomplished the bills of lading, checked the
contractor's bills, and furnished to the finance department, properly audited
and ready for vouchering, the data necessary for the payment of those bills. 9
30663— 2S 44

690 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

PROPERTY SECTION

The warehousing department maintained a small property section to
handle matters pertaining to the internal economy of the warehouse. This
section concerned itself primarily with the relationship between the owners of
the warehouses and the property contained therein. It was responsible for
the maintenance and upkeep of the building. It maintained separate records
in which was kept an account of all materials purchased for use within the
depot, including handling equipment and all other supplies used for purely
depot purposes. These materials were received either from depot stock on
requisitions or through purchase orders on outside sources. It had supervision
of the internal economy of the depot and was responsible for economic
management in issue of such supplies as stationery and the like. 9

DENTAL DEPARTMENT

In conformity with the general policy of the Surgeon General to provide
the depots with technical advisors, an officer of the dental corps was assigned
to duty in the depot early in 1917. The purchasing of dental supplies was,
during the early purchases, made by the purchasing department. During the
winter of 1917-18, as the volume of purchases of dental supplies rapidly
increased, the dental section of the purchasing department was detached from
that department and became the dental department. This department had
as its chief an officer of the Dental Corps of the Regular Army. At the
height of its activity it had 4 enlisted personnel and 26 civilian employees.
After it was fully organized the department became practically self-contained.
It received its own requisitions, advertized for its own supplies, recommended
awards, and edited the dental requisitions. It received all dental supplies,
assembled portable dental outfits, and packed and issued all those articles
listed on the dental supply table. 21 For a more efficient and economical
operation of the dental department, the front half of the fifth floor of the
Morton Street building was set apart for its use. Here complete equipment
was installed for packing supplies and assembly of units. Mortar steel bins
and shelves were installed for loose articles. Ample packing tables were pro-
vided for all packing purposes. Bulky articles, when the space on the fifth
floor became overcrowded, were placed in storage on the sixth floor; practically
the entire sixth floor was devoted to this purpose. After August, 1918, the
bulk storage of such large articles as dental chairs, dental cabinets, work
benches, portable dental engines, and unit equipment boxes were stored in the
Leroy Street building. 21

The dental department was organized into four sections, requisition
including auditing, purchasing, warehousing, and packing. The packing section
included unit assembly. The requirements were received from the Surgeon
General's Office, either through direct instructions to purchase particular
articles for unit assemblages, or by approved requisitions sent to the depot to
be filled. At periodic intervals the purchasing section assembled these require-
ments, prepared circular advertisements representing totals of those require-

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 691

ments, and mailed the circulars to manufacturers of dental supplies. Bids as
they were received were delivered to the dental department where they were
safely kept until the date set for opening. They were then opened and
abstracted and samples called for. The samples received were examined by
the office]- in charge of the department and, after mature consideration of all
factors involved, awards were recommended. The recommendations were sent
to the purchasing department, where contracts and purchase orders were
written. A copy of these contracts and orders were sent to and filed in the
purchasing section. 21

The receipt and inspection of supplies followed the procedure of all other
supplies purchased by the depot. The supplies were delivered to the dental
department where they were checked against the receiving slip and the con-
tractor's bill. If the quantities and quality were found to be correct the
receiving slip and the contractor's bill, approved by the dental officer in charge,
were sent to the finance department for payment. The follow up of the
contracts was handled by the production department of the depot. 21

The warehousing section of the dental department received the supplies
from the receiving department of the depot and distributed them in accordance
with prescribed storage requirements. Small articles, as a rule, were placed
on the shelves. The larger articles were placed in bulk storage as already
indicated. 2

The packing section was divided into two subsections. The one handled
the assembly of unit equipment and the other the general packing of dental
supplies to fill current requisitions. The prevailing depot practice, whereby
one group of personnel selected the articles to fill the requisitions and another
checked against the requisitions the articles thus selected, was observed in the
dental department. After selection and checking they were packed either in
the unit containers or otherwise prepared for shipment. 21

In the early period requisitions went to the editing section of the general
requisition department. At a later period, after the dental department was
fully organized, the requisition was sent direct from the mail and file section
to the dental department. On many of the requisitions received the nomen-
clature of the articles desired was defective. This made the proper filling of
the requisitions difficult. Not infrequently the wrong item would be specified.
To overcome these defects and to make sure that the proper articles would be
sent, an editing section was established for the correction of such requisitions. 21
The editing section read the requisition carefully and changed the nomenclature
to correspond with that of the standard supply table and made such other
corrections as appeared necessary. If, as not infrequently happened, the
requisition contained a few items other than dental supplies, those items were
extracted and forwarded to the general requisition department of the depot. 21

The articles to be assembled in the portable dental outfits and to be issued
as base dental outfits were prescribed by the Surgeon General. Instructions
from the Surgeon General usually directed the purchase or the issue of a definite
number of portable outfits, base outfits, or base dental units. When the depot
received these instructions they were translated into the quantities of the

692 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

individual articles composing the particular unit. Packing was effected in
accordance with the supply table. Mimeograph lists of articles in each unit
were prepared, and as articles were packed they were checked against these
lists. The lists were then used for invoices and receipts. 21

X-RAY DEPARTMENT

The X-ray department was established as a separate department during
the summer of 1917, to handle all supplies and equipment immediately con-
nected with X-ray apparatus. It remained an independent department in the
depot, reporting directly to the officer in charge. Its independent set-up was
occasioned largely by the manner of handling the development and standardi-
zation of X-ray machines and apparatus. All developmental work on X-ray
machines and apparatus was directed by the X-ray section of the Surgeon
General's Office. The work observed was carried on bj r the plants of the
respective manufactures and by the Army Medical School, Washington, D. C,
and the Cornell Medical College, New York. When the United States entered
the war neither X-ray machines, X-ray tables, nor other apparatus had been
standardized. Each manufacturer had followed his own inclinations. In order
to get adequate production and to provide equipment which could be operated
by individuals irrespective of the particular apparatus with which they were
familiar made necessary steps toward standardization. As a result the X-ray
division of the Surgeon General's Office conducted this standardization work
and indicated to each manufacturer the quantity of the particular article he was
expected to produce. This information came to the New York depot, where
the actual contracts were prepared and furnished to the manufacturers. 22

The X-ray department at the height of its activity had approximately 25
enlisted men who were trained X-ray technicians, a clerical force of approxi-
mately 12 civilian employees, and a force of approximately 10 laborers. The
enlisted personnel were engaged particularly in the preparation and placing of
orders and contracts and partly as technicians in assembling and packing of
X-ray equipment. 22

In the earlier purchases the supplies were intended for base hospitals being
established at the various military cantonments, at general hospitals, and at
base hospitals designated for the purpose. The major part of the bulky
equipment for these hospitals was shipped direct from the manufacturers.
Only the small articles, such as plates, films, photo-chemicals, and X-ray tubes,
were handled directly through the depot. As hospitals began to be sent to
the American Expeditionary Forces in France, complete X-ray outfits were
assembled to accompany them. Some of these outfits were the standard
base hospital outfit, others were special portable outfits designed for places
where electric current was not available. The various component parts of
these outfits were received at the depot, where they were inspected by the
X-ray department and prepared for overseas shipment. Inspection of all bulky
apparatus was made at the plant of the manufacturers by technicians detailed
for that purpose from the X-ray division of the Surgeon General's Office.
As X-ray apparatus was received at the depot it was again inspected to insure
its completeness and working order. 22

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 693

INSTRUMENT DEPARTMENT

During the greater part of the calendar year 1917 the purchase, receipt,
inspection, and issue of surgical instruments followed in a general way the
peace-time procedure. Purchase was made by the purchasing department.
The deliveries were made to the receiving department, where they were given
a casual inspection and sent to the packing room. There a separate section
was set apart for them, where they were assorted and prepared for shipment.
The instruments were distributed on shelves without much consideration being
given to the order of their arrangement. The bulk stock was kept in boxes in
the back part of the section. As the requisitions were edited in the requisition
department separate extracts were made of the instruments contained therein.
These extracts came to the instrument section where the instruments were
selected, checked, and packed for shipment. The personnel assigned to this
section in the beginning had very little if any training in handling instruments,
but they were the best that the depot had been able, in the hurry of
expansion, to procure. More or less confusion and inefficiency resulted from
this arrangement and much time was lost from lack of system. 23

The section was reorganized during the winter of 1917-18 and moved to
the second floor to space assigned to it. Personnel trained in the manufacture
and in the handling of instruments was obtained from various sources, princi-
pally through the draft agencies, and inducted into the service. A new system
was installed for the handling of the work of the section. Shelving was put in
and ample bin space provided. Each bin was marked with the name and
number of the instrument it contained. These names and numbers were taken
from the standard List of Staple Medical and Surgical Supplies, Part I, Surgical
Instruments. The bins were arranged in groups according to the arrangement
of the list of instruments as they appeared in the table of equipment of a 1,000-
bed hospital for overseas service." Commodious packing tables were placed at
a convenient distance from the bins. The bins were filled from bulk stock by
or under the supervision of trained personnel thoroughly familiar with the
instruments, to insure that no mistakes would be made in filling them. As the
bins were emptied in filling requisitions, an informal requisition for stock would
be made and the bins again filled. The quantities used in filling the bins would
then be dropped from the stock record books. 23

As the extracts from requisitions were received they were divided into
groups according to the grouping of the bin stock and given to clerks to select
the instruments and quantities called for. Each such clerk would select the
instruments called for, wrap them, and label the package with its contents.
Only one kind of instrument was placed in a package. These packages were
then checked against the requisition slips by an experienced checker and trans-
ferred to the packer for packing. Unit equipment for the overseas base hospi-
tals was assembled in the same manner. A particular group of instruments
was assigned to each clerk to select. As fast as they were selected and wrapped
the instruments were checked and packed. After the instruments had been

'See Chap. XXXIII.

694 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

properly arranged and the system understood by the employees, very little
difficulty was experienced in tilling requisitions rapidly and accurately. 23

Inspection of the instruments received was under the inspection department,
but the technically trained personnel on duty in the instrument department
were utilized in these inspections. Their services were particularly in demand
for the inspections of instruments received in cases. The points principally
looked for were the finish of the instruments, the bite of forceps, the articulation
of the complicated instruments, and the edge of the cutting instruments. If any
instruments were found defective in these respects the case was rejected and
returned to the manufacturer. 23

As the demands for instruments increased during the summer of 1918, the
trained personnel of the section were utilized in the purchase of instruments as
well as in their distribution and inspection. After a time the section became
entirely separate from other departments and assumed the dignity of a depart-
ment. It had as its chief an officer of the Sanitary Corps who had extensive
experience in the surgical instrument retail trade. There were attached to it
two civilian experts in the manufacture of instruments, whose duty it was to
supervise and instruct the converted industries, such as jewelers and toolmakers,
in the details of the manufacture of surgical instruments and surgical needles. 23

REFERENCES

(1) Memorandum on purchase, storage, and distribution of medical supplies and equipment

transmitted by the Surgeon General to the Medical Supply Depot, New York, First
Indorsement, April 7, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
14101-17.

(2) Letter from the medical supply officer, New York, to the Surgeon General, April 29,

1918. Subject: Storage. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-539 N. Y. D.
629

(3) Second Indorsement, from Director of Storage to the Surgeon General, May 3, 1918,

relative to increased storage for Medical Supply Depot, New York. On file,

„■ , a i t-w- ■ • a n ^ 613-539 N. Y. D.

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., „„„

629

(4) Fifth Indorsement, Surgeon General, to the medical supply officer, New York, May 17,

1918, relative to handling medical supplies at New York, N. Y. On file, Finance

i a , rv • • a r< ^ 713-539 N. Y. D.
and Supply Division, h. (j. O., ^na

(5) Letter from medical supply officer, New York, to the Surgeon General, July 16, 1918.

Subject: Supplemental storage warehouse. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

a ,, ,. 713-539 N. Y. D.
S.G.O., g32 - •

(6) Approval of Assistant Secretary on First Indorsement, Director, Purchase, Storage

and Traffic, to Director of Operations, July 31, 1918, recommending the lease of

building southeast corner Greenwich and Leroy Streets, New York City. On file,

r - JO , tv • ■ a n r, 713-539 N. Y. D.
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., „^„ —

(7) Abstract of voucher No. 169, accounts of Col. L. Brechcmin, M. C, for December,

1915. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Abstracts of disbursements.

ACTIVITIES OF DISTKIBUTLNG MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 695

(8) Manual for the Medical Department, 1". S. Army, 1916, pars. 109, 113.

(9) Letter from Col. F. M. Hartsock, M. C, to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, April 28,

1927, furnishing data on the history of the methods of the New York Depot during

,, ,. ... ,,. . a , „. . . a r , ., 713-539 N. V.
the war. On hie, r inance and Supply Division, b. O. O., „

(10) Memorandum furnished Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, March 12, 1927, by H. C. Clancy,

on duty in the Mail and Files Section, 1917-18. On hie. Finance and Supply

„. . . Q ,, „ 713-539 N. Y.
Division, S. O. I)., .,-,.„ •

(11) Letters from Harry R. Balfe, 100 Hudson Street, New York, N. Y., formerly captain,

Sanitary Corps, in charge of Purchasing Department, Medical Supply Depot, New
York, 1917-18, to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, June 7, 1926, June 11, 1926, and
June 14, 1926, relative to organization and operation of that department during

the war period. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ross •

(12) First Indorsement, from officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New York, to the

Surgeon General, June 15, 1918, relative to numbering of contents and purchase

i r. ci t- i tv • ■ Q n r> 750-198 D. of P.

orders. On hie, I 1 inance and Supply Division, S. G. O., _

(13) Letter from officer in charge, Medical Supply Depot, New York, to the Surgeon

General, July 30, 1917. Subject: Inspector for medical supply depot. On file,
Record Room, S. G. O., 181000 K (Old Files).

(14) Letter from Henry W. Haynes, M. D., formerly captain, Medical Reserve Corps, to

Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C., June 22, 1926, relative to organization, operation and
function of inspection department, Medical Supply Depot, New York, while under

his charge, 1917-18. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — — j--v .„ ' ' •

(15) Letter from Frederick S. Deacon, formerly First Lieut., Sanitary Corps, 4511 Pine

Street, Philadelphia, Pa., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, March 20, 1927, relative to

his service in laboratory division, Medical Supply Depot, New York, 1917-18.

n „ „■ , ™ • ■ c. r, « 713-539 N. Y.
On hie, I inance and Supply Division, S. G. ()., \-yik "

(16) Letter from Capt. Daniel W. Fetterolf, M. C, Army Medical Center, Washington,

D. C, to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, March 25, 1927, relative to the organization

and operation of the laboratory division, Medical Supply Depot, New York,

713-539 N Y
1917-18. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — 1239^ — '"

(17) List of assignments of inspectors, Appraisers Department, October 24, 1918, furnished

by Inspector Henry F. Bush, V. S. Customs Service, April 27, 1927. On file,

„. , D . ' . . . Q _, _ 713-539 N. Y.
1 inance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Tola

(18) Letter from Inspector Henry F. Bush, I'. >S. Customs Service, Customs House, New

York, to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, April 27, 1927, relative to inspection of

713—539 N Y

medical supplies. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — -j.,' - — '«

(19) Data compiled from retained copies of accounts current, 1917-18. On file, medical

section, New York General Intermediate Depot, Brooklyn, N. Y.

(20) Letter from Joseph Rubenstein, formerly sergeant, first class, Medical Department,

437 Bergenline Avenue, West New York, N. J., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C,

April 1, 1927, relative to development, organization and operation of the finance

department, Medical Supply Depot, New York, 1917-18. On file, Finance and

a i tv • • a n r> "13-539 N. Y.
Supply Division, S. G. O., \<ne,

696 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(21) Letters from H. L. Grenicr, formerly sergeant, Medical Department, 84 Market Street,

New York, N. Y., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, May 7 and 19, 1927, relative to
organization and operation of dental department, Medical Supply Depot, New York,

1917-18. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — . 25Q — ! -

(22) Letter from Howard W. Dunk, formerly sergeant, first class, Medical Department,

604 West One-hundred-twelfth Street, New York, to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C,
May 7, 1927, relative to the X-ray department, New York Medical Supply Depot,
1917-18, while under his charge. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-539 IsLY_.
1243

(23) Based on statements made by Capt. L. Wettenur, O. R. C, Brooklyn, N. Y., related

August 2, 1927, to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, relative to the organization and
operation of the instrument department, Medical Supply Depot, New York, 1917-18.

CHAPTER XLI
MOTOR AMBULANCE SUPPLY DEPOT, LOUISVILLE, KY.

In the procurement of motor ambulances it proved necessary to purchase
the chassis from one manufacturer and the bodies from another. Before the
vehicle was ready for use the body had to be mounted on the chassis and
the machine tuned up and made ready for immediate use. The chassis were to
be manufactured at Pontiac, Mich., and the bodies at "Watertown, N. Y. The
finished ambulances were required in all parts of the United States. Therefore,
it was desirable that the place selected for the assembly of these vehicles be
located centrally and have ample railroad facilities for distribution. Louisville,
Ky., possessed these qualifications. It had the additional advantage of a
large quartermaster depot just across the Ohio River at Jeffersonville, Ind.
It was at first contemplated establishing this assembling point at the Jefferson-
ville quartermaster depot. An investigation showed that the area within the
compound of that depot was too small to provide for motor ambulance assembly.
It was necessary, therefore, to look elsewhere for space and facilities.

A very advantageous offer was submitted by the Kentucky Wagon Co.,
of Louisville, Ky., for the lease of a part of their plant. 1 The fact that this
company was a builder of both animal-drawn and motor vehicles and had
trained crews in both sections of its plant was a factor which strongly
recommended the selection of this plant for the motor ambulance depot. 2

The offer was investigated and accepted. 2 A building was turned over,
renovated, and converted into offices and warehouses for spare parts stock.
Another building, with loading platform and electric hoist, was erected for
the work of mounting the bodies on the chassis and the inspection and tuning
of engines. A second building was later erected for spare parts bin stock.
There was also space for the storage, in the open immediately in the rear
of this second building and within the factory compound, of a number of
assembled ambulances. 2 Since there was considerable expense involved in
the construction and modification of buildings, some time was consumed in the
negotiations. It was necessary to absorb this expense in the rental. Sat-
isfactory agreement having been reached, the lease was consummated and
construction began June 16, 1917. Officers were in readiness and the office
force was organized by June 27. 2

In July, 1918, the major part of the Ford Building in Louisville was
leased for the use of this depot. 3 It was intended primarily for the develop-
ment of a motor ambulance mechanics' school for the training of motor
mechanics. Such mechanics were badly needed by all motorized ambulance
companies. The delay in the establishment of such a school was a serious

697

698 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

handicap in the handling of ambulance repairs in camps and overseas. More
pressing work on body designs and production of both bodies and chassis
had served for a time to relegate to the background the training of mechanics.

PERSONNEL

COMMISSIONED

When this depot was established in June, 1917, only one officer of the
Medical Department, a captain in the Medical Corps, was assigned to it.
After the Sanitary Corps was authorized, technical experts were commissioned
in that corps and assigned to the depot as the needs required. At the height
of its activities, in August and September, 1918, the commissioned force of the
depot and its adjunct, the Medical Department motor mechanics' school num-
bered seven, one lieutenant colonel, Medical Corps, in command, with six
officers of the Sanitary Corps as assistants. 4 Another officer of the Medical
Corps was assigned to the school as its surgeon. A few changes in the compo-
sition of the depot personnel occurred after the functions of the depot and
school were absorbed by the Motor Transport Corps in September, 1918, under
the provisions of General Orders, No. 75, War Department, August 15, 1918.
The commissioned personnel who remained on duty after the change had been
effected were attached to the Motor Transport Corps, but retained their places
and designations in the Sanitary Corps. 5

ENLISTED

The first enlisted man reported for duty at the depot in August, 1917. 6
Men with qualifications especially suitable for the various duties required were
carefully selected and enlisted or inducted into the service at the depot. 7
Additional men were transferred from Camp Taylor, Ky., and other stations
to this depot when occassion required. All members of the detachment were
given training in their military as well as technical duties. As they became
proficient and showed the proper qualities, they were promoted to appropriate
noncommissioned grades. As they qualified, some of the noncommissioned
officers were transferred to other stations for duty. 8

By the time the mechanics' school was started in August, 1918, the number
of enlisted personnel in the permanent detachment of the depot and school
had reached 45. 4 With the opening of the school 60 students were added and,
for administrative purposes, became a part of the detachment, being so reported. 9
Thereafter, until the end of November, 1918, the aggregate strength of the
detachment varied between 103 and 120. After the transfer of the functions
of the depot and school to the Motor Transport Corps these men were tempo-
rarily attached to that corps for duty but remained and were reported as
Medical Department personnel. After November the strength of the detach-
ment rapidly declined by transfer and discharge until it finally ceased to exist
about the middle of April, 1919. 9

Prior to the lease of the Ford Building in July, 1918, the members of this
detachment were on a commutation status. With the increase in the strength
of the detachment it became increasingly difficult to find boarding places for

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 699

them within a reasonable distance of the depot where board and lodging could
be had for the commutation allowances. After the lease of the Ford Building
for school purposes, the fourth floor was converted into barracks for the detach-
ment. These barracks were occupied during the school period and for a short
time thereafter. Mess was started July 31, 1918. 4

It was intended that this depot should be not only an assembly point and
an issuing depot for ambulances, motor cycles, and spare parts, but a repair
shop as well where major repairs would be made; consequently the personnel of
the detachment were selected with that in view. As new classes of repair
work were started, men were selected from the detachment for that work and
were given special courses of instruction, both in the shop and in the shops of
representative large firms in the city doing that class of work. 4 After the initial
issue of ambulances and motor cycles, the repair work on such vehicles as were
turned in for repairs gradually increased. The large vulcanizing plant in the
Ford Building was adapted to the standard ambulance tires, and unserviceable
tires and tubes were turned in to the depot by various organizations for salvage
or repair. 10 This work was done by members of the detachment.

In June, 1918, field service and roadside instruction was started. The
detachment was divided into two groups which were taken out alternately.
Practical instruction was given in making and breaking camp, camp sanitation,
personal hygiene, cooking of rations in individual mess kits, etc. Regular
military drills and instruction were also conscientiously carried out. 4 After
the school was started two road companies were organized out of the students
and trained accordingly. 4

CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES

The plans for this depot contemplated that the work of the unloading of
chassis and bodies from freight cars, the mounting of the body upon the chassis,
and the loading and blocking of the completed ambulance on freight cars
preliminary to shipment, would be done by the Kentucky AVagon Manufacturing
C<>. under contract. But there would still be need for watchmen, a chauffeur,
a packer for spare parts, an inspector of ambulances, and such number of
laborers as might be required. Authority for the employment of these persons
was granted June 28, 1917." The employment of clerks and stenographers
was authorized, from time to time, as increase in the work of the depot made
this necessary. Some delay was experienced in securing the requisite personnel,
due both to rates of pay offered and to the failure of the United States Civil
Service Commission to have on the roster of eligibles in that district persons
having the special qualifications desired. These difficulties eventually were
overcome. Men with the qualifications desired were given temporary employ-
ment pending their taking special examinations and certification by the local
district secretary of the Civil Service Commission. 12

The location of the depot within the compound of the Kentucky Wagon
Manufacturing Co. was fortunate. That company built both animal-drawn and
motor vehicles. It numbered among its employees expert body builders and
motor mechanics. It appeared to be more advantageous to the Government
to have the assembly of motor ambulances and their preliminary testing done

700 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

by this company under contract than for the depot to develop its own crew of
experts for this purpose. The Kentucky Wagon Co. was willing to undertake
the assembly and .testing of motor ambulances. A contract was entered into
whereby that company unloaded the chassis and bodies from the freight cars
on which shipped, mounted the body on the chassis, gave the assembled job
a test for efficiency, and loaded the finished jobs on freight cars for shipment,
all for the sum of $20 per completed ambulance. 13 This contract remained in
force so long as ambulances continued to be assembled at this depot. The
last payment thereunder was made September 27, 1918. 13

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

The remaining activities of the depot were not numerous or complex.
The officer in charge was made a disbursing officer in September, 1917. u
Disbursements continued to be made by him until his relief from duty at the end
of September, 1918. 15 The funds then remaining to his credit were deposited
in the Treasury to the credit of the proper appropriation and disbursements
at the depot thereupon ceased. A finance department was necessary, therefore,
and was organized shortly after funds were placed to the credit of the
disbursing officer. 16 The usual papers required by regulations were prepared
and the customary records kept.

PURCHASING AND MISCELLANEOUS DEPARTMENTS

The depot was early designated to procure spare parts and accessories for
both ambulances and motor cycles. 17 A purchasing department was organized
in August, 1917. The other departments were, ambulance assembly, spare
parts assembly, receiving, shipping, warehouse records, property returns,
experimental, and repair. Only a small force was employed in each department.
The organization was sufficiently flexible to permit one department to assist
another in time of stress. The organization was small and the officer com-
manding the depot had opportunity to supervise all departments.

The routine of handling requisitions in force in other depots and as
prescribed in regulations was observed at this depot. As the requisitions came
in, they were stamped with date of receipt, given a serial number, were recorded,
and placed in the pending file. As the supplies called for on the requisition
became available for distribution, they were prepared for shipment, invoiced,
the proper shipping papers prepared, and the shipment was delivered to the
carrier. The original of the invoice was sent to the Surgeon General. The
duplicate invoice, together with duplicate receipts, was sent to the consignee.
The articles in the shipment were posted on the standard form of return, M.
D. Forms 17a and 17b. The return was rendered at the periods prescribed by
the Surgeon General.

Routine correspondence was kept in vertical filing cases 18 with card indices
and filed in accordance w r ith the duodecimal system prescribed by the War
Department. 19

A record was kept of the number and date of receipt of each motor chassis
and ambulance body, of the chassis and body numbers of each assembled
ambulance, of dates of shipment and freight cars (numbers and initials) on

ACTIVITIES OP DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 701

which shipped, the spare parts equipment sent with each ambulance, dates of
testing of chassis and name of inspector, and such other information as
experience and judgment indicated. 19

FORD AMBULANCES

The first receipt of Ford ambulances, 100 of which had been ordered near
the end of June, arrived at Louisville July 19, 1917. There were 50 ambu-
lances in the shipment. The bodies were knocked down and shipped 2 in a
crate; the chassis likewise, were shipped 2 in a crate.- The remaining 50
ambulances were received later in the month. 21 With the arrival of these Ford
ambulances the real work of the depot began. Instructions received from the
Surgeon General directed the shipment of 18 of them to newly organized
Engineer regiments, 2 per regiment. 82 These 18 ambulances were reshipped to
the designated regiments in original crates as they came from the factory.
Shipments of unassembled ambulances were also made to some aviation
stations. 23 Considerable difficulty was experienced by the organizations to which
the ambulances had been shipped in assembling the bodies, due to incorrectly
placed holes for bolts and screws in the various parts of the body, and in
starting the motors which, apparently, had never been turned over. 21 For this
reason the remaining ambulances were assembled at the depot and tested out
before shipment, for it was desired that they be ready for use immediately
upon arrival at their destination. 24 By the middle of August, 47 of the Ford
ambulances had been issued, 21 had been completely assembled and tested, and
32 were in original packages. 25 Thereafter they were distributed slowly, the
last one being issued February 19, 1918. 26

Another purchase of 100 Ford ambulances arrived in Louisville May 24,
1918. The assembly and delivery of these ambulances were handled by the
Louisville branch of the Ford Motor Co. 27 It had been decided to extend the
wheel base of the chassis of these ambulances by means of the Hay Dee exten-
sion device. This device was purchased by the depot and was attached to the
chassis at the local Ford branch by personnel from the depot before the body
was mounted upon it. 28 Difficulties, similar to those encountered on the lot
assembled at the depot during the previous year, were experienced by the local
branch of the Ford Co. in assembling this lot of ambulance bodies. These
difficulties were eventually overcome and the machines completely assembled,
were delivered to the depot. Some difficulties were experienced, too, in attach-
ing and adjusting the Hay Dee extensions. 6 These were overcome in a satis-
factory manner. Complete sets of Ford spare parts A were issued with each
Ford ambulance. During June, 1918, 94 of these ambulances were received at
the depot and 85 were issued. During July, 6 were received, completing the
order, and 15 were issued, completing the distribution. 29

G. M. C. AMBULANCES

The General Motors Truck Co. was instructed by wire August 16, 1917, to
begin shipping chassis at the rate of 5 carloads per day. 30 Chassis began to
arrive at the depot August 27 , 31 and came in rapidly thereafter. Bodies began
to arrive August 17, 32 and continued to come in rapidly. Many minor

6 A more extended account of t his extension will be found in Chap. XXIII.

702 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

difficulties were encountered in mounting: the bodies on the chassis, but these
were rapidly overcome. 33 One of the most aggravating causes of delay was
the manner of shipping the chassis. They arrived on flat cars, two chassis per
car, but stripped of all readily removable parts. These parts were packed in
boxes, one box for each chassis, and shipped separately in box cars. Failure
to receive them prevented the shipment of the ambulance having the chassis
to which they belonged. 34 Some minor defects were found in the motors,
which were early discovered, but necessitated a very careful inspection of the
completed vehicle before blocking it on the car for shipment. 35 All vehicles
were tested out under their own power and demonstrated to be in perfect
running order before they were shipped. After this test the following card,
properly filled out and inclosed in a manila envelope, was attached to the
steering wheel of the ambulance. No ambulances were shipped without the
card and no card was attached without the requisite test. 36

Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, United States Army, Louisville, Ky.

Car name

Model

Number

Shipping date

To the Officer Receiving This Ambulance:

This ambulance has been thoroughly tested by being actually driven under its own

power by on

It was in perfect condition when delivered to the transportation company,

( )

[Initial carrier]

Claims for damage and shortage should be adjusted with the transportation company.
This card is evidence for a survey.

Medical Corps, U. S. Army, In Charqe of Depot.

Another tag was devised for the more systematic assembly and inspection
of ambulances. This tag was attached to the chassis as soon as it came on
the floor for assembling and remained with it until the test card, mentioned
above, was attached, the last thing before shipment. This assembly tag was
divided into three sections: Chassis operations, body operation, and shipping.
On the first section was entered the chassis number, the body number, and the
name or initial of the employee attaching the toe board filler, blocks in the
channel of frame at points of attachment of U bolts, head lamps, side lamps,
tail lamps, and Prcst-o-Lite tank. On the second section — body operations —
were entered the names or initials or clock numbers of the employees performing
the following operations: Setting U bolts; attaching fenders, tire carriers,
tail gate, horn, and curtains; cleaning gas tank; oil inspection; filling with oil
(if necessary), gas, air, and water; test, and date. The third section — shipping —
received the following entries; Car initial, car number, whether box car or flat
car; water drained from cooling system, gas drained, tires inflated; name of

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 703

employee by whom the body was stripped, hoods sealed, tank box wired, and
tools cheeked; date. This tag served to fix the responsibility whenever any
defect or maladjustment was found on final test, and as the basis for the
elimination of careless employees from the work. 37

This methodical procedure and the careful inspections made at the depot
disclosed many defects in the earlier shipments, due probably to carelessness in
assembly, lack of careful inspection at the factory, and haste in shipment.
These defects covered a wide range — broken headlight lenses, defective clutches
and transmissions, broken springs, faulty carburetors, leaking pumps, defective
oil indicators, loose gasoline lines, gasoline lines not plugged to prevent being
filled with dirt, and defective blocking on the cars. 38 After the Medical
Department personnel assigned to duty at the factory had organized and begun
inspections there, these defects rapidly diminished and soon ceased entirely. 39

After the issue of G. M. C. motor ambulances to all organizations in the
United States entitled to them had been completed, it was contemplated, for a
time, to utilize the assembly room at the depot for the storage of boxes, chassis,
and bodies. While it was intended to ship chassis and bodies overseas as
rapidly as tonnage could be had for them, it was anticipated that deliveries
would exceed this rate. Temporary storage for this surplus was necessary. A
contract was entered into February 11, 1918, with the Kentucky Wagon
Manufacturing Co. 40 to unload chassis and bodies from the cars, place them
in storage, and reload them on cars for shipment at a fixed price per unit
(1 chassis and 1 body). The plan for stowing the chassis and bodies in tiers was
developed by the depot personnel. 41 By the time the production of chassis had
reached a point where storage became necessary the situation in the combat
zone called for all the ambulances which could be supplied. Only 84 chassis
and a like number of bodies were sent to the depot for storage. 42

SPARE PARTS TRAILER

Work on the development of a suitable spare parts trailer was undertaken
at the depot in January, 1918. 43 A satisfactory design had been worked out
by the end of March. Contracts for trailer chassis and the special bodies were
signed April 17 and April 13, 1918, respectively. 44 Deliveries and issues of these
trailers are included in the table of receipts and issues of ambulances given
above.

It was contemplated that both the ambulance spare parts set B and the motor
cycle repair parts set B would be packed in the trailer at the depot and the
whole shipped as a complete unit to the organization to which consigned.
This was especially desirable in securing uniformity in equipment and methods
of carrying it. It was advantageous to have exactly the same equipment and
methods at home and abroad. The trailer was considered the best sort of
carrier and container under all circumstances. Future operations would be
facilitated by having the equipment complete, uniform, and standard. 45

Because of the large number of parts carried in the spare parts trailer and
the number of compartments in which they were packed, it was foreseen that
it would be difficult for the mechanic to know what parts were in the trailer

704 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

and where they were carried. To simplify the finding of the parts needed, a
simple index was devised. This index consisted of two printed sheets of parts
covered with sheets of pyralin and carried in metal frames, 10 inches by 14
inches, attached to the rear door of the trailer. The parts were arranged by
divisions and each division carried together in a separate compartment so far
as sizes of the parts would permit. Tools and accessories were assembled in
groups in the manner in which they would be used — hammers, punches, and
chisels in one bin, wrenches in another, drills and brace bits in another, and tire
repairing materials in still another. The index was arranged with this distri-
bution of parts in view. All factory parts were grouped on the index in accord-
ance with their numbers. These numbers consisted of two series separated
by a hyphen, thus: Knuckle arm nuts, 13-278. When the mechanic desired
to find this nut he would look at the index, run down the list of 13's until he
came to the 278. Opposite this number would be the number of the compart-
ment and bin in which the part was carried. 46 This index proved most
convenient. The dates of distribution of these trailers are shown below.

DISTRIBUTION

The depot distributed assembled motor ambulances, motor cycles, and
spare parts to all organizations within the continental limits of the United
States. It received and stored a number of boxed chassis and knocked-down
bodies and later put them in transits to ports of embarkation for shipment
overseas. Spare-parts trailers were distributed to camps at home and for-
warded overseas for distribution to organizations which had left without
them.

Distribution of standing or completely assembled ambulances began
August 28, 1917, with shipment of two machines to the base hospital at each
National Army and National Guard training camp. This distribution was
completed September 7, 1917. Distribution of motor ambulances to ambulance
companies of the Regular Army not already equipped began September 11,

1917, and was completed September 15, 1917 — five companies. 47 Distribution
of ambulances for the equipment of one motor ambulance company at each of
the National Army cantonments began September 10 and was completed
except for spare-parts cars October 26. Distribution of ambulances for one
motorized ambulance company at National Guard camps began September
24 and was completed October 30. Camp Mills, Garden City, Long Island,
N. Y., not one of the original 16 National Guard Camps, was equipped
November 8. Distribution of ambulances for the second motorized company
at all divisional training camps began October 30, 1917, and was completed
March 27, 1918. 47

There was material delay in securing spare parts for distribution. The
sets of spare parts were finally assembled and distribution began early in April,

1918. All camps had been supplied by the end of June of that year. Spare-
parts trailers were distributed to the several camps in June and July, 1918.
One spare-parts trailer, 1 set of moter ambulance spare parts B, and 12 sets
moter ambulance spare parts A were issued to every camp for each motorized
ambulance company equipped with motor ambulances. One set of ambulance

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS

705

spare parts A was issued for each General Motors Co. ambulance sent to stations
and not part of an ambulance company. One set of motor cycle spare parts
B was also issued to each ambulance company at home and abroad. 47 Some
delay was experienced in the issue of motor cycle spare parts due to the slow-
ness of the manufacturers in making deliveries.

Receipts and issues of standard ambulances, spare-parts cars, spare-parts
trailers, and sets of ambulance spare parts A and B are given, by months, in
the following tabular statement: 48

Ambulances and parts

Receipts

Issues

Month

G.M.C.
chassis

Ambu-
lance
bodies

Spare,
parts
bodies

Spare-
parts
trailer
chassis

Spare-
parts
trailer
bodies

Ambu-
lances

Spare-
parts
cars

Spare-
parts
trailers,

do-
mestic

Spare-
parts
trailers,
export

A m bu-

lanee

spare

parts

A

Ambu
lance

Spare-
parts
B

1917

} 500

150
122
140

f

29
251
300
131
101

398

{ 12
19
30

11

23

18

8

248

153

2

Total

912

801

68

812

60

1918

"10

>6

•68

ad I

/ -100

\ »72

H

10

1
2
2

I '57
\ '84
•76
f *1
\ »25

} ...

}.......

1

93

1 47
29

'r "i

50 { \

186 2
64 32

35

51

April

V

36
74

316

430

499
637
403
511

178

18

)

1

6
75
30
30

30

/

32
31
4
5
3

42

July

3

'45

■ <<25
*8
'1

152
38

3

August

September., __ __ _ ,_ _.
October

325
-8
-1

4
2

Total . _ .

/ '84
\ "213

<217
M29

} "

301

301 { 2^

} ■

75

142

3.004

99

Aggregate. „

1.209

1,147

102

301

301 1.043

65

75

142

[ -947
l'2, 057

•69
'30

1

I 3,004

99

a Standing.

' Boxed for export.

c Assembled.

d Paige Ambulance. Donated.

MECHANICS' SCHOOL

• Domestic.
'Export.

As stated previously, the need for a school for the training of ambulance
chauffeurs and mechanics made itself known at an early date. The actual
work on the development of such a school was delayed by that necessary to
the development of organizations at the producing plants and to body design.
It was at first contemplated that such a school would be developed at the
Louisville depot. A central shop for the repair of motor ambulances and
motor cycles appeared to be necessary. It was believed that this repair shop
might very profitably be run in conjunction with such a training school and
the ambulance supply depot. 19 The policies of the War Department, however,
30663—28 45

706 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

limited the number of places at which special training could be given and
required the establishment at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., of the school for the
training of ambulance chauffeurs.

Authority was granted June 27, 1918, for the establishment of the school
for mechanics at Louisville. This authority covered also the lease of the major
part of the Ford Building in that city. 49 Lease was effected July 19, 1918. 60
This building was converted so as to provide comfortable barracks on the
fourth floor, spare-parts stock on the third floor, school on the second floor, and
offices, utilities, and receiving and shipping departments on the first floor.

The purpose of the school, its equipment and facilities are given in the
following extract from a letter from the officer in charge: 51

The Medical Department Mechanics' School is arranged to furnish two distinct courses
of instruction, (a) the inside instruction including shopwork, and (6) the road course. For
the purpose of the inside instruction we have, at present, laid out on the third floor of the Ford
Building:

3 complete model 16 G. M. C. chassis;

1 frame complete with springs;
3 motors complete;

3 clutch and transmission assemblies, complete;

3 rear axles, complete;

3 front axles, complete;

3 universal drive shafts, complete;

3 steering gears, complete;

3 water pump assemblies, complete;

3 radiators;

3 magnetos; and

2 complete Indian motor cycles with side cars.

This material is mounted on horses or blocks for ready disassembly and assembly. All
disassembly and assembly work is done with the tool equipment carried in two spare-parts
trailers equipped with complete sets of spare parts B, which are installed on this floor.
For the contents of the spare-parts trailer, including its tool equipment, attention is invited
to the pamphlet of information and instructions published in the Office of the Surgeon
General under date of May 1, 1918.

On the second floor of the Ford Building which is intended to be used as an overhaul-
ing shop for ambulances sent in from time to time from the different camps, is located a
tire repair shop equipped with an Akron-Williams steam vulcanizing outfit for which material
has been ordered to remodel it to take care of 35 by 5 tires; a radiator repair shop with
furnaces, test tank, and compressed air; a blacksmith's forge and anvil; 2 arbor presses; 1
drill press; lathe; 1 universal grinder, and 1 dry grinder. In addition to this there are
some special Ford equipments, including an electrically driven machine for running in
motor bearings and another electrically driven machine for testing rear axles.

This second floor is also equipped with a lecture room, provided with blackboards, seat-
ing 150 men, and is at present supplied with a cut-out motor-cycle motor, a cut-out motor-
cycle transmission, a cut-out motor-cycle clutch, a cut-out carburetor and governor for
ambulance, and a cut-out Pyrene fire extinguisher. This material will be added to from
time to time.

For road training it is intended to equip motorized ambulance companies complete, and
for this purpose we now have on hand 24 standard model 16, G. M. C. %-ton ambulances 6
motor cycles, and 2 spare-parts trailers, and it is our understanding that shipment has been
made, by the various general depots of the Quartermaster Corps, of 6 class A trucks, 2
Dodge touring cars, 2 trailmobile-type rolling kitchens, and 2 trailmobile-type water carts.
We also have on hand the complete medical, quartermaster, and ordnance equipment for two
ambulance companies which will be carried on this transportation, per paragraph 874,
Manual for the Medical Department, 1916.

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 707

The fourth floor of the Ford Building is used as a barracks, in which are now housed
52 men attached to the motor ambulance supply depot. The capacity of the main squad
room in this barracks is 110 men. The mess room will seat 150 men at one time. The
kitchen arrangements are ample for a mess for 500 men.

The school detachment consisted of 8 officers, including the commanding
officer, 10 noncommissioned officers, 3 cooks, and a small number of privates,
first class. 52 This personnel was grouped into administrative, detachment
commander, and instructors, commissioned and enlisted. 53

The first class comprised (>0 men selected from among those who had taken
the chauffeurs' course at Camp Greenleaf, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. They were
given practical work in finding trouble in the motors and in making roadside
repairs. Some 40 members of the class qualified as mechanics, of whom G were
proficient motor-cycle mechanics. 54

The school was discontinued at the end of December, 1918. All Medical
Department equipment was transferred to the medical supply depot, St. Louis,
Mo. The building was released to the Ford Motor Co. in January, 1919. 55

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from Col. H.C.Fisher, M. C, S. G. O., to Mr. Robert V. Board, President,

Kentucky Wagon Manufacturing Co., Louisville, Ky., May 23, 1917. Subject:
Motor ambulance supply depot. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
11,220-247.

(2) Correspondence between Maj. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., and Capt. John P.

Fletcher, M. C, motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky., during June and
July, 1917, relative to establishment of Motor Ambulance Supply Depot. On file,

r- > a , tv ■ • a n r> 713-440
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -.

(3) Correspondence between Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply

Depot, Louisville, Ky., and Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., during July, 1918,

relative to establishment of motor ambulance mechanics' training school. On file,

713—440
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., .5.,-. ■

(4) Weekly report of the Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., for the period

ending July 31, 1918, to the Surgeon General. On tile, Finance and Supply

rv • • ,'n,, 713-440

Division, S. G. O., ,„„ — ■

(5) Correspondence between the Surgeon General and The Adjutant General, U. S. Army,

during August and September, 1918. Subject: Motor Transport Corps. On file,

. . - c ^ r, 750-751 M. T. C.

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., . — -

(6) Return of enlisted personnel, Medical Department, August, 1917. On file, Enlisted

Section, Personnel Division, S. G. O.

(7) Correspondence between Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply

Depot, Louisville, Ky., and Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., during July to

, ™- • • * ^ rx 713-440

December, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, 8. G. O., ( var{ous ^SbiS)'

(8) Weekly reports of the Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, April to August, 1918,

to the Surgeon General, U. S. Army. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
„ r n 713-440
S - G - °' "398 ■

(9) Return of enlisted personnel, Medical Department, August, 1917, to April, 1919,

inclusive. On file, Enlisted Section, Personnel Division, S. G. O.

708 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(10) Par. 4 (a). 4, Supply Letters, Nos. 1 to 23, inclusive (consolidated and revised), Medical

Department, U. 8. Army, Surgeon General's Office, December 5, 1917.

(11) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Officer in Charge, Motor Ambulance Supply

Depot, Louisville, Ky., June 28, 1917. Subiect: Civilian employees. On file,
Record Room, S. G. 6., 182,301-A-l.

(12) Letters from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louis-

ville, Ky., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., July 2, July 19, and August 17,
1917, relative to civilian employees and other depot matters. On file, Finance and

a i tv ■ • « n r> 713-440
Supply Division, S. G. O., - t

(13) Contract between Capt. John P. Fletcher, M. C, representing the United States, and

the Kentucky Wagon Co., July 17, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. O., Motor Transport files, Contract No. 613.

(14) Letters from Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., August 31, 1917, to Maj. John P.

Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky. Subject: Depot

affairs. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - „„

(15) First indorsement of the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the officer in charge, Motor

Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., September 24, 1918. Subject: Commis-

7 1 3—440
sioned personnel. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -^j,^ •

(16) Letters from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louis-

ville, Ky., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., August 27 and 30, 1917.

Subject: Depot affairs. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ~ ■

2o, 08

(17) Letter from Maj. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., to Capt. John P. Fletcher, M. C,

Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., July 25, 1917. Subject: Ford
ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14,842-1.

(18) Letter from Capt. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville,

Ky., to Maj. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., July 2, 1917. Subject: Correspond-
ence filing system. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -■

(19) Correspondence between Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot,

Louisville, Ky., and Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G.O., August, 1917, to December

31, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ' TTTw

(20) Telegram from the officer in charge, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky.,

to the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, July 19, 1917. Subject: Ford ambulances.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. 0., 14,842.-L.-1.

(21) Letter from Capt. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville,

Ky., to Maj. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., July 31, 1917. Subject: Depot

matters. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,

(22) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the Chief of Engineers, July 21, 1917.

Subject: Motor ambulance for Engineer regiments. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 15,573.-G-1.

(23) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the officer in charge, Motor Ambulance

Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., July 16, 1917. Subject: Motor ambulances. On
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 14,842.-R.

(24) Letter from Maj. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., to Capt. John P. Fletcher, M. C,

Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., August 4, 1917. Subject: Motor

ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. O.,

(25) Letter from Capt. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville,

Ky., to Lieut. Col. Edwin* P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., August 21, 1917. Subject: Motor

ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — "^ f -■

ACTIVITIES OP DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 709

(26) Louisville weekly reports for the week ending February 23, 1918. On file, Finance

i a i tv • • a n r> 713-440
ana supply Division, o. u. U., — „„g —

(27) Letter from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville,

Ky., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., May 30, 1918. Subject: Spare parts

and Ford ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., •

(28) Letter from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville,

Ky., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., June 20, 1918. Subject: Motor
ambulances and spare parts. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-440
351

(29) Louisville weekly reports, June 8, 1918, to July 20, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply

_. . . _ „ _ 13-440
Division, S. G. O., ,„„ -

(30) Telegram from the officer in charge, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky.,

to General Motors Truck Co., Pontiac, Mich., August 16, 1917. Subject: Shipment

713—440
of chassis. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., j-q

(31) Letter from Capt. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Suppy Depot, Louisville,

Ky., to Lieut. Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., August 27, 1917. Subject:

_ _ „ 713-440
Labor difficulties. On file, Finance and Supply Division, 8. G. U., ^

(32) Letter from the officer in charge, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., to the

H. H. Babcock Co., Watertown N. Y., August 18, 1917. Subject: Ambulance bodies.

713—440
On File, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — 23

(33) Letter from Capt. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville,

Ky.,to Lieut. Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M.C.,S.G.O., August 30, 1917. Subject: Anibu-

_ _ n 713-440
lance assembly. On file, Finance and Supply Division, 8. <j. U., - 5g

(34) Letter from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville,

Ky., to Lieut. Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., September 5, 1917. Subject:
Shipments of G. M. C. chassis. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-440
47

(35) Letter from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville,

Ky., to Lieut. Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., September 4, 1917. Subject,
Motor ambulance chassis. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-440
46

(36) Letter from Capt. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louis-

ville, Ky., to Maj. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., August 16, 1917. Subject:

713-440
Ambulance assembly. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — 13 *" '

(37) Letter from Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louis-

ville, Ky., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., September 20, 1917. Subject:

_. . . or,/-, 713-440
Depot affairs. On file, Finance and Supply Division, 8. <j- U., — j^— •

(38) Letter from officer in charge, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., to the

General Motor Truck Co. Pontiac, Mich., September 20, 1917. Subject: Defective

71 ^—440
chassis. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., _„, —

(39) Letter from Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., to Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C,

Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., October 22, 1917. Subject: Spare

713—440
parts and ambulances. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ^9

710 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(40) Contract between Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, and the Kentucky Wagon Manufac-

turing Co., February 11, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. 0.,
Motor Transport Contracts, No. 3985.

(41) Correspondence between Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor Ambulance Supply

Depot, Louisville, Ky., and Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., during December,

1917, and January, 1918, relative to storing ambulances and other depot matters.

713—440
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - .„„

(42) Louisville weekly reports, February, 1918, to June, 1918, inclusive. On file, Finance

a a i tv • • a n r> 713-440
and Supply Division, S. G. O., — oqs —

(43) Letter from the officer in charge, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., to

Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, San. Corps, S. G. O., January 10, 1918. Subject: Spare parts.

713—440
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ■?=-. — •

104

(44) Contract between Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C, and the Trailmobile Co., of Cincinnati

Ohio, April 17, 1918. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Motor Trans-
port Contracts, No. 4669.
(45) Letter from Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, San. Corps, N. A., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C,
S. G. O., March 22, 1918. Subject: Spare parts " B " equipmen t, body and trailer

chassis. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ^iT ■

(46) Letter from the officer in charge, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., to

Maj. W. T. Fishleigh, San. Corps, N. A., April 26, 1918. Subject: Index of spare

parts. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 713 ,~ 44() .

(47) Louisville weekly reports of Motor Ambulances received and Issued. On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., — „ s „ —

(48) Compiled from the following reports on file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.:

Louisville weekly reports, August, 1917, to September 30, 1918, file number 713 " 440 ,

Louisville daily shop report, September 28, 1917, to October 22, 1918 file number

713-440 ^ T . .„ , .,

399,401' Louisville daily spare parts report, July 6, 1918, to October 22, 1918,

_, . 713-440

file number, ...

402

(49) Letter from Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. G, S. G. O., to Maj. John P. Fletcher, M. C,

Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., February 26, 1918. Subject:
Training school for mechanics. On file, Finance and Supply Division S G O
713-440
195 '

(50) Memorandum from Director of Purchases and Supplies, to Chief of Staff, Director of

Operations, June 27, 1918. Subject: Lease of building owned by Ford' Motor Co.,
Louisville, Ky.; and the indorsement of the third Assistant Secretary of War thereon.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — ®~V^-

obi

(51) Letter from the officer in charge, Motor Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., to

the Quartermaster General, attention " Burnett," August 20, 1918. Subject: School

equipment. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., Z 13 ~ 44 9.

(52) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to The Adjutant General of the Army,

August 30, 1918. Subject: Motor Transport Corps. On file, Record Room, S. G. 0.

ACTIVITIES OF DISTRIBUTING MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS 711

(53) Letter from the Surgeon General's Office to Lieut. Col. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Motor

Ambulance Supply Depot, Louisville, Ky., July 18, 1918. Subject: Organization

„ , _. . . ~ _, -. 713-440
and personnel. On file, Finance and Supply Division, to. O. U., — gj= —

(54) Letter from Lieut. Col. John P. Fletcher, M. C, Medical Department Mechanics' School,

Louisville, Ky., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., September 24, 1918. Subject:

713-440
Progress of school. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ggg

(55) Letter from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the Director of Purchase, Storage and

Traffic Division, January 10, 1918. Subject: Discontinuance of mechanics' school.
On file, Record Room, S. G. O.. 440 (Louisville, Ky.) F.

SECTION IX

ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH THE OVERSEAS TRANS-
PORTATION OF SUPPLIES

CHAPTER XLII

PORT MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS

NEW YORK

Early in June, 1917, representations ' of the need of the Medical Depart-
ment for space at ports of embarkation were made to the Quartermaster
General, who promptly gave instructions to the depot quartermaster, New
York City, to obtain a suitable storehouse for medical supplies on the water
front at that port. On June 19, 1917, an officer from the supply division, Surgeon
General's Office, was sent to New York City to investigate the port facilities
and to ascertain whether a suitable pier could be obtained and at what price. 2
After consultation with the depot quartermaster in that city, the city pier at the
foot of Thirty-third Street, Brooklyn, was inspected and found to be ideal for
the purpose. It was a covered pier of practically fireproof construction and
connected with the Long Island Railway through the Bush Terminal and the
Brooklyn rapid transit system. Its lease was recommended by the Surgeon
General on June 20, 1917, in the following indorsement setting forth the needs
for it: 3

1. Continued developements of the problem of furnishing medical supplies to the
troops abroad emphasizes the necessity for liberal supply of storage accommodation at the
point of embarkation much greater than suggested within this letter. The Medical
Department is becoming acutely embarrassed, especially at the point of embarkation, for
storage space. The President and Secretary of War have approved the accumulation of
2,400 automobile ambulances, to be shipped to France, in addition to other great quantities
of material that must be stored ready for shipment.

2. As the result of personal conferences and cooperation between the Quartermaster
Department and the Medical Department, the depot quartermaster, New York City, has
located a satisfactory wharf upon the Brooklyn water front which can be obtained at a
lease of $120,000 per year. An officer of the Medical Department has inspected this wharf
and reports it as nearly ideal for the need of the Medical Department.

3. It is most urgently requested that the depot quartermaster, New York, be authorized
to lease this wharf for the use of the Medical Department, as indicated, and that authority
be communicated by telegraph and that this matter be made special to expedite it as soon
as possible.

It was found upon further investigation that the Thirty-third Street,
Brooklyn, pier, had already been leased by the city authorities to a local ship-
ping firm and could not be secured.

A substitute was found at Pier 45, North River. This pier at that time
was approximately 835 feet long by 82 feet wide, covered with a one-story

713

714 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

shed of steel and sheet-iron construction, with one-story bulkhead sheds on
each side, berth on each side, water approximately 25 to 30 feet in depth. It
was the second pier north of Christopher Street ferry and was almost directly
opposite the Hoboken piers taken over by the Government. It was within a
block and a half of the entrance to the Hudson subway to Hoboken and within
one-third of a mile of the medical supply depot at Greenwich and Morton
Streets. This pier had been under lease to the Clyde Steamship Co. at a
monthly rental of approximately $5,000. Upon the recommendation of the
general superintendent, United States Army Transport Service, New York,
the Quartermaster General, July 20, 1917, authorized the lease of this pier for
use of the Medical Department. 4

It was estimated at the time the pier was secured that the medical and
hospital supplies required for the equipment and maintenance of an Army of
1,250,000 men overseas would involve a daily shipment of 1,200 or more cubic
tons. Daily shipments could not be expected. If weekly shipments could
be counted upon, and an 8-foot stack could be maintained, approximately
46,000 square feet of floor space, in addition to aisles and passageways, would
be required. Since even weekly shipments could not be counted upon, it was
regarded as inevitable that additional dock space would be required to provide
for unexpected influxes of large quantities of supplies destined for overseas. 5

The only ships actually loaded at Pier 45, North River, were those taking
the equipment of the sections of the United States Ambulance Service to Italy
in the spring of 1918. Practically all the motor amblances for that contingent,
430, in number, passed over this pier. An endeavor was made at one time to
secure the unfinished Lamport & Holt Pier in Hoboken, but the need for it, in
addition to Pier 45, North River, did not materialize, due to extensive light-
erage service and to the routing of large quantities of supplies through other
ports — Newport News and New Orleans. In so far as the Medical Department
was concerned, the port of New York was used in the main as a port of
embarkation for hospital supplies, whereas the port at Newport News was
used for field supplies and motor ambulances.

A medical supply depot for the port of embarkation, Hoboken, N. J., was
established on Pier 45, North River, and the assembling of medical and
hospital supplies for overseas shipment began in July, 1917. 6 An officer of
the Medical Corps was placed in charge of this depot with the title of medical
supply officer, port of embarkation, Hoboken, N. J. 7 A small depot force was
secured and offices were opened on the pier. This depot was given a definite
status in the port organization by the following letter from the chief of
embarkation service to the commanding general, port of embarkation, Hoboken,
on August 31, 1917 : 8

1. The Medical Department, United States Army, has established a medical supply
depot at Pier 45, North River, from which medical supplies and equipment are to be collected
and forwarded overseas.

2. You are authorized to communicate directly with the officer in charge of this medical
supply depot as to shipments, and to allot him cargo space for same.

3. Priority of shipments of medical supplies should be given on recommendation of
officer in charge of the medical supply depot.

ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH OVERSEAS TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 715

Additional officers were assigned to duty at this depot as the volume of
supplies received and shipped increased, its activities expanded, and the reports
and restrictions multiplied. 9 Enlisted personnel were assigned to duty from
time to time, and additional civilian employees were added as the increasing
requirements and dispersion of activities made necessary.

PERSONNEL

By the end of May, 1918, the requirements of personnel for the proper
operation of this depot had grown to 4 officers, 20 enlisted men, and 56 civilian
employees. 10 The fire hazard at Pier 45 was considered so great that the num-
her of watchmen required there was fixed at 15 by the commanding general of
the port. 10 The depot activities were then carried on at Pier 45, North River;
Bush Terminal, Brooklyn ; and 45 Broadway, New York City. 11 Bush Terminal
previously had been used by the medical supply depot, New York City, for
storage of excess supplies ultimately destined for overseas shipments for which
no space was available in the buildings then occupied by that depot. All avail-
able storage space on the water front was taken over April 8, 1918, by the
port commander. The section in the Bush Terminal devoted to medical and
hospital supplies was placed under the medical supply officer of the port. 10 The
office at 45 Broadway, New York City, also was a port facility and had to do
with the transportation of supplies. The representative of the Medical Depart-
ment on duty there became likewise an assistant to the medical supply officer
of the port. 10

The peak load of personnel at this depot was reached in October with the
establishment at Port Newark Terminal, N. J., of a section devoted to the
assembling of equipment for base hospitals to be sent to France.

ORGANIZATION

The organization of a medical supply depot at a port of embarkation
differed considerably from the purchasing and distributing depots. It was
charged only with receiving supplies destined for ocean transportation, the
temporary storage of such supplies until shipping should become available, the
selection of supplies for shipment, their delivery to lighters or docks for loading
on board ship, and the keeping of such records and the rendering of such
reports as were required by higher authority. Consequently it had neither
purchasing, finance, nor packing activities. Its business was to accept such
supplies as were delivered to it and to get them on board the transports as
expeditiously as possible. Records of receipts and deliveries to ship side were
essential in order that losses at sea might be checked promptly and a knowledge
had of the supplies forwarded. The organization, then, consisted essentially of
records, receiving, and shipping departments. 10

RECORDS DEPARTMENT

The records department received, numbered, indexed, and recorded all
information concerning incoming supplies, checked the "tally-in" sheets from
the receiving department against the supplies expected, and the "loading
sheets " against the various instructions to ship. The reports of receipts, ship-
ments, and tonnage of supplies awaiting shipment were prepared and forwarded

716 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

to the proper authorities. Deliveries on contracts were promptly reported to
the respective contracting officer. Acknowledgments were made to the several
depots of the receipt of supplies on depot shipments. 10 Receipts were required
from the Quartermaster Corps for supplies delivered to the ships. This
required that a record be kept, by items, of the articles received and shipped.
This record was kept on appropriate cards and balanced with every change in
the stock. 10 A car record was kept in a loose-leaf ledger ruled with appropriate
columns to show for every carload of supplies routed to the depot, the bill of
lading number, date, point of origin, car number, car initial, routing, date of
arrival, date unloaded, name of manufacturer, consignee, contract or order
number, depot or office directing shipment, commodities, numbers of packages
in car, quantities of articles, tally-in sheet number, and point of delivery, Pier
45, or other pier, shipside, etc. 10 Under existing instructions from the Surgeon
General, the original and memorandum copies of the bills of lading for ship-
ments to this depot were sent to the medical supply officer of the port. After
the organization of the vast hospital equipment section at Port Newark Termi-
nal, the bills of lading for the supplies routed directly to that point were sent
to the officer in charge of that section.

As the tally-in sheets were received in the records office they were copied
into a permanent register. The original tally-in sheet was then sent to the
contracts clerk, who compared it with the copy of the order or contract
furnished by the purchasing officer, and prepared an acknowledgement of the
receipt of the goods, which receipt was sent to the purchasing officer. This
clerk also prepared daily tonnage reports for the surgeon, port of embarkation,
and the Surgeon General. This report showed, by commodity groups, the
supplies on hand, received, shipped, and remaining at the close of the day's
business, and such other special data as might be required. The contracts
clerk also looked up references concerning correspondence, tracing shipments,
etc., and connected the correspondence with the contract and files. After all
pertinent data had been extracted from the tally-in sheet it was filed. 10

The duplicate tally-in sheet was routed to the section in charge of shipments.
Direct shipments from manufacturers were separated from shipments by medical
supply depots. Packages and boxes were numbered. A packer's list was pre-
pared for every lighter load sent out. This list was an itemized statement of
each transportation invoice, from which the ship's manifest was prepared. A
daily report was prepared in this section for the embarkation branch, storage
and traffic division, General Staff, showing what freight had arrived and what
had been loaded. Six copies of the transportation invoice were required.
Three of these copies were delivered to the captain of the ship, one was
delivered to the captain of the lighter, one was sent to the office at 45 Broad-
way, and one was retained. Attached to the retained copy was a copy of the
transportation receipt by the quartermaster for the supplies. A report of
tonnage on hand was made by telephone to the Shipping Board at 45 Broad-
way for its consolidated tonnage report. A daily report was made to the
Medical Department representative at 45 Broadway of the cars received and
unloaded. 10

ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH OVERSEAS TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 717

After the required data had been obtained by the shipments section, the
duplicate tally-in sheet was sent to the stock record clerk and posted to the
stock records, item by item. The transportation receipt of every lighter load
shipped also found its way to the stock records desk and was likewise posted,
which completed the transaction. 10

RECEIVING AND SHIPPING DEPARTMENTS

These two departments, for a number of months, were combined under
the supervision of one office but with a separate clerk for receiving and ship-
ping. When the business reached sufficient magnitude and the added require-
ments made it necessary these functions were separated and an officer was
assigned to each. The activities of the shipping department reached such
magnitude before the armistice that the services of two officers were required. 12

The receiving department maintained an adequate force of checkers to
receive and check all incoming shipments, whether delivered to Pier 45, the
ship side, or other point. For every such delivery, whether by car, truck,
or messenger, a tally-in sheet was prepared in duplicate. These sheets showed
for every delivery received the names of the consignor and consignee, com-
modity, cubic measurements, weight, contents, car number (including intitials),
truck delivery, and marks. Transportion invoices were prepared and dis-
tributed, and a record of outgoing supplies was maintained. 12

As an outgrowth of the establishment of the inland transportation service
the Medical Department maintained liaison officers in such of the regional
offices of that service as the needs required. One of these liaison officers was
assigned to the office at 45 Broadway. This representative checked arrivals
and locations of cars, secured space for medical and hospital supplies on the
transports, secured lighters and tugboats for the transfer of supplies from Pier
45 to ship side, and kept the medical supply officer of the port informed of the
names and locations of the ships upon which the supplies were to be loaded
and the approximate time the lighter was to be alongside the ship. The day
and hour of loading and the vessel upon which the supplies were to go could
never be determined until the last moment. This was due to delays in arrival
of the vessel in port upon which space had been assigned the Medical Depart-
ment, delays in making repairs when needed, the loading of a greater or lesser
quantity of supplies upon a ship than had been originally allotted. 12 A lighter
load of supplies destined, when it left the pier, for a specified ship might be
loaded wholly or in part on some other ship. It was never known at the depot
what vessel would actually carry the supplies until a copy of the loading report
or ship's manifest had been received. The final determination appeared to have
been made by the chief stevedore loading the ships. 12 Many difficulties and
inconveniences arose from this method of loading. Parts of the same shipment
would be unloaded at different ports in France. Units would be separated
from their equipment. The chief surgeon, A. E. F., in France never knew until
reports of unloading had been received from the ports where the supplies were
which had been listed in replenishment lists sent him previously. A vessel
expected to unload at Brest might discharge her cargo at Marseille. These

718 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

things, however, were beyond the jurisdiction of the port medical supply officer
and of the Medical Department. 13

The movement of medical and hospital supplies to this port began in July,
1917, and continued without interruption until the signing of the armistice.
During 1917, supplies were routed to Pier 45, for the initial equipment and stock
of the medical supply depot in France, for the initial equipment of the early divi-
sions ordered overseas, and 2,350 Ford ambulances. Due to the lack of ocean
tonnage at the port of New York and to higher priorities assigned to the shipment
of supplies of bureaus other than the Medical Department, the movement of
medical property overseas did not proceed as rapidly as had been expected.
Unprecedented weather conditions during December, 1917, and January, 1918,
materially hindered not only the movement of supplies to the ports but bunker
coal for the transport fleet as well.

By the middle of January, 1918, the accumulation of supplies at Pier 45,
North River, New York, had reached 2,037 short tons, occupying 341,406 cubic
feet of space. Very little relief as to this condition was in sight, for medical
supplies had been removed from the priority list. Supplies on the priority list
had accumulated at the port of New York in vast quantities and there were
not sufficient ships in port to receive them. The quantities of the supplies on
priority required all the space on prospective loadings and left little if any space
for medical supplies. 14 The chief of embarkation service could offer no relief
through other ports at that time because of lack of transportation. While
these supplies were not on the priority list, it was the intention to move a fair
proportion of them every week. 15

As the rigors of the winter subsided and more cargo space became avail-
able, medical property began to move in increasing volume. It reached its
height in October.

The keeping at this depot of accurate loading records of shipments over-
seas was always a difficult task. Vessels were loaded at so many different
points and the secrecy maintained over their loadings and sailings were such as
to require constant watchfulness on the part of the medical supply officer to
obtain needed information concerning the floating of medical property.

The commanding general, port of embarkation, Hoboken, N. J., forbade
the giving out of the names of the transports on which supplies were shipped, 16
so, in order to secure information concerning the articles and quantities on the
respective transports, arrangements were made by the medical supply officer,
Pier 45, to abstract the information from the file of ships' manifests kept in
the office of the receiving clerk, Pier 1, Hoboken, N. J. The marine freight
director required the lighters of medical property to be checked by package
numbers, by which the shipments could be traced. The data obtained from the
ships' manifests were kept in the confidential files at Pier 45. The quantities
of each article were simply reported as delivered to the transport service for
shipment. 19

A port storage officer was appointed October 2, 1918, to have exclusive
control of all port storage at the port of Hoboken. 17 All officers at that port,
except the depot quartermaster, having charge of the storage or distribution
of supplies for shipment overseas for any department, bureau, corps, or other

ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH OVERSEAS TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 719

agency of the War Department, and generally known as port supply officers,
were placed under the immediate orders of the port storage officer. No officer
was permitted to relinquish the functions previously assigned to him until some
other officer or official was prepared to assume such functions. 18 It was the
purpose of the port commander to relieve the port supply officers as such as
rapidly as the reorganization of the activities of the port would permit. 19 The
proposed reorganization had not been effected, in so far as it applied to the
Medical Department, at the signing of the armistice.

In spite of repeated instructions from the Surgeon General concerning the
routing of supplies through the port of embarkation, Hoboken, N. J., difficulty
continued to be experienced by the medical supply officer at that port in
securing copies of bills of lading. This was due primarily to the incorrect
terminal address given on them. Some of them contained the notation "Care
of Depot Quartermaster, Pier 12, East River," others "Care of Director of
Shipping," and still others "Care of Army Transport Service." This led to
aggravating delays in receiving the bills of lading and arrival notice, and gave rise
to unnecessary correspondence. 20 At that time these bills of lading were issued
by local quartermasters, whose personnel not only lacked familiarity with
consignment points but were overburdened with the number of such bills to be
written. This difficulty was eventually overcome by the appointment, June 22,
1918, of the medical supply officers, at the several depots, acting quartermasters
for the purpose of issuing bills of lading. 21

NEWPORT NEWS

The organization of the port of embarkation at Newport News, Va., began
early in July, 1917. The participation of the Medical Department in the
activities of this port began July 13, 1917, with the arrival of its representa-
tive for duty as port medical supply officer. 22

The commanding officer of the port advised the Surgeon General, July 19,
1917, that the port would be ready to receive supplies August 1, and requested
information at the earliest practicable date of the weight and cubic contents
of medical property intended for shipment through that port on the next con-
voy. No property could be received at that time except such supplies as were
to be shipped on that convoy. Housed storage space of 10,000 square feet on
the pier and 18,000 square feet in freight cars in the Chesapeake & Ohio Rail-
road yards were allotted to the Medical Department as its share of the existing
port facilities. This space was intended simply as a rest station for supplies
in transit during the few days which intervened between their arrival and their
loading on board ships. In addition to the closed storage, 5 acres of open-air
space was allotted for the reception of bulky equipment such as motor and
other vehicles which could be parked in the open. There were neither unload-
ing platforms, cranes, nor other machinery available for unloading heavy
equipment except that on the pier. 23

Request was made that medical property for overseas shipment be invoiced
to the proper officer with the American Expeditionary Forces and billed to the
medical supply officer, port of embarkation, Newport News, Va., each package

720 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

to be marked with the invoice number, the total number of packages in the
invoice, the serial number of the package, the depot making the shipment, and
the weight and cubic contents. It was considered essential that a copy of the
invoice, with notations thereon of the weight and cubic contents of the ship-
ment and the numbers and designations of the cars in which the packages
were loaded, be furnished the medical supply officer of the port. 23

Upon notification that there would be a primary port of embarkation
established at Newport News or Norfork, Va., the Surgeon General decided to
use it for the shipment of field medical equipment and supplies, including
motor ambulances, destined for the American Expeditionary Forces in France.
It was estimated that the volume of such supplies going forward monthly
would approximate 36,000 cubic feet on the assumption that four divisions
per month would be embarked.- 4

On the basis of this expected movement of supplies and equipment the
chief of the construction division, War Department, was requested, August 2,
1917, to provide 60,000 square feet of warehouse floor space for the Medical
Department at this place. 24 Since motor ambulances were not only bulky but
verv heavy, a boxed chassis weighing 4,000 pounds, it was requested that
the warehouses to be constructed be provided with suitable cranes, derricks,
or other machinery for handling heavy weights. 24 Of the storage space
requested, 50,000 square feet were required for embarkation purposes and 10,000
square feet for use as an issuing medical supply depot to troops. 25

It was foreseen that organizations arriving at that port, especially during
the early movements overseas, would be without complete equipment, in spite of
all instructions that troops be completely equipped before leaving their stations.
The medical supply depot at Newport News must be ready at all times, day or
night, to supply thesanitary materials required by organizations passing through.
Issues to such organizations were to be made on the approval of the surgeon of
the port of embarkation and without any special formality. 25

When the medical equipment of any organization arriving at the port was
found upon inspection to be unserviceable or obsolete, it was turned in to the
depot for renovation or salvage and new equipment issued in its stead. All
articles of equipment which could be utilized were salvaged. 26

These issues included not only those to troops themselves but also the
equipment and replenishments required by the troop ships upon which they
were transported. A list of initial equipment for troop ships was prepared by
the surgeon of the port and furnished the Surgeon General August 7, 1917. 27
This list was revised and somewhat modified. Instructions were issued to the
medical supply depots at New York and Washington to issue the supplies
required for 24 transport unit equipments in accordance with the revised list. 28

A sufficient number of overseas warehouses had been completed by the
end of January, 1918, to permit the assignment to the Medical Department of
the 50,000 square feet of space requested in the previous August. Buildings
Nos. 9, 10, and 1 1 were so assigned. Buildings 9 and 10 were 200 feet long by 100
feet wide. Building No. 11 was 100 feet long by 100 feet wide. These ware-
houses had suitable fire walls and were equipped with the Grinnell sprinkler

ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH OVERSEAS TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 721

system to prevent fire. These buildings were used entirely for storage. The
offices assigned to the port medical supply officer were located in the overseas
warehouses office building. A detachment of Medical Department enlisted
men for the operation of the medical supply activities at the port was organized
in January and trained as rapidly as practicable in their duties. Men originally
assigned who proved unsuitable were replaced by others with suitable qualifi-
cations as rapidly as the opportunities permitted. 29 Adequate warehouse
handling machinery such as hand trucks, electric trucks with extra platforms,
and gravity conveyors for boxes, were provided for each warehouse by the
port quartermaster upon request of the medical supply officer. 30

As might have been expected, the early shipments to this depot were
improperly marked and much effort and extra labor were required to locate
the property, determine where it belonged, and send it to the proper place.
The shipping depots at first failed to appreciate the dual function of this depot,
and it was often difficult to determine from the markings on the packages whether
they were intended for overseas shipment or for local use. Oftentimes the
shipment arrived before the packer's list or invoice. Sometimes the mark
"Medical Supply Officer, American Expeditionary Forces, France," was omit-
ted from packages intended for overseas shipment. By the middle of Septem-
ber, 1917, a deplorable state of confusion existed in freight handled by railroads
and steamships coming into that port and Norfolk. Much medical property
was secured only after personal search of docks, freight cars, and express offices. 31
The necessary instructions to remedy these defects were promptly issued by the
Surgeon General. Very little complaint on this subject thereafter was received
from this port. 32

For various reasons, but principally lack of cargo vessels, medical property
destined overseas accumulated at this port. By the end of November, 1917,
the accumulation exceeded 235,000 cubic feet and GGO short tons. Much of the
equipment was quite bulky, being assembled motor and animal drawn vehicles. 33

By Christmas, 1917, the situation had become sufficiently acute to call for
relief and an embargo was placed by the chief of embarkation service against
the shipment to that port of all supplies destined for overseas except subsist-
ence, forage, troop baggage, until January 4, 1918. 3i On January 3, 1918,
this embargo was extended by the director of storage and traffic until further
notice. 35

With the advent of the year 1918 and the increasing number of cargo
vessels, the congestion at the port cleared rapidly. On January 30,1918, the
medical supply officer reported that supplies were arriving in quantity and
that all medical property had been unloaded, was on the pier awaiting ship-
ment, and had been allotted cargo space, but that ships had not been loaded
on account of lack of bunker coal and nonarrival. 36

About the middle of February, 1918, however, the situation was clearing
rapidly. The supply depot was now in permanent quarters and ready for
rapid work; all medical supplies were being delivered to organizations. 37

With adequate storage and warehouse facilities at this port the Medical
Department organization there was prepared to handle rapidly and efficiently
30663—28 46

722 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

the movement of medical property overseas. In view of this condition the
Surgeon General requested, March 4, 1918, that the chief of embarkation
service permit shipments of medical supplies for overseas to Newport News as
these became available. It was desired to fill the warehouses with the supplies
then awaiting shipment. Such supplies were to be cleared by the medical
supply officer at the port in the same manner as they were then being cleared
at the port of embarkation, Hoboken. 38 Authority was granted March 13,
1918, by the chief of embarkation service to the Surgeon General to release
for shipment, without reference to his office, supplies to the warehouses assigned
to the Medical Department at Newport News in such quantities as could be
properly unloaded upon arrival and not to exceed the working capacity of the
storage space. 39

The personnel on duty at this depot, January 1, 1918, consisted of three
officers and four civilian employees. The civilian employees were concerned
primarily with administrative duties. With the developement of Camp Stuart
as an embarkation activity and the more active duties thrown upon the issue
branch of the medical supply depot, enlisted personnel were assigned to duty
thereat. 40 Various departments, warehouse, shipping, and dock, were organized
and trained. By the end of April the enlisted strength of the medical supply
detachment (including the issue branch) had reached 200. 41 The strength of
the detachment, by months, appears below, the large variations in numbers
being due to the presence of medical supply depot companies forming for over-

1918

February 29

March 89

April 198

May 160

June 318

1918

July 225

August 157

September 145

October 219

November 133

Originally, it was not intended by the Surgeon General to require the med-
ical supply officer at this port to assume accountability for medical property
consigned to the American Expeditionary Forces, or to render a return there-
for. Copies of invoices and packers' lists of such property were required to be
furnished to the port medical supply officer. It was contemplated that a com-
plete record of all articles of medical property loaded on transports would be
kept by the medical supply officer and a list furnished the Surgeon General
whenever called for. 25

In order to secure accurate information concerning medical property
shipped overseas, port medical supply officers were directed, May 7, 1918, to
furnish the Surgeon General monthly a consolidated statement of the supplies,
by items, forwarded from the port during the month. 43 From these consoli-
dated statements a single list was compiled showing total shipments from all
ports and forwarded to the chief surgeon, A. E. F., France.

As the shipments increased and supplies were received directly from con-
tractors, it became increasingly difficult to keep an accurate check on supplies
placed in transit by the purchasing depots, received at the port, and forwarded
overseas. The segregation of the different shipments required extra space;

ACTIVITIES COXXECTED WITH OVEBSEAS TRANSPOKTATION OF SUPPLIES 723

separate shipping invoices to transport quartermasters had to be prepared for
shipments coming from different depots. This gave rise to a recommendation
from the medical supply officer at this port that all Medical Department sup-
plies passing through the port be invoiced to the medical supply officer thereof;
that he receipt from them and invoice them to the medical supply officer, A.
E. F., whenever cargo space became available; and that the receipt from the
transport quartermaster be accepted as a credit voucher to the return." A
similar procedure under consideration by the War Department at the time was
later published in General Orders, No. 54, W. D., June 3, 1918. Instructions
for putting the plan into effect were sent to this depot in the following letter:

August 5, 1918.

From: The Surgeon General.

To: The port medical officer, Newport News, Va.

Subject: Shipments destined for overseas.

1. Beginning with the month of August, all supplies pertaining to the Medical Depart-
ment shipped overseas through the port of Newport News will be invoiced to you. These
supplies will be marked "For the Officer in Charge, Medical Supply Depot, American
Expeditionary Forces, France," "England," or elsewhere as service conditions may require.
Packages and invoices both will contain sufficient and definite numbers and marks to enable
you to identify them.

a. As these supplies are delivered to you, receipt will be accomplished promptly as
required in paragraph 496, Manual for the Medical Department, 1916. The face of the
receipt may be stamped "In original packages, contents not verified." Duplicate copies of
packers' lists will be furnished by the shipping officers. Against these packers' lists you will
check the, number of boxes received and forward one copy of the packers' lists to this office,
attention Lieut. F. A. Dagit, S. C. This list should show thereon the dates of receipt of the
several packages.

3. When these supplies are turned over to the Transport Service, and itemized shipping
invoice made out on Form 600, War Department, or similar blank, will lie delivered to the
shipping authorities. Such number of copies as may be required by the transport (embar-
kation) service will be furnished that service. Three additional copies will be prepared,
one of which will be forwarded to this office, attention Lieutenant Dagit, one to the finance
and supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., France (England, or elsewhere) and
one to the officer in charge, medical supply depot A. E. F., France (England, or elsewhere).

4. The receipt on the copy of invoice sent to this office should bear the signature of
an authorized representative of the transport service. This invoice will be accepted as a
credit voucher to your return of medical property. These shipping invoices will be
numbered serially beginning with the first supplies turned over during the month of August,
and continue in consecutive numbers thereafter. These numbers will be preceded by the
letter "S"; for example, 8-1; S-85; S-162, etc.

5. Your receipts for the property will bear a serial number preceded by the letter "R";
for example, R-l; R-45; R-143, etc. Your first receipt during the month of August will
be Xo. 1 irrespective of the date when the supplies were shipped.

6. These two series of numbers are necessary in order to enable this office to determine
definitely whether all copies of both series have been received. Previous instructions to
the contrary are modified accordingly.

7. Accomplished receipts and shipping invoices should be forwarded to this office as
promptly as possible.

8. Submit with the least practical delay your estimate of the additional personnel
required by you to put these instructions into effect.

As at the port of Hoboken, the operating agencies of the port of Newport
News were organized, pursuant to instructions from the port commander, early
in September, 1918, 45 to conform to the requirements of General Orders, No. 54,

724 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

War Department, -Tune 3, 1918. A port storage officer was appointed, with
executive control of all storage facilities at the port operated for the joint use
of the several supply bureaus. The representatives of these bureaus were
designated port supply officers. The representative of the Medical Department
became the port medical supply officer.

OTHER PORTS

Embarkation depots were established at Boston, Mass.; Philadelphia, Pa.;
Charleston, S. C; and New Orleans, La. 46 Supplies were also shipped from
several other southern ports, Galveston, Tex., Mobile, Ala., and Brunswick, Ga.,
but no definite embarkation depots were established at them.

While the Medical Department had not requested storage space at Boston,
Mass., the manufacturing problem in that area early in 1918 had developed a
need of a warehouse there for the storage of finished products, such as surgical
dressings, bedsteads, mattresses, hospital furniture, and other hospital equip-
ment. The director of storage and traffic was informed March 8, 1918, that
the Medical Department could use at the port of Boston approximately 50,000
square feet of inclosed heated storage space for such supplies destined overseas.
The port of Boston, however, was never extensively used by the Medical
Department as an embarkation depot.

At the port of Charleston, S. C, 100,000 square feet of inclosed storage
space was requested in March, 1918. It was considered a desirable point to
receive supplies manufactured west of the Allegheny Mountains because they
could be shipped there without passing through any of the congested districts.
The congested traffic centers for the most part were Buffalo, N. Y., Pittsburgh,
Pa., Baltimore, Md.; and Norfolk and Newport News. There were ample
railroad facilities entering Charleston which connected with all points in the
Mississippi Valley. This depot had been completed, space allotted to the
Medical Department, a medical supply officer assigned and on duty, and some
medical and hospital supplies received before the need for such a depot
terminated. No considerable quantity of such supplies was ever shipped from
that port.

Because of the change of location and the increase in the storage space in
the Philadelphia medical supply depot in the summer of 1918, not much space
was required at the embarkation depot, Pier 38, in that city. An officer of the
Medical Department was stationed at the pier to look after medical property
loading there for overseas.

It was found advisable in the latter months of 1918 to have an officer of
the Medical Department assigned to duty at the embarkation depots at Balti-
more, Md., and New Orleans, La., to look after the medical property passing
through these ports and to keep the Surgeon General advised of the arrival and
shipment of such property.

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Quartermaster General, June 4, 1917. Subject:

Storage accommodations at ports of embarkation. On file, Finance and Supply
Division, S. G. O., 11,231-18.

(2) Special Orders, No. 141, W. D., June 19, 1917.

ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH OVERSEAS TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 725

(3) Fourth indorsement from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, June 20, 1917,

on letter from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, June 9, 1917.
Subject: Storage accommodations at ports of embarkation. On file, Finance and
Supply Division, S. G. O., 14,690-J.

(4) Letter from the General Superintendent, Army Transport Service, to the Quarter-

master General, July 18, 1917. Subject: Pier 45, North River, New York, N. Y.,
and first indorsement of the Quartermaster General thereon. Copy on tile, Finance
and Supply Division, S. G. O., 738.

(5) Third indorsement from the Surgeon General to the Quartermaster General, July 21,

1917, relative to the lease of Lamport & Holt Pier, Hoboken, N. J. On file, Record
Room, S. G. O., 192,247.

(6) Memorandum from the Surgeon, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken, N. J., to the com-

manding general of that port, August 7, 1917, relative to the dock space assigned
to the Medical Department, and a medical supply officer for that port. Copy on

file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,

(7) Confidential Orders, No. 12, W. D. July 9, 1917, par. 6. On file, Personnel Section, S.

G. O.

(8) Letter from Chief of Embarkation Service to the commanding general, Port of Embar-

kation, Hoboken, August 31, 1917: Subject: Medical supply depot at New York.
Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(9) Ninth indorsement from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, June 14, 1918,

on a report of an inspection of the medical supply depot, Pier 45, North River, New
Y'ork, N. Y., May 7, 1918. Copy on file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
583-53 9 N. Y.
104

(10) Fourth indorsement from the medical supply officer, Pier 45, North River, New Y'ork,

N. Y., to the Surgeon, Port of Embarkation, May 23, 1918, on report of an inspec-
tion of medical supply depot, Pier 45, North River, New York, N. Y., made May 7,

1918. Copy on file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ' ,"

(11) Report of an inspection, medical supply officer, Pier 45, North River, New York, N. Y.,

583-539 N. Y.

May 7, 1918. Copy on file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., .-„7 — — '-•

(12) Verbal statements made to the author by Maj. Paul W. Gibson, M. C, the medical

supply officer at Pier 45, North River, New York, X. Y., July 9, 1917, to November
30, 1918.

(13) Verbal reports made at various times to the author by representatives of the Finance

and Supply Division, Chief Surgeon's Office, A. E. F., France.

(14) Letter from the surgeon, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken, N. J., January 17, 1918.

Subject: Supplies, Pier 45, North River, New York, N. Y. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O., — 8 „

(15) First indorsement of Chief of Embarkation Service, January 25, 1918, to the Surgeon

General, concerning shipment of supplies on Pier 45, North River, New York, N. Y.

580—340
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., „„

(16) Letter from the medical supply officer, Pier 45, North River, New York, N. Y., to the

Surgeon General, January 28, 1918. Subject, Freight reports. On file, Finance

i a i ™- • • a n r, 583-539
and Supply Division, S. G. U., — ^o

(17) Circular No. 94, Storage and Traffic Division, General Staff, September 29, 1918.

(18) General Orders, No. 119, Headquarters, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken, N. J., October

, _ , „ „ 750-138 Ch . of Staff

2,1918. Copv on file, Finance and Supply Division, 8. G. O., - — g g — — •

726 FINANCE AXD SUPPLY

(19) Letter from Lieut. Col. P. W. Gibson, M. C, Pier 46, North River, New York, N. Y.,

to Col. C. R. Darnall, M. C, S. G. O., October 5, 1918, relative to the reorganiza-
tion, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken, N. J. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
a o r. 750-138 Ch. of Staff

S. G. O., ^

(20) Letter from the medical supply officer, Pier 45, North River, New York, N. Y., to the

Surgeon General, May 6, 1918. Subject: Bills of lading and markings. On file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — 3 {5p^-

(21) Special Orders, No. 146, War Department, June 22, 1918.

(22) Confidential Orders, No. 12, War Department, June 9, 1917. Also: Personal report of

Capt. Edwin C. Jones, M. C, July 13, 1917, reporting his arrival for duty. On file,
Personnel Division Records, S. G. O.

(23) Letter from the commanding officer, Port of Embarkation, Newport News, Va., to the

Surgeon General, July 19, 1917. Subject: Medical supplies for overseas shipment.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ' p

(24) First indorsement from the Surgeon General to The Adjutant General, August 2, 1917,

on a letter from the Chief, Construction Division, Quartermaster General's Office,
July 19, 1917, for the amount of storage accommodations required by the Medical
Department at Newport News, Va. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. 0.,
583-5 3 8 N N
1

(25) Letter from Maj. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., to Captain E. C. Jones, M. C, New-

port News, Va., August 4, 1917, relative to medical supply Division, S. G. 0.,
583-538 _N N
2

(26) Letter from medical officer, Newport News, Va., to the Surgeon General, January 18,

1918. Subject: Partly unserviceable and obsolete equipment turned in. On file,
Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 583 ~ 538 N N .

(27) Letter from the surgeon, port of embarkation, Newport News, Va., to the Surgeon

General, August 7, 1917. Subject: Tentative list of supplies for Army transports.

On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O ., 583 ^ 538 N N .

(28) Letter from the Surgeon General's Office to the medical supply officers, New York,

N. Y., and Washington, D. C, August 20, 1917. Subject: Issue of supplies to

Newport News, Va. On file. Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,

583-538 N N

1

(29) Letters from the port medical supply officer, Newport News, Va., January 29 and
February 6, 1918, to the Surgeon General. Subject: Conditions at that port. On
file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 583_538 N N

91

(30) Memorandum from the medical supply officer, Newport News, Va., to the assistant

quartermaster, February 13, 1918. Subject: Request for equipment. Copy on file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O 583 ~ 538 N N

96

(31) Letter from the medical supply officer, Port of Embarkation, Newport News Va to

the Surgeon General, September 21, 1917. Subject: Errors in packers' lists and
marking packages. Also: First indorsement thereon by the surgeon of the port,
September 21, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 583 ~ 53 8 N N .

(32) Letter from the Surgeon General, to the medical supply officers, New York N Y

Washington, D. C, and St. Louis, Mo., September 28, 1918. Subject- Errors in
packers' lists and marking packages. On file, Finance and Supply Division S G O
583 -538 N N yv ' ,v ' 8,on > °- "" "'

20

ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH OVERSEAS TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 727

(33) Letter from Maj. E. C. Jones, M. C, medical supply officer, Port of Embarkation,

Newport News, Va., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., November 24, 1917,

reporting medical property on hand at Newport News. On file, Finance and Supply

„. . . Q „ „ 583-538 N N
Division, S. G. O., — -™ •

(34) Letter from the Chief of Embarkation Service to the Surgeon General, December 26,

1917. Subject: Embargo on overseas freight. On file, Finance and Supply Divi-

c „ „ 583-130

sion, S. G. O., — =7

(35) Letter from the Director, Storage and Traffic, to the Surgeon General, January 3, 1918.

Subject: Embargo on overseas freight. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

« n n 583- 130
8. G. O., — ^

(36) Letter from Capt. R. A. La Grinder, San. Corps, port medical supply officer, Newport

News, Va., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C, S. G. O., January 30, 1918. Subject:
Conditions at that port. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
583-538 N N
91

(37) Letter from Capt. R. A. La Grinder, San. Corps, to Col. Edwin P.Wolfe, M. C, S. G.

O., February 16, 1918. Subject: Report on conditions at port of Newport News,

583—538 n n
Va. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., - — gg

(38) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Chief, Embarkation Service, March 4, 1918.

Subject: Storage space at Newport News, Va. On file, Finance and Supply Divi-
sion, S. G. O., 583-538 N N

(39) Letter from the Director, Embarkation Service, to the Surgeon General, March 13,

1918. Subject: Storage space, Newport News, Va. On file, Finance and Supply

n; . ■ a „ ~ 583-538 N N
Division, S. G. O., ==

(40) Letters from the medical supply officer, Newport News, Va., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe,

M. C, S. G. O., January 30, 1918, and February 16, 1918. Subject: Report of con-
ditions at Newport News, Va. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
583-538 N N
91 and 98

(41) Letter from the medical supply officer, Newport News, Va., to Col. Edwin P. Wolfe,

M. C, S. G. O., May 7, 1918. Subject: Personal requirements. On file, Finance

. a , _. . . -, „ n 583-538 N N
and Supply Division, S. G. O., r™

(42) Returns of enlisted personnel, Medical Department, for months stated. On file,

Enlisted Personnel Section, S. G. O.

(43) Letter from the Surgeon General to medical supply officer, port of embarkation, Pier

45, New York, N. Y., and Newport News, Va., May 7, 1918. Subject: Monthly
report of shipments. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 583-Miscl.

(44) Letter from the medical supply officer, Newport News, Va., to the Surgeon General,

April 20, 1918. Subject: invoicing and handling supplies for overseas. On file,

in ^ q , ™ • • a n r> 583-538 N N

finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., jq- —

(45) General Orders, No. 325, Headquarters, Port of Embarkation, Newport News, Va.,

September 4, 1918. Copy on file, Finance and Supply Division, 8. G. O.,
750-138 G. S.
'.12

(46) Annual Report of the Chief of the Transportation Service, 1919, 94.

CHAPTER XLIII
SHIPPING REGULATIONS

The early shipments of Medical Department equipment and supplies to
the American Expeditionary Forces in France were made in precisely the
same manner as those consigned to troops in our insular possessions or other
domestic distribution. The packages, marked for the medical supply officer,
A. E. F., were turned over to the local quartermaster with the necessary
shipping papers; i. e., invoice of medical property, delivered to the Quarter-
master Corps for transportation. There were no restrictions. The custody
and destiny of the supplies were thereafter a responsibility of the Quartermaster
Corps until finally delivered to the consignee. The depot quartermaster at
Washington forwarded the supplies from the field medical supply depot to the
port of embarkation indicated in his instructions. The depot quartermaster
in New York City did likewise for the New York medical supply depot.

The application of this principle to the movement of supplies and equip-
ment of all the supply bureaus of the War Department resulted in placing in
transit greater quantities of supplies than the facilities of the Army at the
port could handle. The majority of these early shipments were routed through
the port of New York. Ships were not available to receive them. Storage
facilities, even after the taking over of the North German Lloyd Docks, were
inadequate to care for them. To facilitate the unloading of cars and the
delivery of the supplies to the transports the general superintendent, Army
Transport Service, submitted to the Quartermaster General in July, 1917, cer-
tain recommendations. 1 These recommendations were, in substance, that all
shipments exceeding 15,000 pounds, destined for the American Expeditionary
Forces in France and going through the port of New York, be routed in care
of the general superintendent, Army Transport Service, 42 Pearl Street, New
York Lighterage, and bills of lading made to read accordingly. Shipments of
supplies of less than 15,000 pounds should be forwarded to the general super-
intendent, Army Transport Service, Pier No. 1, Hoboken, N. J., and bills of
lading drawn accordingly.

Soon after the establishment of the embarkation service instructions
governing the shipment of supplies to ports of embarkation were issued by
the chief of that service. These instructions required that a formal release or
authority to ship and designation of the port be obtained from the chief of
embarkation service for all shipments exceeding 20 tons. For the reception
of such shipments a limited amount of storage space at both of the primary
ports of embarkation was allotted to each of the supply bureaus. The space
so allotted varied according to the volume of supplies expected to be furnished
by the respective supply bureaus. The space so provided was intended for

729

731) FINANCE AND SUPPLY

the reception of supplies for immediate loading for shipment overseas. The
covered storage allotted the Medical Department for this purpose was 15,000
square feet at Hoboken, N. J., and 7,000 square feet at Newport News. 2

Some of the supply bureaus had already acquired storage space at the port
for their own use in addition to that allotted to them from the general or
common storage space already mentioned. In such cases the supply bureau
having its own storage space was authorized and urged to keep a reasonable
amount of it filled at all times with supplies available for immediate loading.
Releases, nevertheless, were required for all shipments to such storage where
the quantities exceeded 10 tons. These releases were granted with the
understanding that the freight cars in which shipped would be promptly
unloaded to avoid congestion at the port. 2

Shipments of less than 10 tons could be placed in transit to the port with-
out obtaining a release from the chief of embarkation service. Small amounts
of storage space at each of the ports of embarkation were set aside for the
reception of such shipments. To the Medical Department there were alloted
for this purpose at Hoboken 2,000 square feet and at Newport News 2,000
square feet. Such shipments were to be routed to the nearer of the two ports
at which space was available. This space was to be kept filled with supplies. 2

The weight and volume in cubic feet calculated on outside measurement
was required to be stenciled on the outside of every box, bundle, crate, or pack-
age placed in transit for overseas shipment. The same information was
required to appear on all bills of lading, whether Government or commercial,
on which such shipments were made. 2

Daily reports were required by the chief of embarkation service of freight
ordered overseas but not actually placed in transit, in transit to ports of
embarkation, at ports of embarkation, and loaded on ships at ports of embar-
kation. Daily abstracts of this information compiled separately for each port
were also required. 2 These instructions were revised and published in circular
form by The Adjutant General, November 12, 1917.

Upon representation by the Surgeon General that the Medical Depart-
ment was operating supply depots at both of the primary ports of embarkation,
shipments of medical and hospital supplies to those ports were exempted
from the requirements of a transportation order, as appears in the following
correspondence :

In reply refer to E. 8. No. 541.2 Medical Supplies.

Wak Department,
Chief of Embarkation Service,

Office of the Chief of Staff,

Washington, March 16, 1918.
From: Embarkation branch, storage and traffic division of the General Staff.
To: Director of inland transportation.
Subject: Release of medical supplies.

1. Authority has been given to the Surgeon General to release until further notice
medical supplies to Pier 45, North River, New York.

2. This pier is in the entire charge of the Medical Department and the release of freight
to that pier has been authorized, provided it can be promptly unloaded and held on the pier
awaiting shipment overseas.

ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH OVERSEAS TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 731

3. This office maintains a check on the movement of freight by securing from the
Surgeon General a report each day of freight released, put in transit, and the amount of
storage space available and cars on hand at Pier 45.

4. It will not, therefore, be necessary to pass requests for transportation orders
through this office for freight destined to Pier 45.

By authority of the Director of Embarkation:

(Signed) R. C. Morse, Jr.,

No. 531.71— In. Tpn.

Major, Q. M. R. C.
March 18, 1918.

From: Director of inland transportation.
To: Surgeon General, United States Army, Washington, D. C.

Subject: Exemption from embargo, medical supply depot, port of embarkation, Pier 45,
North River, New York, and Newport News, Va.

1. Acknowledging receipt of your 750-719 25, of March 18, attached hereto is copy of
letter which this division has to-day received from the embarkation branch of the storage
and traffic division of the General Staff, in which a blanket release is given for the
movement of medical supplies until further notice, consigned to Pier 45, North River,
New York.

2. We are also to-day in receipt of copy of letter addressed to yourself by the embarka-
tion branch of the storage and traffic division of the General Staff, assigning to the Medical
Department at Newport News 50,000 square feet of storage and stating that this will be
proper authority to release, without further reference to the embarkation bureau, of supplies
consigned to this warehouse in such quantities as can properly be unloaded on arrival and
not to exceed the working capacity of the storage space.

3. This division will therefore arrange as early as possible for the free movement of
medical supplies to New York and Newport News, as indicated in the above referred to
communications.

H. M. Adams,
Director of Inland Transportation, War Department,

By O. H. Parsley.

This exemption was published in supplement No. 1, May 1, 1918, to Order
No. 2, inland traffic service, and in each of the succeeding supplements of
August 10, 1918, and October 1, 1918, to that order. This exemption, together
with the presence in medical supply depots of Medical Department personnel
acting as field representatives of the inland traffic service, gave the Surgeon
General practically a free hand in the movement of medical property to the
ports for transportation overseas. There was close cooperation between the
transportation branch, finance and supply division of the Surgeon General's
Office, and the Car Service Bureau of the American Railway Administration,
through regional directors.

Through its close liasion with the office of the chief of embarkation service
and close cooperation with that office, the transportation branch of the
Surgeon General's Office was permitted to write the releases for shipments
consigned to the American Expeditionary Forces without reference to the
embarkation service. 3

In issuing supplies the custom had grown up at the several medical supply
depots of numbering outgoing packages of each shipment to any destination
beginning with the number 1 and using consecutive numbers until all packages
in that shipment had been numbered. Beyond the name of the issuing depot
and the number of the package, there were no marks by which the packages
in any shipment could be identified with the invoice or packer's list to which

732 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

it pertained. This gave rise to considerable confusion in the medical supply
depots in the American Expeditionary Forces, because several shipments would
arrive there at the same time, having many packages with the same number
on them. Original packages could be fairly readily identified because the
contents were marked on the outside by the manufacturer in compliance with
the terms of the contract. But there was no way of identifying boxes with
miscellaneous contents which had been packed at the depots.

At our overseas ports of debarkation, too, confusion arose in the segregation
of incoming supplies belonging to the several supply bureaus. The stevedores
and freight handlers, many of them Portuguese and Chinese, could not read the
markings on the various packages and, consequently, could not sort them.
They could learn, however, to recognize the symbols of the several supply
bureaus and sort the property in accordance therewith. Medical property was
not so marked. This gave rise to the recommendations from headquarters,
September 20, 1917, that, to facilitate identification of property, boxes contain-
ing medical supplies be marked with one red cross; that boxes containing
dental supplies be marked with two red crosses; and that boxes containing
veterinary supplies be marked with three red crosses. 4

On September 24, 1917, General Pershing made the following further
recommendations to War Department concerning the shipment of supplies to
the American Expeditionary Forces: 5

* * * Request that instructions be given to all bureaus and agencies of the War
Department to have their property marked as follows:

"General Superintendent, Army Transport Service, giving port of embarkation."

This address to be followed by marking indicating the particular corps or department

of the Army for which intended, including the words "American Expeditionary Forces,

France." If not intended for general supply, marking should be included in (thus, for

Quartermaster Corps, American Expeditionary Forces) "For laundry plants " or "For shoe

repair shops" or "For motor transport repair shops" or "For base depot , if known.

There should be also * * * included in * * * the marking a general statement of
contents of each package; thus, " Toilet soap, carbon 30-inch searchlight, telegraph sounder,"
and the shipment numbered, the number of packages in the shipment, the particular number
of each package, the weight of each package, and the volume of each package in cubic feet.

In conformity with this cablegram the following method of marking Medi-
cal Department packages for overseas was prescribed by the Surgeon General,
October 4, 1917 : 6

Until further orders it is directed that all supplies for overseas shipment be marked
as follows:

(a) Officer in charge, medical supply depot, American Expeditionary Forces, France.

(6) Care of medical supply officer, port of embarkation.

(c) Name of port of embarkation.

{d) Contents of package.

(e) The number of each package.

(/) The number of packages in the shipment.

(g) The weight of the package.

(h) The volume of each package (cubic feet).

(i) Red cross.

0) Name of depot making shipment.

For example, a package shipped by the field medical supply depot, by way of New
York, to the medical supply depot in France should be marked as follows:

ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH OVERSEAS TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 733

"Officer in Charge, Medical Supply Depot, American Expeditionary Forces, France.

" Care of Medical .Supply Officer, Port of Embarkation, Pier 45, North River, New York.
N. Y. (lighterage free).

"Surgical Dressings.

"No. 17 of 874.

" Weight 142 pounds— 6J^ cubic feet.

" ( From Field Medical Supply Depot, Washington, D. C. )."

This method of marking is suggested in a cable from the commander of the American
forces in France, who states that there has been much difficulty in identifying supplies.

Bills of lading should be made out to the general superintendent, American transport
service, port of embarkation, and a copy of each bill of lading should be sent to the medical
supply officer, port of embarkation.

These instructions, while facilitating the segregation of supplies at the
ports of debarkation, failed to improve, materially, the situation at the medical
supply depots. Complaints of inability to determine readily the shipment to
which any package pertained continued to be received. The foregoing instruc-
tions were amended December 19, 1917, as follows: 7

Referring to letter from this office dated October 4, 1917, in regard to the marking of
packages of supplies for shipment to France, you are advised that beginning January 1,
1918, the instructions contained therein will be superseded by the following:

Until further orders it is directed that all supplies for overseas shipment be marked as
follows:

(a) Officer in charge, medical supply depot, American Expeditionary Forces, France.

(b) Care of medical supply officer, port of embarkation.

(c) Name of port of embarkation.

(d) Contents of package.

(e) Number of each package.
(/) Date of packer's list.

(g) Weight of package.

(h) Volume of each package (cubic feet).

{i) One red cross (for New York depot). Two red crosses in juxtaposition (for Wash-
ington depot) Three red crosses in juxtaposition (for St. Louis depot).

(j) Name of depot making shipment.

For example: A package shipped by the field medical supply depot by way of New
York to the medical supply depot, France, should be marked as follows:

"The Officer in Charge, Medical Supply Depot, American Expeditionary Forces,
France.

"Care of the Medical Supply Officer, Port of Embarkation, Pier 15, North River, New
York, N. Y. (Lighterage free).

" Surgical dressings. No. 17 . Jan. 24, 18. Weight, 142 lbs.— 6H cu. ft. From

Field Medical Supply Depot, Washington, D. C."

There has been difficulty overseas in identifying packages bearing numbers only,
because of the fact that parts of several shipments may arrive at the same time at the
depot, and consequently there may be several packages bearing the same numbers. In
order to overcome this difficulty, each package will be marked with the date of the packer's
list. It is suggested that, if practicable, the invoices sent be given the same date as the
packer's list.

Bills of lading should be made out to the general superintendent, Army Transport
Service, port of embarkation, and a copy of each bill of lading should be sent to the medi-
cal supply officer, port of embarkation.

Arrangements should be made to put this system of marking into effect on the first
shipment from your depot after January 1, 1918.

To facilitate the marking with the red crosses, pasters were printed and
furnished the several depots in sufficient numbers to permit the application of

734

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

two, one at each end, to every box shipped. Since the American Red Cross
also was shipping supplies in considerable quantities, having a red cross upon
them, a design consisting of a combination of the red cross and the caduceus
was adopted as the insignia for Medical Department supplies.

The foregoing instructions remained in force until April, 1918, when they
were superseded by those prescribed in General Orders, No. 34, War Department,
April 11, 1918. In order that this system of marking might bo fully under-
stood and observed, the following adaptation of General Order No. 34, as
amended June 10, 1918, to the marking of medical property, was printed in
June, 1918, and distributed to all persons furnishing supplies to the Medical
Department, and continued in force until the end of the war:
Compiled from General Order No. 34.

Received April 18, 1918. Revised Juno 10, 1918.
War Department,
Washington, April 11, 1918.

1. The following standard markings shall be used on all freight packages intended for
oversea shipment to the United States forces in Europe, including packages accompanying
troops.

STANDARD MARKINGS

(1) Country of debarkation. — All packages to be shipped overseas to the American
Expeditionary Forces in Europe shall before shipment be marked in the center of the face
of package or tags with the letters "A. E. F. " in an equilateral triangle, thus:

A

Each side of the triangle shall be approximately one-fourth the width of the marking
surface, but shall not, on any package, exceed 24 inches — pasters furnished by Medical
Department.

(2) Port of embarkation. — This shall be the name of the United States port through
which the supplies are to be shipped overseas. Indicate by marking above the triangle,
thus: ("Via Xew York, Pier 45"), or ("Via Philadelphia, Pier 38").

(3) Shipments to specific depots or organization units. — This shall be the name of the
depot or organization unit to which the supplies are to be delivered overseas, and shall be
used only when a package is intended for a specific organization or is assigned to a port of
debarkation for a specific purpose. Indicate by marking below the triangle, thus:
("Medical Supply Depot, France"), or ("Surgeon Base Se^tiun No. 3, England").

(4) U. S. number. — This shall be the number officially assigned to a shipment by the
embarkation service or such other agencies as may be empowered by the Embarkation Service
to designate such numbers. The U. S. number shall consist of five parts:

(a) The letters U. S. indicating United States property.
(6) Figures representing the month and day of month.

(c) A code letter (or letters) indicating the organization unit originating such number.

(d) Three figures indicating the number of the shipment authorized during a day, each
day's designations commencing with "001."

(c) A package number — separated from preceding figures by a dash — the packages in
eacli shipment being numbered from 1 up.

For example, U. S. 601-M-327— 14 would represent the three hundred and twenty
seventh shipment authorized by the Medical Department (indicated by " M ") on June 1 and
the fourteenth package of that shipment. If the first part of number were U. S. 1214, etc., it

ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH OVERSEAS TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 735

would indicate a shipment authorized on December 14. This number need not be marked
on packages containing subsistence supplies, but shall appear on all transportation papers
relating to such commodities. Indicate by marking this number, in its entirety, in upper
right-hand corner of face of package or tags.

(5) Group (lot) shipment and package numbers. — These shall be used only when it is
necessary or desirable that a number of packages, all forming a part of the same group
shipment, should be forwarded together, such as base hospital or X-ray unit. The group
shipment number shall be assigned by the Surgeon General and shall definitely identify the
particular group shipment. Indicate b}- marking in the lower right-hand corner of face of
package or tags the words "Group shipment," and immediately thereunder the group ship-
ment number followed by the package number and the number of packages. All packages
included in a group shipment shall be given a consecutive package number which shall be
marked above the total number of packages in the group, thus:

Group shipment
14
1201— IS

which indicates package number 14 of 18 packages included in group shipment No. 1201.
Group (lot) number may, in addition, be placed on the ends of the cases if desired.

(6) Weight. — This shall be the total weight in pounds when package is complete for
shipment. Indicate by marking in the lower left-hand corner of face of package or tags,
thus: "220 lbs." Weight need not be marked on packages containing subsistence supplies.

(7) Cubic volume. — This shall be the cubical contents of package when complete for
shipment. Indicate by marking the nearest whole number of cubic feet in the lower left-
hand corner of face of package or tags, immediately beneath the weight of package, thus:
"04 eu. ft." Cubic volume need not be marked on packages containing subsistence supplies.

(8) Corps number. — This is the requisition, item, contract, order, invoice, or manifest
number, or such combinations thereof as may be designated by the respective corps. Indi-
cate by marking such numbers in the upper left-hand corner of face of package or tags.

9. Corps insignia or symbol. — This is the insignia of corps to which the shipment is to
be forwarded. Indicate by marking such insignia on both ends of package or on reverse
side of tags (furnished by Medical Department).

(10) Description of Contents. — This is the quantity and description (name, size, style,
etc.) of each article contained in package. Indicate by marking on both ends of package
at top or on reverse side of tags, thus: "Field chest," "Bandages — gauze — 20 boxes," etc.

(a) When there are, in one package, a number of different articles or a number of
different sizes of the same kind of article, the contents must be listed on a "packers list,"
which shall be either (6) pasted on both ends of package and then varnished, or (c) placed in
moisture-proof envelopes attached to both ends of package, securely fastened witli live
large head tacks.

(11) Name of shipper. — This is the name of depot, contract, or other person by whom
the supplies are forwarded. Where supplies are shipped by a United States inspector at
point of production, the name of producing contractor shall be shown as shipper. Indicate
by marking below insignia or symbol on botli ends of package or on reverse side of tags,
thus: " From John Doe & Co."

(12) Date of delivery. — This is the date of original delivery to the United States
Government. It shall be used only on packages of perishable supplies. Indicate by marking
day, month, and year of such delivery immediately above the name of shipper on both
ends of packages or on reverse side of tags.

General supplies.— PnrU of machinery, structural shapes, and similar material will be
marked as prescribed in each particular instance according to prearranged schedules
of packing. Metal tags containing information necessary for the rendering of proper
reports of loading and arrival at docks will be attached invariably to such commodities.

Duplicate markings. — There shall be inclosed within each package a card of sufficient
size on which shall be recorded in legible characters all the standard markings, established
by this general order, appearing on the face and ends of the package, so that if all or any

736 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

of the exterior markings are obliterated or defaced the package will contain ample direction
which will insure the required delivery to its destination.

General instructions relating to marking. — No advertising matter shall appear on
packages.

Stenciling is preferable to hand marking. The height of letters shall conform to the
size and character of package, but shall not be less than one inch, except on very small
packages. Use only United States standard stencil black. For marking machinery parts,
structural steel or similar commodities use paint cither white or of the corps color. All
markings shall be protected by a coating of clear spar varnish.

Where bales or crates are used, the standard system of marking shall prevail. At
least two tough cloth or metal shipping tags, provided by Medical Department, giving the
required standard information shall be attached by wire to such packages so as to prevent
loss in transit. If nature of article or covering permits, or special facilities are provided,
such as a square white cloth held in place by baling straps, the marking shall appear thereon.
Cloth or metal tags, as designated above, shall be used when tags are attached to the face
of packages in the place of the use of stenciling.

Where no containers are used for shipment of commodities, as in the case of a chassis
or body of an automobile or a complete automobile, at least two shipping tags, conforming
to the above requirements, shall be attached in such manner as to prevent loss in transit.
Entries shall be made on such tags in accordance with the standard markings. These
shipping tags arc required in addition to any corps, section, or service, name or other data
painted, perforated, or otherwise marked on motor vehicles or similar equipment.

Copies of the foregoing instructions shall be furnished each shipper in ample time for
use in making his initial shipment.

REFERENCES

(1) Letter from General Superintendent, Army Transport Service, New York, to the

Quartermaster General, July 16, 1917. Subject: Overseas shipments. Copy on file,

Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., — -5

(2) Circular letter. Chief of Embarkation Service, September 11, 1917. On file, Record

Room, S. G. O., 188,699.

(3) Statement of Maj. F. W. Lennox, San. Corps, March 14, 1921, to Col. E. P. Wolfe. On

file, Finance and Supply Division, 8. G. O., unnumbered.

(4) Cablegram from Maj. Gen. John J. Pershing, to The Adjutant General, Washington,

250
September 20, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -jr—

(5) Cablegram, signed Pershing, to The Adjutant General, Washington, September 24, 1917.
1 6) Letter, containing instructions for Medical Supply Officer, Port of Embarkation, Pier

45, North River, New York and Newport News, Va., etc., from Office of the Surgeon

General to the Medical Supply Officer, October 4, 1917. Subject: Marking for

250
overseas shipments. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., ._ •

(7) Letter from the Surgeon General to the Officer in charge, Field Medical Supply Depot,

21 M St., N. E., Washington, D. C, December 19, 1917. Subject: Marking

250
packages. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., -j= •

CHAPTER XLIV

TRANSPORT UNIT EQUIPMENT

The need of medical equipment for chartered transports and other vessels
taken over by the embarkation service as troop ships early made itself known.
The combat equipment of the organizations generally was shipped with troops
property and stowed in the hold where it could not be used. Sometimes organi-
zation equipment was forwarded on a ship other than the one on which the
troops were transported. These conditions not infrequently resulted in hard-
ships and complaints. 1 In the early days of our participation in the War,
surgeons with organizations of the Regular Army and National Guard were
expected to anticipate the needs of their units in medical equipment and
supplies while en route and to submit requisitions for whatever was necessary.
Many of them, in shipping their combat equipment, doubtless assumed that
such needs, while on the transport, would be met from ship's supplies. In
embarking troops at New York, the medical officers with them seldom had
either time or opportunity to report their needs to the port surgeon or to secure
supplies before the ship on which they embarked sailed. To meet such needs
there had been kept at the medical supply depot, New York, a limited number
of modified regimental hospital equipments for transport use. These were
issued to the first convoy.

The need of a definite transport unit equipment had not been sufficiently
great prior to the movement of the first convoy to France to receive much
consideration. It became acute at once upon the request of the commander
of the port of embarkation, Newport News, Ya., early in August, 1917, for unit
equipment for 24 transports. 2 The surgeon of that port, upon instructions
from the Surgeon General, submitted a list of equipment in quantities thought
to he sufficient for 1,000 troops or a lesser number. For larger vessels the
quantities could be augmented as necessary. 3 The transport unit equipment
as adopted for this port is quoted below. 4 Instructions were issued by the
Surgeon General, August 20, 1917, to the medical supply depots at New York
and Washington, to forward to the medical supply officer at Newport News
the required quantities of the articles enumerated in the list for 24 transports. 5
Smallpox vaccine, triple typhoid vaccine, and other biologicals were added in
such quantities as the surgeon, port of embarkation, Newport News, deemed
necessary.

Medicines, Antiseptics, and Disinfectants

Dakin's solution tablets number.. 500

Liquor cresolis compositus, 1 quart in bottle

__. -..bottles.. 3

Liquor fnrnitildchydi (37,4 per cent) 1 quart bottle

.bottles.. 12

Magnesli sulphas, 4 pounds in tin tins.. 4

30G63— 2S 47 737

Aether, \i pound in tin tins.. 24

Alcohol, denatured, 2 quarts in tin do 8

Argyrol (or equivalent), 1 ounce in bottle. ..bottle.. 1

Chloroform, M pound in tin tins.. 24

738

FIXAXCE AND SUPPLY

1

48
24
3
"2
72
1
2

Normal saline solution tablets (par. 902), 100 in wide-
mouth bottles bottles— 1

Protargol (or equivalent), 1 ounce in bottle— do

Sndii carbonas monohydratus, for surgical use, 1
pound, in wide-mout.h bottles... bottles.. 1

Spiritus ammonia? aromatieus, ] 2 pound in glass-
stopper bottle bottles.. 4

Vnguentum hydrargyri, ] -i pound in wide-mouth
bottle bottles.. 2

Unguent um hydrargyri chloridi mitis, 30 per cent,
2 pounds in jar — jars— 1

Miscellaneous Supplies

Applicators for throat, wood gross— 2

Bags, rubber:

Hot-water ... number . 6

Ice, for head do 3

Basins, hand, white enamel do 6

Blankets, rubber do 48

Do do 12

Brooms:

Corn do 2

Hair, long handle, for floors do 1

Brushes:

Hair, counter (brushes, hair, for floors).. do 1

Scrubbing do 6

Buckets, galvanized-iron. do 3

Case:

Emergency (par. 913) do 1

General operating (par. 916) do 1

Chests;

Med ical and Surgical (par. 932) do 1

Supplementary (par. 933) do 1

Chest, sterilizer (par. 935) do 1

Cotton, absorbent, in roll pounds.. 20

Cups:

Feeding -- - number.. 3

Spit, white enamel do 24

Desk, field, No. 1 (par. 940).--. do..- 1

First-aid packets for shell wounds (par. 91fi).do 100

Gauze, plain yards.. 500

Gowns, operating number.. fi

A somewhat more elaborate equipment, including a combination water,
instrument, dressing, and utensil sterilizer set, was adopted at the port of
embarkation, Hoboken, N. J. 6

After varying experiences in providing the different transports and types
of transports with initial equipment and replenishments, the surgeon of the
port appointed a board of medical officers in the fall of 1918 to study the situ-
ation and compile a list of medicines and other supplies and equipment for
transports. The situation by this time had materially changed. The wounded
and sick with the American Expeditionary Forces were beginning to return to
the United States in ever-increasing numbers. To the equipment required
for the minor ailments arising among troops embarking for the front was added
equipment and supplies to care for the wounded returning from the front.
The equipment was sufficient to provide sterile dressings and to permit such
operations as might be required among that class of patients. 7 The list of
equipment and supplies finally adopted appears below.

It may be stated here, in passing, that there were three types of troop
transports in use: Vessels belonging to the Army Transport Service, manned
by Army (military and civilian) personnel; vessels taken over or furnished by

Litters with slings number-
Mattress covers . ... do

Mattresses, hair in three equal parts do

Medicine glasses do

Mops:

Handles for do

Heads for do

Muslin, unbleached yards—

Pails, white enamel -number..

Fajamas:

Coats do

Trousers do

Pans, dust do

Pillowcases, cotton do

Pillows, hair do

Pus basins do

Sheets, cotton do

Soap, Ivory cakes..

Stoves, alcohol number..

Surgical dressings (par. 955) boxes..

Sutures:
Catgut—

Chromieized, sterilized, 18 inches, in tube,

assorted sizes tubes—

Plain, sterilized, 18 inches, in tubes,

assorted sizes tubes..

Silk, braided, sterilized, 18 inches, 3 sizes, in

package packages..

Silkworm gut, 100 in coil coils..

Silver wire, in yard lengths yards..

Syringes;

Glass, Luer type, 2 c. c. (for antityphoid vac-
cination) number..

Luer 30 c. c, with 2 steel needles and 1 spinal

puncture needle number..

Extra needles for dozen..

Penis, glass, in case number-
Thermometers, clinical do

Towels;

Bath dozens-
Hand do

4
24

24
12

50

10
10

6
12

ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH OVERSEAS TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 739

the Shipping Board and manned by naval crews; private vessels chartered, as
obtainable, for one or more trips, manned by private crews, or personnel who
manned them while in commercial trade.

Medical and surgical supplies for the sick and injured of the troops in
transit on ships of the Navy admitted to the sick bay or hospital of the ship
were furnished by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery of the Navy. Medical
and surgical supplies required by medical officers of the Army in holding sick
call and caring for minor ailments not requiring hospitalization were furnished
by the Medical Department of the Army. In case a deficiency of Army medical
supplies developed en route, the necessary supplies to make up the shortages
were issued from the ship's stores. 8

Transport unit equipment, medical, 101S

Surgical Unit

Atidum borioum. 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles.. 1

Acidum nitraicum, }-i pound in bottle do 1

Adrenalin chloride, 1 mgm. tablets, 20 in tube

tubes.. ' 5

..Ether, M pound in tin tins-. 10

.Ethylisehloridum, 3 ounces in metal tnbe.tubes . 2

Alcohol, 1 quart in bottle ..bottles.. 3

Amylis nitris, 5-drop spirets, 12 in box boxes.. 1

Aqua hydrogenii dioxidi, 1 pound in bottle

bottles.. 2

Argenti nitras fusus, 1 ounce in bottle do 1

Argyral, 1 ounce in bottle do 1

BalS'jmum Peruvianum, X pound in bottle

bottles.. 1

Chloroformuui, % pound In tin -tins 6

Cocaine hydrochloridum, 10-mgm. hypodermic

tablets, 20 in tube tubes.. <?

Collodium, 1 ounce in bottle bottles.. 3

Emplastrum belladonna 3 , 2 yards by tj inches, in

tin tins.. 1

Foot powder (par. 902), H pound in tin do 3

Glyeerinum, 1 pound in bottle bottles.. 2

Ilydrargyri ehlori lum corrosiyum tablets, 250 in

bottle. bottles.. 2

llydnirgyri chloridum mite, 2 ounces in bottle

bottles.. 1

lodum potassii iodidum, in tube tubes.. 20

Liquor cresolis compositus, 1 quart in bottle

bottles.. 1

Liquor formaldehydi (37}^ per cent), 1 quart in

bottle . bottles.. 1

Xorical saline solution tablets, 100 in bottle

bottles.. 2

Petrolatum, 3 pounds in tin tins.. 1

Petrolatum liquidum, 1 pound in bottle. bottles.. 1

Phenol, i-i pound in bottle do 1

Sapo mollis (green soap), 1 pound in jar jars.. 2

Sodii carbonas monohydratus for surgical use, 1

pound in bottle bottles.. 1

Spiriius ammoniac aromaticus, ?2 pound in bottle

__ bottles.. 1

Spjriuis frumenti, 1 quart in bottle do 1

Sulphur lotum, \i pound in bottle do 1

Talcum, 2 pounds in tin tins.. 1

Unguentum hydrargyri cnloridi mitis, 2 pounds

in jar jars.. 1

Zinci oxidum, % pound in bottle bottles.. 1

Stationery

.dozen ..

Bands, elastic .

Books, blank:

Crown (cap), 250 pages number..

8vo, 150 pages do —

Envelopes, official, letter, do

Ink, black (powder or tablets), sufficient in box

for 1 quart of fluid boxes..

Pads, prescription number. .

Paper:

Blotting, for desks sheets. .

Writing, letter quires .

Penholders number .

Pens, steel -do

Miscellaneous

Applicators, for throat, wood.... gross..

Atomizers, hand number

Bags, rubber, hot water do

Bandages:

Gauze, roller, assorted, dozen Inbox— boxes,.

Plaster of Paris number..

Suspensory dozen..

Basins, white enamel, for operating room. number.

Bath robes (gowns, convalescent) do

Bedpans, white enamel do....

Boilers, instrument do

Brushes, hand, fiber do

Cases, general operating (par. 916) do

Cotton, absorbent, in roll. pounds

Cotton bats do

Crinolin (stenta-book), 6 yards in piece.. .pieces..
Crutches pairs .

Rubber tips for, size No. IS (Ji-inch) .number. .
Cups:

Feeding ..do

Spit, paper do .

Metal frames for do

Cushions, surgical, Kelly's ._ do

Gauze, plain yards .

Gloves, rubber pairs. .

Gowns, operating number. .

Graduates, glass, 250-c. e. . . do

Inhalers, ether do

Litters, with slings... do.. .

Medicine droppers .. dozen..

Medicine glasses number..

Pajamas:

Coats ._ do

Trousers do

I

1
100

2
2
2
12

I.'
I

1
1
3
1
10
1

I
4

1

100
6
1

250
4
6
1
1
2
1
1

25
25

740

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Pillowcases, cotton number. .

Pins, safety dozen.

Pitchers, white enamel number—

Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 5 yards by 2H inches

spools. _

Plaster of Paris, 4 pounds in tin tins..

Pus basins number. .

Sheets, cotton do

Shirts, cotton do

Slippers pairs. .

Soap, Ivory cakes..

Sterilizers, for dressings. number..

Stethoscopes, double do

Stoves, coal-oil do

Extra wicks for do

Sutures, catgut, chromicised, 1 suture in tube

tubes..

Syringes, glass, Luer type, 10-c. c number..

Tables, operating, field-folding do

Tongue depressors, wood gross. .

Towels, hand number..

Trays, instrument, white enamel do

Tubes, drainage, rubber, in yard lengths, 3 sizes

yards..

Tubes, stomach number..

Urinals, glass, graduated .-do

Paper, litmus;

Blue, 100 strips, in vial vial..

Red, 100 strips, in vial do

Test tubes dozen. .

TJrinometers number..

Additional (Field)

Chest, medical and surgical (par. 932) (less case,

operating, small; case, forceps haemostatic)

number. .

nead mirror in case (par, 933) do

Speculum, ear, 3 in set - .set..

Acidum boricum powder, H pound in bottle

bottles..

Adrenalin chlorid, 1-mgm. tablets, 25 in tube

tube..

Aether, \i pound in tin tins—

Alcohol, 1 quart in bottle bottles..

Apomorphinae hydrochloridum, (i-mgm. tablets, 20

in tube tube..

Argyrol, 1 ounce in bottle bottles..

Aspirin, 324-mgm tablets, 500 in bottle do

Argenti nitras fusus, 1 ounce in bottle do

Atropines sulphas, 0.65-mgm. hypodermic tablets,

20 in tube tubes..

Bismuth subnitras, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles..

Chloralum hydratum, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in

bottle bottles..

Chloroformum, }-i pound in tin tins..

Cocaine hydrochloridum, 10-mgm. hypodermic

tablets, 20 in tube tubes..

Codeina, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle.. bottles..

Collodium, 1 ounce in bottle do

Digitalinum, 1-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20 in

tube -- tubes..

Glycerinum, 1 pound in bottle bottles..

Hesamethylenamina, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in

bottle bottles..

Ilydrargyri chloridi corrosivum, tablets, 500 in

bottle bottle-.

Ilydrargyri chloridum mite, 32-tngm. tablets, 500

in bottle ... bottles..

Hyoseinas hydrobromidum, 0.65-mgm. hypo-
dermic tablets, 20 in tube tube..

lodum-potassii iodidum, in tube, 10 tubes in box

box..

Liquor formaldehydi (37J^ per cent) 1 quart in

bottle bottles. .

Magnesii sulphas, 4 pounds in tin tins..

Mistura? glycyrrhizas composite, tablets, 1,000 in

bottle ..bottles..

Morphinas sulphas, 8-mgm. hypodermic tablets,

20 in tube tubes..

Nitroglycerin, 0.(35-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20

in tube tube..

Normal saline solution tablets, 100 in bottle

__ bottles..

Oleum caryophylli, 1 ounce in bottle do

Phenylis salicylis, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles—

Pilules catharticas composites, tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles..

PjluIsB eamphoras ct opii, 25 in box box—

Potassii bromidum, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles—

Potassii iodidum, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottle..

Protargol or equivalent, 1 ounce in bottle. .do

Pulvis ipecacuanhas et opii, 324-mgm. tablets, 500

in bottle bottles..

Quininas sulphas, 200-mgm. tablets, 1,000 in bottle

bottle..

Sodii bicarbonas, 324-mgm. tablets, 1,000 in bottle

bottles..

Sodii salicylas, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles—

Spiritus ammonias aromaticus, H pound in bottle

_ bottles..

Strychninas sulphas, 1-mgm. hypodermic tablets,

20 in tube tubes. .

Trochisci ammonii chloridi, 100 in bottle.bottles..
rnguentum hydrargyri. M pound in bottle

bottles..

Unguentum hydrargyri chloridi mitis, 30 per cent,

l /b pound in bottle bottles..

Stationery

Envelopes, official, letter number-
Paper:

Letter-
Typewriter quire-
Manifolding do

Carbon, letter sheets. .

Miscellaneous

Medicine droppers dozen..

Pins, safety do

Sutures, catgut, plain, sterile, 3 sizes in package

packages..

Syringes, penis, glass, in wooden box... ..number. .

Thermometers, clinical- ..do

Needles, curved, surgical do

Brushes, hand, fiber do

Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 2H inches by 6 yards,

on spool spools..

Cotton, absorbent, 1 pound in roll rolls—

Gauze, plain, 25 yards in roll do

Bandages, gauze, roller, dozen in box boxes..

Tongue depressors, wooden. number..

Tags, diagnosis, in book .book..

Applicators for throat, wood number..

H
l

12
2
4

1

4
3
2
2
100

ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH OVERSEAS TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 741

Dental Emergency Outfit B

medicines

Adrenalin chlorid, 1-mgm. tablets, 20 in tube

tubes..

Cocaine hydroc-hloridiun, \i ounce, in wide-mouth

bottle bottles..

Cresol, 1 pound in bottle do

Eugenol, 1 ounce in bottle do

Phenol, camphorated, M pound in bottle__.do

Tinctura aconiti, 1 ounce in bottle do

Tinctura iodi, 4 ounces in glass-stopper bottle

._ bottle..

Novocain, 50-mgm. hypodermic tablets (or equiv-
alent) number..

BLANK FORMS

Register of dental patients card, Form 79

--. number..

Report of dental work, Form 57 do

INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES

Cases, office, preparation, extra J^-ounce glass-
stopper bol ties for number. _

Chisels, 3, 48, of each do

Cleaners, root-canal, Donaldson's or S. S. W., No.

5, ell fine, in package packages..

Elevators, Knott's type, right and left, metal

handle of each number__

Elevators, No. 3, metal handle do

Engine instruments for hand piece No. 7:

Burrs, round 4, 6, 8, 9 of each do

Drills, 100, 103, of each do

Excavators, Black's cutting instruments Nos. 57,

58, 63, 64, 81, 83, of each „. number..

Explorers. L. H., 11, 12, 18, of each do

Forceps, tooth-extracting, IS, 18R, 18L, 65, 150, 151,

of each number..

Holders, for cotton, Methot's type do

Hones, oil, Arkansas stone, in wooden box. .do

Lancets, abscess, metal handles, octagon, No. 2

number. .

Mirrors, mouth:

Aluminum handles, No. 4 do

Extra glasses for, size No. 4, plain do

Pliers, dressing, No. 17 do

Pluggers, amalgam, Woodson's 1, 2, 3, of each

- number..

Scalers, L. II. No. 3 do

Scissors, gum, curved on flat, No. 22 do

Slabs, mixing, glass No. 6 do

Spatulas No. 24 ..do

Syringes:

Hypodermic—

All metal, dental, 172A do

Extra needles for, straight and curved,

of each number..

Extra needles for conductive anesthesia

(Fisher's type) number __

Extra hubs for, of each... do

Water -

21 A ..do....

2IZ, extra bulbs for__. ... do

MISCELLANEOUS

Brushes, hand fiber number__

Cotton, absorbent, 1 ounce in paekage.packages..

Floss, silk, waxed, 24 yards in spool spools .

Napkins, dental, aseptic, 50 in box boxes..

150
12

Sandarac, gum, varnish, 2 ounces in bottle

- bottles.. 1

Soap, Ivory cakes 12

Towels, hand ..number . 6

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES ■

Bit (burr) holder revolving head number _ 1

Case, dental, emergency " B " _ do 1

Cement, temporary, Calxine or equivalent-.box.. 1
Tray, white enamel, sterilizing, 9 by 6 by 3, with

cover number.. 1

Sera and Vaccine Unit

Smallpox vaccine ..units. . 1,000

Lipo typhoid vaccine c. c_. 100

Antimeningitis serum do 480

Diphtheria antitoxin units.. 100,000

Tetanus antitoxin do 15,000

Blank Forms

commercial troop
Form No. M. D.:

47a number

50 ...do...

51 do...

51a do...

51b do._.

52 do...

55a.. -do...

55c do...

55d do...

55e do..

55g ...do...

55h do._.

5oj .

.do.

55m
50..

57. .
71..

.do.

.do.
-do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.

si. .
48 Q.

do.,
.do.

Form No. M.C.;

naval troop

41a

51

number .
do....

51a
51b .
52

do....

do....

do....

do...

71

do....

75

do...

76

do....

.. do....

78

do....

81

do....

48 \.

M

. ....do....

m No
17-

. M. D.:

ARMY CARGO

..number.-

17a -- ...do...

17b ...do...

17c do...

28. do...

35 do...

50.. do...

48 Q M do...

4
2
4
4
4
200
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
10
10
50
4
50

50

50
10
50
100
50

4
4
4
4
200
10
2
50
50
50
10
100
24

4
50
50

4
12

B

6
21

742

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

ARMY TR30P

Form No. M. D.:

17 number

17a

do..

17h

17c

do.-..

..do....

28

do

35

do.

do

50

.. . do

51 ...

51a.

do....

do.

52 ._-

do

55a

do

55b

55c

do..-

do..__

10

100

100

10

10

6

4

6

4

4

200

10

10

10

Form No. M. U.

55d

55c

68g— -— .

5Sh

55j

55m

5fi

Cool inued .

number.

do...

do...

do...

do...

do...

do...

71-

do.

75 — . do_.

76 do..

77 do.

78 do..

SI do..

48Q.M do..

10
10
10
10
10
10
10
4

100
50
50
10

100
24

(1)

(2)

(3)

REFERENCES

Paragraph 4, Cablegram 211, Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, Chaumont,
to The Adjutant General, October 10, 1917. On file, Finance and Supply Division,
S. G. O., Cable Files.

Lctter'froni the commanding officer, Port of Embarkation, Newport News, Va., to the
Chief of Embarkation Service, August 2, 1917. Subject: Medical supplies for trans-

ports. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.

583-538 NN

Letter from the surgeon, Port of Embarkation, Newport News, Va., to the Surgeon
General, U. S. Army, August 7, 1917. Subject: Tentative list of supplies for Army

transports. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O..

583 -538 NN
1

(4) Medical and Surgical [unit for Transport.
583-538 NN

On file, Finance and Supply Division,

S. G. ().,

(5)

(6)

Letters from the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, to the officer in charge, medical supply
depot, New York City, and Washington, D. C, August 20, 1917. Subject: Issues
of supplies to Newport News, Va. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
583-5 3 8 NN
1

Correspondence between the surgeon, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken, N. J., and the
Surgeon General, U. S. Army, November and December, 1917. Subject: Transport

equipment. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.

583-340 Emb. H.

48

(7) Correspondence between the Surgeon General, U. S. Army, and surgeons, Ports of
Embarkation, Hoboken, N. J., and Newport News, Va., during October, 1918.
Subject: Medical supplies for troop ships. On file, Finance and Supply Division,

S. G. O.

583-Misc.
5

(8) Correspondence between the War and Navy Departments in November, 1917. Sub-
ject: Provision of medical and surgical supplies to forces of the Army embarked on
ships of, the Navy acting as transports. On file, Finance and Supply Division

s.G.o., 5 ! - 71 !
i

CHAPTER XLV

TERMINATION OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SUPPLIES SENT TO THE
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

Accountability for public property and the rendering of formal returns
therefor had been a fixed principle in Army procedure for more than a century
prior to 1917. In time of peace accountability had been rigidly enforced and
returns of exactness required. In the early shipments of supplies to the
American Expeditionary Forces in France the question arose concerning the
liberality which might be allowed in accounting for medical and hospital
supplies and the point at which it should terminate. It was foreseen that,
not only would there be the hazards of wastage and loss incident to actual
combat, but, because of the distance from the home territory and the length
of the water lane the supplies must traverse, there would be the extra hazards
of the sea and the ever-present submarine menace. Delays in delivery of the
supplies to the supply depots of the Medical Department with the American
Expeditionary Forces would be inevitable. It the officers in charge of those
depots were to be held to a strict accountability for all the supplies invoiced
from the home territory, great waste of time, energy, and effort would result
from the multitude of surveys and correspondence incident to the adjustment
of discrepancies between the quantities invoiced and received. The overseas
depots would be taxed to the utmost in delivering supplies at the time and
place, and in the quantities needed. Shipments would arrive at many ports
and turn up at unexpected places.

The Surgeon General early decided, therefore, that it was impracticable
and unnecessary to extend the peace time requirements of accountability to
the American Expeditionary Forces. Such property as was actually received
could be taken up by the supply officers and distributed and accounted for as
the interests of the service demanded.

This decision to exempt the American Expeditionary Forces from the
requirements of peace-time accounting gave rise to the question when, where,
and how accountability of the issuing officers in the home territory would
cease for supplies sent overseas. The appropriate place appeared to be the
port of embarkation, and the time the date of loading on board the issue
designated to transport the supplies. The manner did not appear so easy
of determination. The surgeon, port of embarkation, Hoboken, on August
13, 1917, proposed that all medical property going to France be consigned and
invoiced to the medical supply officer at the port who, in turn, would prepare
the necessary shipping invoices, transfer the property to the general super-
intendent, Army Transport Service, upon notification that cargo space was
available, and furnish the Surgeon General a copy of the packer's list or

743

744 FIMANCE AND SUPPLY

shipping invoices. 1 This establishment of accountability at the port of embar-
kation did not appear to be necessary. It added another return to be rendered,
examined and settled with all the attendant correspondence, and did not in
any wise simplify the procedure. Consequently, the Surgeon General directed,
in August, 1917, that the issuing officer was to formally invoice the property
to the medical supply officer of the American Expeditionary Forces and
distribute the copies of the invoice-receipt in the usual manner. The invoice
was to serve as a notice to the medical supply officer of the American Expedi-
tionary Forces of the supplies en route, to be picked up and accounted for in
the manner proscribed by the commander in chief, A. E. F. A copy of the
packer's list and the original, or memorandum, bill of lading were to be sent
to the medical supply officer of the port to which the supplies were forwarded. 2
Upon arrival of the shipment the invoicing officer was notified. 3 When the
supplies were loaded on board the ship the Surgeon General was furnished a
list of the supplies so loaded and the name and invoice number of the issuing
officer. 4 This report was accepted as a voucher to the issuing officer's return,
and the account was closed.

All supply bureaus apparently did not follow the same method in termi-
nating accountability of supplies consigned to the American Expeditionary
Forces. Under date of June 3, 1918, the following instructions were issued by
the War Department: 5

3. Supplies intended for shipment overseas will lie invoiced to the proper port supply
officer, and the accountability for such supplies will cease when they are delivered to the
Embarkation Service at the port concerned, port supply officers filing with their returns
proper evidence of that fact. Accountability for Engineer supplies may be dropped when
turned over to a common carrier, as previously authorized in instructions of December 29,
1917, in which case the Engineer port supply officer will have reponsibility only for the
property after receipt and until delivered to the embarkation service at the port, or, at the
discretion of the supply officer, general Engineer depot, they may be invoiced to the Engi-
neer port supply officer as in other bureaus, in which case they will be accounted for and
dropped as specified for other bureaus.

4. Bureau chiefs charged with the administrative examinination and settlement of prop-
erty accounts may accept as proper vouchers to returns certified invoices, accompanied by
sufficient evidence from embarkation supply officers that the property enumerated on such
certified invoices has actually been shipped overseas.

5. Port supply officers will furnish the chiefs of their respective bureaus overseas with
itemized lists of all property shipped abroad. These lists will be used to form the basis for
the preparation of such returns and the establishment of such methods of property respon-
sibility and accountability as, in the discretion of the commanding general, A. E. F., may
be necessary and practicable in the premises. Chiefs of supply bureaus will empower rep-
resentatives on the staff of the commanding general, A. E. F., to act in their names in all
matters connected with the examination and settlement of property accountability in Europe
which, under the Army Regulations, are required to be performed by chiefs of bureaus of
the War Department. In like maimer the Secretary of War empowers the commanding
general, A. E. F., to act in his name in all matters of property accountability in
Europe which, under the Army Regulations, are required to be performed by the Secretary
of War.

6. Supplies intended for oversea shipment through a port other than a primary port of
embarkation will be shipped to the port quartermaster thereof, and accountability therefor

ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH OVERSEAS TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES 745

will be dropped by the accountable officer on filing with his return certified invoices
accompanied by proper evidence from the port quartermaster that the supplies have been
shipped overseas. The itemized lists called for in paragraph 5 will be sent to chiefs of
bureaus overseas by the port quartermaster.

7. Supplies turned over to the embarkation service for shipment overseas will be in the
hands of that service until delivered to the Government representatives at ports of debar-
kation abroad, and in case of loss or damage during that time, such proceedings and papers
as may be necessary to protect the interest of the Government and to fix the responsibility
for such loss or damage will be the duty of the embarkation service. Receipted copy of
manifest showing delivery of supplies abroad will be considered sufficient evidence to relieve
the embarkation service of further responsibility for such supplies.

These instructions established definitely accountability at the port and
imposed upon the port medical supply officer the obligation of rendering peri-
odic returns of medical property passing through the port. The question of
how the accountability would terminate at the port was revived and forms of
receipts by the embarkation service were worked out. The final result was a
combination invoice and receipt form in letter size which was attached to the
face of the packer's list of articles in each consignment for loading. One copy
was furnished the Surgeon General and the duplicate was retained as credit
vouchers to the return of the port supply officer. This method of accounting
at the ports of embarkation continued practically unchanged until the cessation
of hostilities when the need for it likewise terminated.

REFERENCES

(1) Copy of a proposed indorsement from the Surgeon, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken,

N. J., to the Commanding General of that port, relative to the port medical supply
depot, Pier 45, North River, New York, August 13, 1917. On file, Finance and

Supply Division, S. G. O, P^MP.

(2) Letter from Maj. Edwin P. Wolfe, M. C., S. G. O., to Col. J. M. Kennedy, M. C,

Hoboken, N. J., August 16, 1917, on policy of handling medical supplies at that port.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. 0., 583 ~ 340 .

(3) Letter from the medical supply officer, Pier 45, North River, New York, to the Surgeon

General, December 19, 1917. Subject: Form letters. On file, Finance and Supply

lvision, S. G. O., — ^„

Do

(4) Various reports of shipments of medical supplies overseas, rendered by the port medical

supply officer, Pier 45, North River, New York, August to December, 1917, inclusive.
On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O., 583-539, general number.

(5) G. O. No. 54, W. D., June 3, 1918.

SECTION X
MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

CHAPTER XLVI

ORGANIZATION AND ACTIVITIES OF THE SUPPLY DIVISION, CHIEF

SURGEON'S OFFICE

On June 13, 1917, the office of the chief surgeon, A. E. F., was established
in Paris, the location of General Pershing's headquarters. 1 On the staff of the
chief surgeon was a medical officer who was detailed to supervise supply
matters. At that time there were practically no American troops in France,
and no supplies. The immediate concern of the chief surgeon, A. E. F., so far
as supplies were concerned, was to determine the location of a suitable medical
supply depot, to establish it, and to determine the possibilities of the European
market.

On July 8, 1917, the first depot in France was established at Cosne, and
operated under the direct supervision of the chief surgeon, A. E. F. 2 One of
the other assistants of the chief surgeon was detailed to do the purchasing
of medical supplies, in addition, however, to other duties.

On July 18, 1917, the office of the chief surgeon, base group and Line of
Communications, was constituted. 3 To this office certain of the supply functions
of the Medical Department were assigned, including jurisdiction of the depot
at Cosne.

At this time and until the removal of the chief surgeon, A. E. F., and his
office to Chaumont, on September l, 4 the two offices were in the same building
in Paris so that there was no distinct line of demarcation between them; the
chief surgeon, Line of Communications, was, in effect, in addition to his other
duties, the supply officer of the chief surgeon, A. E. F.

In August, 1917, the chief surgeon requested the assignment of the six
regular medical officers who had been on duty as adjutants in the base hospitals,
attached to the British Expeditionary Force. Two of these officers were
assigned to the office of the chief surgeon, A. E. F., and four to the office of
the chief surgeon, Line of Communications. 5 Of these latter, one was detailed
as supply officer, reporting August 22, 1917.

It will be remembered that at this time there was but one depot in France,
that at Cosne, that the American forces were comparatively few in number but
that the American activities were beginning to be widespread and that, there-
fore, many small organizations had to be supplied.

During this period, distribution of medical supplies to the forces was under
the immediate jurisdiction of the chief surgeon, Line of Communications.
Procurement was under the chief surgeon, A. E. F. It was, however, the

747

748 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

responsibility of the chief surgeon, Line of Communications, to determine and
present his requirements to the chief surgeon, A. E. F. The initiation of these
requests, he had delegated to the officer in charge of the medical supply depot
at Cosne.

Purchases in France were being made by the purchasing officer, Medical
Department, who was under the chief surgeon, A. E. F.

On September 1, 1917, the chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., was transferred
to Chaumont. 4 This separation of the two offices prevented that personal
conference that had theretofore existed and which had enabled the chief
surgeon, Line of Communications, to act on all matters of supply in the Medical
Department. The chief surgeon, Line of Communications, was not only
separated from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., but also from general headquarters,
A. E. F.

Many duties pertaining to supply were retained at general headquarters,
A. E. F., under the provisions of General Orders, No. 43, H. A. E. F., 1917, and
supervision thereover was assigned by General Orders, No. 8, H. A. E. F., to the
members of the general staff at those headquarters. These duties pertained
particularly to tonnage, to procurement in France, and from the United States,
and those connected with the supply of front line troops.

After the physical separation of the two offices, the delegation to the chief
surgeon, Line of Communications, of the entire function of medical supply up
to the combat troops, which had been planned in Field Service Regulations
and the Manual for the Medical Department, was not possible.

Almost necessarily, the chief surgeon, A. E. F., had to consider and dispose
of in his own office, certain questions concerning medical supplies, questions
over which the general staff at general headquarters, retained supervision, or
questions which by general orders were devolved upon him.

The organization remained as before until shortly after November 8, 1917.
On that date, an officer was ordered into the chief surgeon's office at Chaumont,
and upon his arrival a supply division was established in that office. 6

Authority in the function of medical supply was thereafter divided between
two offices, and it is apparent that difficulties were encountered. The exact
demarcation between the functions assigned to the two offices was probably
never clearly understood alike in the two offices. In the matter of distribution
and in the matter of procurement from the United States, there was a lack of
clear understanding as to the division of responsibility. For example, as
regards distribution: Requisitions from units on the line of communications
desiring medical supplies came to the chief surgeon, Line of Communications,
were acted upon in his office, and sent to the medical supply depot at Cosne
for issue. 7 Requisitions for medical supplies from divisions presumably were
to be sent to the respective division surgeon, acted upon by him and sent
direct to the depot designated by the commanding general, Line of Communi-
cations. 7 However, requisitions from divisions were sent, not perhaps by order,
but possibly because of some indefinitcness in that order, and possibly by
reason of the proximity of the divisions to the chief surgeon's office at
Chaumont, to that office and there were acted upon, being sent to the depots,
or in some cases, to the American Red Cross. Direct correspondence between

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMEP.ICAX EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 749

the depots and the supply division in the chief surgeons, office, A. E. F.,
resulted, not only in connection with these requisitions, but in connection with
with the available stock and prospective needs. Shipping directions were
given the depot direct. 7

The chief surgeon, Line of Communications, being a staff officer of the
commanding general, Line of Communications, derived his authority from
that commander; however, General Orders, Nos. 8, 43, and 73, H. A. E. F.,
1917, removed from the commanding general, Line of Communications, respon-
sibility for the supervision and coordination of certain functions of supply and
placed it upon the general staff at general headquarters, A. E. F."

In so far as procurement of medical supplies from the United States was
concerned, requisitions either written or cabled, had to pass through general
headquarters, A. E. F., and necessarily had to have the action of the chief
surgeon, A. E. F. Many questions arising in the general staff at general
headquarters, A. E. F., concerning Medical Department tonnage or equipment,
were referred to the chief surgeon's office and were definitely disposed of there.

On the other hand, notwithstanding the fact that the Medical Department
purchasing officer, A. E. F., was under the chief surgeon, A. E. F., more and
more that officer depended upon the chief surgeon, Line of Communications,
for instructions and authority. 8 This was occasioned by the removal of the
chief surgeon, A. E. F., to Chaumont. Thus gradually, tacitly at first, the
purchasing officer came under the jurisdiction of the chief surgeon, Line of
Communications.

During this period, however, purchase orders, particularly of new types,
developed in France, were placed by direct order of the chief surgeon, A. E. F.
The Allies, and even the American Red Cross, which had had some years of
experience in the type of warfare to be met, preferred to deal with the staff of
the commander in chief, and their recommendations, therefore, were first known
to the chief surgeon, A. E. F. There resulted, naturally, some duplication of
effort and some confusion.

Apparently, in the chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., Line of Communications,
there was an intention and desire to charge the chief surgeon, Line of Commu-
nications, so far as possible, with distribution throughout the American
Expeditionary Forces, and with procurement from the United States. The
difficulties encountered resulted from the departure in practice from the intended
precept, and, as has been shown, these practices were the natural result of
the orders issued by higher authority.

In the chief surgeon's office, Line of Communications, the understanding
was that he w T as charged with the initiation of requests for medical supplies
upon the United States; that procurement was to be handled by the chief
surgeon, A. E. F.; that the chief surgeon, Line of Communications, was charged
with distribution to Line of Communications units; that requisitions from the
combat zone would be acted upon in the chief surgeon's office, A. E. F.

In the matter of the medical supply of combat troops, in training areas
near the front, or in line, it was ofttimes essential that action be taken in the

■See Appendix, for promulgations, General Headquarters, A. E. F., concerning the procurement and distribution
of supplies.

750 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

chief surgeon's office, A. E. F. It was there that the condition of supply in
these units was known; it was there that early information as to prospective
changes in equipment or prospective moves was obtainable; and it was there
that the necessary authority to move the required supplies was obtainable.

This was of even greater importance in the later period of combat, and as
will be seen below, remained an essential after the separation of the chief
surgeon, A. E. F., from general headquarters.

On January 13, 1918, the office of the chief surgeon, Line of Communica-
tions, was moved from Paris to Tours, 2 the ultimate location of the office of the
chief surgeon, A.E.F.

On March 21, 1918, under the provisions of General Orders, No. 31, general
headquarters A. E. F., February 16, 1918, the chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., was
moved from Chaumont to Tours, and placed under the jurisdiction of the com-
manding general, Services of Supply. The office of the chief surgeon, Line of
Communications, was absorbed in the office of the chief surgeon, A. E. F.
However, under the provisions of the same order, there was retained at general
headquarters, A. E. F., supervision over certain matters of exceeding importance
in the efficient functioning of the Medical Department supply service. These
matters were control of the supply of the combat troops, and tonnage from the
United States.

It was essential that the Medical Department should be in a position to
make representation of its needs in direct conference and while the matter was
still under discussion. Therefore, under the provisions of the order, the chief
surgeon designated a deputy to represent him at general headquarters, A. E. F.,
and designated additional medical representatives on the general staff there.
Thus, subsequently, although there was but one supply division in the Medical
Department, A. E. F., and although as a result there was much improvement,
there still remained an organization with which the supply division had no
direct contact, but which supervised and controlled matters which gravely
affected the supply division. This even after the establishment at head-
quarters, Services of Supply, of sections of the general staff to deal with these
questions, sections with which the supply division did have direct contact. It
was not until August 6, 1918, that the commanding general, Services of Supply,
was authorized to deal directly with the United States on matters of supply,
not involving policy. 9

The medical representatives attached to the general staff, general head-
quarters, later became part of it. Orders prepared in the section to which
they were assigned were issued from it b} r the assistant chief of star! and had
the authority of the commander in chief.

These medical representatives on the general staff necessarily, because of
the absence of the chief surgeon's office from general headquarters, had two
functions: One which related to matters properly classed as general staff work,
and the other, the proper and adequate connecting up of the chief surgeon's
office with the combatant troops. 10 It was only by virtue of the work of these
representatives in connection with the second function that the Medical
Department had any representation in matters of vital importance to its mis-
sion. Much of this work was in connection with the supply of the combat

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 751

troops, and it was the only way in which the functions of the Medical Depart-
ment could have been carried on. However, proper presentation of the chief
surgeon's views on many of the questions involved could be made only after
detailed study and thorough knowledge and consideration of the entire supply
problem and situation. Such study requires a very considerable personnel,
and the undcsirability of such a force at general headquarters, A. E. F., was
one of the determining factors in the assignment of the chief surgeon to head-
quarters, Services of Supply. Nevertheless, detailed studies of the Medical
Department supply situation continued to be made by the chief surgeon's
office, at, Tours, sometimes differing therefrom to such an extent as to cause
confusion. 11

PERSONNEL

The personnel assigned to the supply division was always inadequate for
the multiplicity of duties which confronted it. This was especially true as to
officers, for few medical officers had had supply training. The situation with
respect to enlisted men was different: Enlisted personnel was made available
in sufficient number for the depots. Many of these men, after a period of duty
at one of the established depots, were given commissioned rank and utilized in
medical supply work.

The operating depots were made schools of instruction, and from them, as
new depots were established, were detached the personnel required. Since the
personnel available did not permit the assignment of permanent and temporary
personnel, this meant that the detached personnel had to be taken from the
active force of the depot which necessarily interfered with the normal working
of the depot. This occurred repeatedly at the medical supply depot at Cosne,
from which depot a large part of the personnel for Is-sur-Tille, Gievres,
Bordeaux, St. Nazaire, and hospital centers and army parks was supplied.
From Is-sur-Tille, also, a considerable number of men were sent to army parks
and other depots. 8

Certain units known as medical supply units, consisting of 3 officers and
45 enlisted men, were organized in the United States and sent to the American
Expeditionary Forces. There was no time, however, at which that number of
men could be spared for any particular depot; the available personnel had to
be allotted to a number of depots. 8 The situation in France, the method of
administration, and distribution were different from that in the United States.
These units, therefore, were sent to an active depot and there broken up. s

Especially in the office of the chief surgeon was the limited personnel for
medical supply work evident. From August 22, 1917, to March 21, 1918,
there was one Regular officer in the division; from March 21 to November,
1918, there were but two.

In the fall of 1918, steps were taken by the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to
increase materially the number of personnel on this duty, in preparation for
the problems which it was expected would confront the supply division in
1919. 8 Experienced officers who had been on other supply duty, for which
understudies had been available, were ordered to the chief surgeon's office for
administrative duty. Thus, the Medical Department purchasing officer, who

752 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

had so covered the European market with orders for medical supplies as to
obviate the necessity of placing additional orders for some time, was detailed
to this duty, as was the officer in charge of the medical supply depot at Cosne.
The division was well prepared at the time the armistice was signed for the
work that had been in prospect.

During the entire period previous to this, however, the supply division
was materially assisted by medical officers of the several professional special-
ties, not assigned to supply work. 8 Following out the policy of decentralization,
which will be referred to at length below, the chief surgeon called upon these
officers, not only for estimates of future requirements, but in many cases for
active efforts in connection with new development or purchase, and sometimes
for distribution. That this reliance upon the specialists is the correct
procedure, is believed to have been proven by the success of their efforts.
The action taken was truly a functional delegation. The success of their
professional work was dependent upon an adequate supply of their technical
apparatus, and their interest in such supply was therefore intense.

PROCUREMENT

FROM THE UNITED STATES

As a result of its experiences in the Spanish-American War, the Medical
Department had developed the practice of making initial shipments to newly
established units without requisitions. These shipments were in the form of
combat equipments, field hospitals, or base hospitals, and there were always
available at the depots a number of these units packed and assembled available
for immediate shipment. These units were not single items, but each com-
prised an assemblage of several hundred items in a proportion that had been
determined upon by experience.

In anticipation of the, departure, for France, of General Pershing and his
staff, the Surgeon General, on May 17, 1917, had made arrangements for the
shipment to France, to be used in the medical care of troops soon to follow
General Pershing, 4 evacuation hospitals, 1 base hospital, 3 divisional medical
reserve units, and the equipments of 3 division surgeon's offices. 12 At the same
time the medical supply officer, New York, was directed to ship 60 ward units
to complete the equipment. 13

The Surgeon General's plan w r as to send to France with each combat
division the following medical units and supplies: 14 4 base hospitals, with 40
extra ward units; 2 evacuation hospitals; 2 field hospitals and 2 ambulance
companies extra; 1 division surgeon's office; 1 divisional medical reserve unit;
50 ambulances; 1,000 litters extra; 6 months' replenishment of field and post
supplies for the division.

Thus, ample medical supplies and equipment were assured for the American
Expeditionary Forces pending the establishment of the office of the chief surgeon,
A. E. F.

On July 3, 1917, the chief surgeon, A. E. F., in a letter to the Surgeon
General, 15 requested that, as the command in the American Expeditionary
Forces increased in size, ample medical supplies be sent from the United States

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMBBIOAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 753

without requisition. It seemed to the chief surgeon, at that time, that this
arrangement would be necessary on account of the great delay in the transac-
tion of business by mail. 15 This request was but anticipating a system that
was soon to be adopted at general headquarters A. E. F., for all the supply
departments, A. E. F.

The following letter from the Surgeon General's Office to the chief
surgeon's office, August 11, 1917, shows the situation of medical supplies at
that time: 14

Your letter of July 22 just received. I have also your letters of July 9 and 15 which
were received together a short time ago.

Trying to answer you seriatim, all base hospitals being sent you are equipped with iron
beds and mattresses. Instead of being for 500 beds merel3-, we have added 40 Wolfe ward
units to each base hospital, so that there is equipment to accommodate 1,000 with each.

*******

Your depot surgeon has made requisition for six months' supplies for 100.000 men,
which will be filled as rapidly as possible. We will try to send you copies of everything
affecting supplies, so that you will be better informed in the future. I can not give you at
present the exact tonnage that will be required for the supply of 100,000 men for six months.
Wolfe says he is w-orking on it and will get it to you as soon as he can. He will also send
you some data regarding the tonnage required for the medical supplies of a division.

I note what you say regarding the necessity for plenty of words in a cablegram and
appreciate it. I did not send the cablegram asking what proportion of beds to strength
you would need, but I would like to know what percentage of your total force should be
provided with beds. The general says 25 per cent. I understand the General Staff has
authorized us to send beds to accommodate 20 per cent of the command that may be in
France. Accordingly, we are sending four Red Cross base hospitals witli the additional
beds to accommodate 4,000 patients for each division, which will be smaller than our old
division, and more nearly the size of the French. Then too, the regular evacuation hospi-
tals come with each division. Wolfe answered the cablegram about iron beds for base
hospitals and evacuation hospitals, and we thought we are sending so many base hospitals
with increased accommodation that you would not need additional iron beds for the evacu-
ation hospitals. I think you interpreted the cablegram correctly.

We want to give you everything you need, and if after the rather full explanation
given above you find you need more than we are sending, let us know. We were sure you
did not realize how many beds we had already ordered for you when we sent the cablegram
suggesting that it was unnecessary to send additional iron bunks for evacuation hospitals.
If you find you need more, do not hesitate to come back and say so.

Mount's requisition included a considerable number of instrument cases, which were
approved. It is to be understood of course, that besides the initial equipment that is sent
with each division, the medical supply officer should make such requisitions as are neces-
sary. We discussed this quite fully with Whiteomb when he was here, and came to a
satisfactory understanding with him.

Meanwhile, two formal requisitions for medical supplies had been prepared
by the officer in charge of the medical supply depot, A. E. F., approved and
forwarded to the Surgeon General by the chief surgeon. A third was prepared
and forwarded about the middle of August, 1917, calling for supplies for
100,000 men for six months. Such then was the situation: Certain supplies,
both initial equipment and six months' supply, were to be sent automatically
with each expedition. Further replenishment supplies needed were to be asked
for by requisition from the American Expeditionary Forces.
30663—28 48

754 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

AUTOMATIC SUPPLY

On August 20, 1917, General Pershing promulgated instructions concerning
supply, which materially changed the manner of procuring medical supplies
for the American Expeditionary Forces. 10 Those instructions required that
there would be established in France initial stocks for 300,000 men, for 90 days,
and the stocks thereafter maintained without requisition. Supplies were to be
divided into the following three classes: (1) Automatic supply for articles,
whose consumption would be sufficiently regular to permit of automatic supply;
(2) replenishment supply for articles of which specified stocks were to be
maintained; (3) exceptional supply for articles of which no specified stocks
were established.

The commanding general, Line of Communications, was to maintain 45
days' supplies at base depots, 30 days' at intermediate depots, and 15 days'
at advance depots, utilizing the same methods as those called from the United
States, namely, automatic supply, replenishment supply, and exceptional

supply. 16

For shipments from the United States to France, lists were to be prepared
in the American Expeditionary Forces of articles or classes of articles of which
the consumption was sufficiently constant to warrant provision of an automatic
supply. In preparing lists of material for automatic supply from the United
States, great care was to be taken not to include articles obtainable in France
or in England. Also careful check was to be kept on excesses and shortages
so as to adjust the supply to the requirements with the minimum delays and
thus economize on shipping.

General Pershing directed the chief surgeon, A. E. F., as well as the other
chiefs of supply bureaus, A. E. F., to prepare an estimate, for cabling, under
the foregoing system for: First, a list for four months' supplies to accompany
each movement of troops from the United States. This was to provide 90
days' reserve and in addition one month's automatic supply for consumption
and emergency. Second, a list showing the amounts which had to be shipped
for each 25,000 men of the American Expeditionary Forces. 17 These last
figures were to be used by the War Department as a basis for automatic
shipment of supplies to France for the American Expeditionary Forces.

In compliance with the above-outlined instructions, the chief surgeon,
A. E. F., initiated information to the Surgeon General, September 12, 1917, as
follows: 18

*******

Paragraph 7. Automatic supply. For Surgeon General. Referring cablegram number
145, paragraph 5. Following is our requisition based on this cable. Supplies now on hand
sufficient for initial reserve for troops here and now en route. Ship four months requisition
in triplicate for all troops hereafter leaving the United States and thereafter ship automat-
ically each month a month's supply for all troops in France and en route. In making
estimates for monthly automatic shipments and reserve, the usual supply of alcohol, ether,
chloroform, rubber gloves, needles of all sizes, bandages, adhesive plasters and sutures of
all sizes, and material should be multiplied 10 times, and the supply of gauze and all surgical
dressings should be multiplied 25 times.

Subparagraph 1. Requisition already made, including the one for instruments dated
August 27 and forwarded from here September 4, should be filled.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FOECES 755

Subparagraph 2. Investigation now in progress to ascertain supplies which can be
purchased to advantage in France and England. Any modifications in automatic supply
found advisable after this investigation will be promptly reported.

Subparagraph 3. All automatic and reserve supplies to be invoiced to supply officers.

Subparagraph 4. Automatic and reserve supplies to be considered over and "above all
supplies and equipment usually furnished organizations departing on foreign service.

* * * * * * *

In explanation of this action of the chief surgeon, it should be said that the
number of medical supply personnel in the American Expeditionary Forces at
the time in question was too limited to permit of an immediate compilation of
a list of all articles upon the supply table. Furthermore, medical supplies can
not be computed upon a ration basis, and in respect of many articles there is
not, and can not be, an "allowance" to be strictly adhered to. Rates of
expenditure depend upon many factors, such as the number of troops and their
distribution (concentration or dispersion), climate, condition of shelter, season,
incidence of various diseases, character and severity of combat, number of
wounds, type of wounds, length of stay of patient in hospital, the training
of medical officers in care of supplies, facilities available for such care, and, to
some extent, the personal equation as to remedies used. Rates of expenditure
must be estimated after careful consideration of all those factors, and must be
based upon experience tables for issue under similar conditions or, in the absence
thereof, under peace time conditions.

The only experience tables, the only personnel having experience in such
computation, w^ere in the Surgeon General's Office, and the desire of the chief
surgeon was to utilize such personnel and such experience tables.

On August 20, 1917, the date when General Pershing promulgated his
memorandum on automatic supplies, 18 the Surgeon General informed the chief
of embarkation service that the Medical Department had the following medical
supplies for shipment to France, in addition to the supplies with troops, for
the 26th Division: 2 field hospital equipments; 2 ambulance company equip-
ments; 1 division surgeon's office equipment; 26 motor ambulances, boxed for
export; 10 motor cycles with side cars, boxed for export; 1 medical reserve
unit, aggregating 90 tons and 12,926 cubic feet. There was a like quantity of
equipment for the 42d Division. For the Line of Communications; 2 evacua-
tion hospitals; 4 base hospitals, of 500 beds; and 40 ward units, aggregating
563 tons, 126,240 cubic feet. There was a six months' replenishment of sup-
plies for the zone of the army, field supplies, 161 tons, 18,200 cubic feet; and
six months' replenishment for the Line of Communications, hospital supplies
and equipment, 280 tons, 40,667 cubic feet. Aggregating 1,185 tons, 198,000
cubic feet.

These supplies were sent as replacement for the beginning of automatic
shipment of supplies to France. A list of supplies compiled for this purpose
was largely used in the preparation of the actual monthly automatic replace-
ment called for by the commanding general, A. E. F., in paragraph 2, cable
145, September 7, and paragraph 7, cable 155, September 11, 1917. A copy of
this automatic replacement list for one month was forwarded to the chief
surgeon, A. E. F., October 27, 1917, including post supplies, field supplies, dental
supplies, veterinary supplies. 19

7.10 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Thenceforward, the American Expeditionary Forces were supplied auto-
matically both with initial medical equipment and with replenishment medical
supplies. Additions to, subtractions from, or modifications in the list of
articles desired by the chief surgeon, A. E. F., were to be made upon presenta-
tion of his wishes by cablegram or otherwise- The following extracts from
cablegrams sent from general headquarters, A. E. F., to The Adjutant General,
are examples of such action :
No. 175. September 23, 1917.

Paragraph 3. For the Surgeon General. Request that automatic supply be shiuped as
described in cable 145 and paragraph 7, 155. Storage facilities being enlarged. Twenty-
five additional clerks trained in supph' work will be needed before Christmas.

*******

Pershing.

No. 194. October 1, 1917.

*******

Subparagraph 2. Automatic supply. Veterinary instruments, medicines and dressings
should be based on 6,600 animals for each division in France. This includes 10 per cent
for replacements.

****** *

Pershing.

No. 237. October 21, 1917.

****** *

Subparagraph A. Automatic supply. After studying, * * * decided that " Silvol"
should be substituted protargol for all purposes. Request that 10,000 one-ounce bottles be

shipped at once and that 2,000 bottles be added to the monthly automatic supply.

****** *

Pershing.
No. 357. December 9, 1917.

Paragraph 1. For Surgeon General. Order placed to-day in France for 50,000 bedside
tables of improved pattern. Automatic supply of bedside tables should be reduced by
this number.

*******

Pershing.

On October G, 1917, the Surgeon General furnished the medical supply
officer, New York, with a list of supplies under the title "Automatic replenish-
ment of medical supplies per month for a division of 26,000 men (expendable
articles only)." For the month of October, he directed that three times the
quantity of articles on the list be furnished the American Expeditionary
Forces. 20

On October 13, 1917, the list referred to above was modified by the
Surgeon General, in so far as the post medical supplies were concerned, 21 and
on November 8, 1917, he directed the officer in charge of the New York medical
supply depot to ship to the American Expeditionary Forces, for November,
ten times the quantity on this list. 22 In addition, on November 9, 1917,
replenishments for the 26th and 42d Divisions were ordered shipped to the
American Expeditionary Forces in twice the amount for the month of
November. 23

Up to and including the month of November, 1917, the automatic supply
of the Medical Department, A. E. F., was in terms of 26,000 men, as indicated
above. For December and subsequent months, however, the Surgeon General,

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAS EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 757

instead of furnishing the New York medical supply officer with a numerator
to compute the amounts of medical supplies to be shipped to the American
Expeditionary Forces, computed each month the quantities to be shipped and
transmitted the result to the medical supply depot for issue.

As to the individual amounts of articles to be furnished the American
Expeditionary Forces, the matter was not entirely disposed of in France by
the cabled request of September 12, quoted above. Study of the prospective
needs in the way of medical supplies for the American Expeditionary Forces
immediately was instituted in the office of the chief surgeon, Line of Communi-
cations. By September 18, in compliance with General Pershing's instructions
concerning automatic supply, previously referred to, the first list of medical
and hospital supplies for automatic shipment from the United States, was
submitted to general headquarters, A. E. F. 8 But included on the medical
supply table were some articles, which, though highly desirable in themselves,
in view of the existing situation, could by reason of their bulk or weight, or by
reason of their nonessentiality, be dispensed with. The importance of proper
medical attention not only to the individuals concerned, but to the morale of
the troops in the American Expeditionary Forces, and furthermore to the
people at home, was such that the chief surgeon, Line of Communications
felt confident that no request of his for supplies urgently needed could be
disapproved. Being of this opinion, he had to assure himself that his requests
did not include nonessentials. Acting upon his instructions, the existing
supply was carefully scrutinized, and such articles were eliminated.

The following extracts from cablegrams from General Pershing to The
Adjutant General, pertain to the elimination of certain articles from the
medical supplies sent to the American Expeditionary Forces:

From Paris.

To The Adjutant General, Washington.

No. 232. October 20.

* ******

Subparagraph A. Reference paragraph 7 my cable 215, following articles prescribed in
Manual for Medical Department can be eliminated in present emergency: Paragraph 844:
Baskets, letters and waste paper; cups, sponge; envelopes and paper, official note; inkstands;
steel erasers; desk pads and pen racks. Paragraph 845. Apparatus, electric; bags, obstet-
rical; basins, delft, for office; baskets, laundry; bed cradles; blowers for insect powder;
bookcases; boxes, fracture, folding; brushes, weighted for polishing floors; buckets, fiber;
cabinets for dressings and instruments; cases, dental; cases, tooth-extracting; chairs;
charts, anatomical; clocks; cuspidors; desks, office; fans, palm leaf ; floor polish; floor wax;
ice cream freezers; step ladders; lawn mowers; linoleum; mats, door, metal; pitchers, delft,
for office; pots, water; refrigerators; iron safes; scales and weight platforms; settees for
porch; tables, bedside; mouse and rat traps; garden trowels; portable bathtubs; foot tubs;
water coolers; only 25 per cent of hospital beds in France will need mosquito bars. It is
urged that the committee on standardization to select the minimum number of articles
essential to the Nation's medical activities report on the standard medicines to be required.
It is believed that many of the medicines now mentioned in paragraph 843 can be eliminated
during the time of war without detriment to the medical service.

* ******
From HAEF.

To The Adjutant General, Washington.

No. 268. November 3.

***** * *

Subparagraph A. * * *.

758 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Following list of medicines, par. 843, can be omitted: Acetanilidum; aoidum citricum;
aeidum oxalicum; acidum sulphurieum aromatieum; adeps lame hydrosus; aloe, powder;
ammonii bromidum; amylis nitris; argenti nitras fusus; arseni trioxidiun; asafcetida;
bismuthi subgallas; calx eh orinata; capsicum, powder; cera flava; copaiba; creta prepa-
rata; eucalyptol; ferri et quininae citras solubilis; ferri sulphas exsiecatus; fluidextractum
colchici seminis; fluidextractum ergotae; fluidextractum pruni virginianse; fluidextractum
zingiberis; heroini hydrochloridum; both sizes; lithii citras efferveseens; lnagnesii car-
bonas, powder; oleum aurantii corticis; oleum morrhua:; oleum santali; oleum tiglii;
pepsinum; pilocarpine hydrochloridum; pilulffi copaiba? composite; potassii bicarbonas;
potas-ii bromidum; resina podophylli; rheum, powder; spiritus astheris compositus; syrupus
ferri iodidi; syrupus hypophosphitum compositus; syrupus scilloe; thymolis iodidum
(Aristol); tinctura aconiti; tinctura cantharidis; tinctura capsici; tinctura cinchonse;
tinctura gentiame composita; tinctura myrrho?.

****** *

Pershing
Copy for Surgeon General.

Before these cabled requests could be acted upon in the Office of the
Surgeon General, an automatic supply list of articles for the Medical Depart-
ment, A. E. F., was prepared in the supply division there, and, on October 27,
1917, sent to the chief surgeon, Line of Communications: 24

1. A copy of "Automatic replacements for one division for one month" of (a) post
supplies; (b) field supplies; (c) dental supplies; (d) veterinary supplies; is inclosed for your
information and suggestion.

2. The officers in charge of the medical supply depots at New York, Washington, and
St. Louis will be directed to ship each month as many times this replacement as there are
times 25,000 troops in France. These instructions will be issued at the beginning of
each month.

3. Furnish this office a copy of any modifications which you think should be made in
this list. Any supplies deemed by you not necessary will be omited. Any quantities
which should be increased will be so increased.

4. Inform this office of the quantity of furniture deemed by you expedient to be issued
with each base hospital equipment to be sent over. It is the understanding of this office
that these hospitals are to serve as general hospitals and not in the strict sense of base
hospitals as the term is used in the Manual for the Medical Department. For such hospitals
it would appear that equipment more varied and more extensive than that for the ordinary
base hospitals would be required.

The chief surgeon, A. E. F., was not in agreement with this arrangement
in the Office of the Surgeon General, whereby automatic replacements were
to be based on a division for one month; on the contrary, he was of the
expressed opinion that medical replacements should be worked out on the basis
of the total needs of 25,000 men for one month for all supplies, expendable
and nonexpendable that were susceptible of automatic supply. 26 Furthermore,
he believed that the adopted system of supply necessitated the development,
and use, of a rather large exceptional list, which was to include articles
not susceptible of an automatic supply. Accordingly, on February 1, 1918, he
directed the officer in charge of intermediate medical supply depot No. 3,
A. E. F., Cosne, to express an opinion on the subject. 25

Prior to the receipt of this letter, several conferences had been held be-
tween the chief of the supply division, chief surgeon's office, Line of Communi-
cations, and the officer in charge of the medical supply depot at Cosne, and the
latter was given the information contained in the letter of February 1, by

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 759

telephone, and asked to furnish the comment desired by the chief surgeon.
He had a copy of the automatic supply list, which had been sent to him direct
by the Surgeon General.

After opportunity for studying the problem had been afforded the medical
supply officer, the chief surgeon, Line of Communications, replied to the chief
surgeon, A. E. F., on February 15, 1918, as follows: 2f '

1. I concur in the opinion expressed in your letter. I understand that portion of it
recommending a unit of 25,000 men is now in effect. I am inclosing a letter from the
officer in charge, intermediate medical supply depot No. 3 on this subject. His opinion
seems to be the same.

2. I especially invite consideration of his recommendation of an elimination list. I am
well aware of the personal indiosyncrasies with which this would interfere and of the
probable protests that it would engender, but I believe that it is a matter of necessity and
I am convinced that the cooperation of the medical officers could be obtained by a well-
conducted compaign of education in which the necessity for economy of effort and tonnage
were shown.

3. This elimation list is in my opinion all the more necessary by reason of the necessity
of greatly increasing the allowance of certain drugs (as, for example, camphor and opium
derivatives) and of the necessity for adding to the list many additional articles to meet
new conditions (for example, sodium, camphor, soap, and oxygen in large quantities ). I am
submitting a supply table with the articles which you have already withdrawn erased in red
ink, with articles proposed for elimination shown by an "X" in red ink, with articles
the original packages of which are so small that shipments thereof could well be made
automatically every three months indicated by a red " 3," with articles the supply of which
would be controlled by requisitions indicated by the word "Req."; shipment of all other
articles to be made automatically in monthly shipments, and with self-explanatory remarks
after certain other articles.

4. In addition to the elimination list, I propose that certain other articles be eliminated
from the supply for other units than base hospitals. In fact I believe that mobilization
tables similar to those in use in the British Army should be established and rather firmly
adhered to. A statement of policy on such articles as desks and filing cabinets is highly
desirable. I believe that tables, common, can profitably be substituted for desks. Appar-
ently though the Surgeon General has a different conception, as stated in paragraph 4 of
his letter. While highly desirable from the standpoint of a good looking hospital, in view
of the tonnage situation I think they might well be dispensed with.

,'). I especially invite your attention to the recommendation that all dishware should
be enamel ware, cups to be without handles. Breakage of the porcelain has been great.

6. This elimination list was suggested in a recent conference with Major Mount, the
officer in charge, intermediate medical supply depot No. 3, and it is recognized that it is
tentative only. Medical officers must be taught that this is war, and that our hospitals
can not be ideally equipped, and that in order to be assured of the essentials they must
forego many desirable things. I believe that tonnage and packing costs could be saved by
supplying the more commonly used medicines in two sizes, one for base hospitals, the other
for smaller organizations.

7. The list of standard surgical instruments has not been considered because, so far,
none of these instruments have been provided, and I am confident that we shall need all
that it is possible to ship. Later when a stock has been accumulated the question of
automatic supply or supply by requisition can be settled.

8. The veterinary supply I am unable to pass upon with any degree of assurance. I
can say, however, that the demands heretofore made have seemed to total considerably

larger than this present automatic supply.

*******

The report which the officer in charge of the medical supply depot at
Cosne was directed to submit upon the same question is as follows: 27

760

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

1. In compliance with long-distance telephone request from your office, I herewith
transmit report on automatic supply recenth- furnished by the Surgeon General's Office.
It appears that the automatic supply as furnished covers expendable articles only, and ap-
plies to all medicines on the post supply table, including those that have already been
placed on the elimination list.

It is not believed that the automatic supply should apply to all the articles needed in
France; neither should it apply only to the expendable articles. It would seem the most
rational procedure, first, to eliminate the articles that are not needed by the Medical
Department in France; second, to make up an automatic from the revised list covering
only the essential articles; third, to classify the remaining articles under the heading "Excep-
tional articles," to be covered by timely requisition.

2. At present almost all the medicines on the field supply table that formerly came in
tins are furnished in bottles, thus duplicating the post supplies except for the number of
tablets in bottle. If this is to obtain during the war, it is believed that all medicines
furnished in tablets on our post and field supply tables should come in a standard-size bottle
with a specified number of tablets in each. Further, a great many supplies on the dental
and veterinary supply tables are exactly the same as our regular post supply articles, the
stationery on all four tables being almost exactly the same. If the method advocated of
converting into one supply table be followed, the confusion of having automatic supply for
stationery on four different tables and for medicines on three tables would be eliminated.
The present lists as furnished show automatic on stationery for post, field and dental
combined, and a separate list for veterinary.

3. In general, anesthetics, ligatures, dressings, and essential drugs should be automatic;
and, in addition, such articles as are used in large amounts could readily be included in the
automatic arrangement. Nothing should interfere with the shipment of these automatic
articles, and the full shipment should be made at one time, as otherwise a shortage will
develop on the very class of articles that are absolutely essential. Amounts should at first
be, if anything, overestimated for the above reason.

4. The following increases in the automatic supply as shown on the list furnished by
the Surgeon General's Office are recommended:

Medicines and Antiseptics

.Ether, in tins

Aspirin:

Powder

Tablets

Cocainas hydrochloridum, }4 ounce in

bottle

Foot powder, tins

Iodum, 1 ounce bottles

Iodine swabs, boxes

Liquor cresolis compositus, 5-gallon tins
Morphinse sulphas:

Powder, J4 ounce, bottles

Hypodermic tablets, tubes

Protargol, 1 ounce, bottles

Unguentum hydrargyri chloridi mitis:

2-pound bottles

^2-pound bottles

Miscellaneous

Alcohol, denatured:

5-gallon bottles —

2-quart tins _.

Cotton:

Absorbent, 1-pound rolls

Nonabsorbent, 1-pound rolls

First-aid packets (par. 944) ._

Needles, surgical, assorted, dozens

Syringes, penis, glass

Soap:

Common, pounds

Ivory, cakes. _. ---

Scouring - _

Present
auto-
matic

Recom-
mended

75
90

20

500

35

3, 750

None.

13
560
125

60
None.

None.
None.

50
500

400
850
350

300
200

100
5,000

175
5,000

200

50
1,000
1,000

150
200

200
300

400 1,500

40 | 1.000

None. 5, 000

100
1,500

1,000

1,500

500

Present
auto-
matic

Stationery
Books:

Blank-
Cap 25

8vo 38

Prescription 5

Envelopes, official:

Large .__ 900

Letter 5,000

Paper:

Carbon-
Cap, boxes. ._ 5

Letter, boxes 93

Typewriter —

Cap, package 12

Letter, packages 23

Dental

medicines

Acidum trichloraceticum, 1 ounce, in
bottle

Eugenol, 1 ounce, in bottle

Novocain suprarenum tablets, tubes

Sodium and potassium, in tube

instruments and appliances

Bands, fracture, Angle's, 4 bicuspid and 2

molar, sets

Broach reamers, packages

Cases, office, preparation

Recom
mended

50
100
25

2,000
10,000

25
125

1

5

4

8

26

50

26

40

8

20

13

25

4

15

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

761

INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES— Contd.

Engine instruments for hand piece "H"
contra-angle:

Drills

Mandrels, Nos. 302 and 303

Engine instruments for hand piece No. 7:

Drills

Mandrels, Nos. 302 and 303 -.

Lancets:

Abscess

Gum

Pliers, dressing:

No. 2

No. 17

Office

Strips, celluloid, thin

Syringes, hypodermic:

All metal, extra needles [or

Extra needles for conductive anes
thesia

Extra hubs for

Wire, ligature, Angle's No. 187, boxes

MISCELLANEOUS

Disks:

Bristle

Carborundum, knife-edge

Present
auto-
matic

Recom

mended

250
78

320
100

Present
auto-
matic

Recom-
mended

miscellaneous— continued

Floss, silk, waxed.. __

Gutta-percha stopping, high-heat sticks
ounces .

Modeling composition..

Strips, polishing, assorted grits.

Base Outfit
Cups, drinking __

Laboratory Equipment

Brushes, laboratory

Cones, felt

Investment compound, tins

Sandpaper, sheets

Rubber, red, pounds

Additional Articles

Solder, silver, ounces..

Zinc, pounds

100

20
12
40

10
10
15
24
4

5. This office does not feel competent to pass on automatic furnished for veterinary
supplies; but from personal experience with a field hospital, and judging from amounts asked
for by veterinarians now in France, the automatic seems greatly underestimated.

Animals seem to be scattered in many places, some detachments having only 40 horses
on hand, and the smallest amount one is able to furnish such a detachment is one bottle or
tin of a drug, or one tube of hypodermic medication. The veterinarians themselves seem
uninformed, judging from their requisitions, as to whether or not to request on the field
supply table or post supply table.

After analyzing the information thus made available to him the chief sur-
geon, A. E. F., on April 2, 1918, transmitted it to the Surgeon General in the
following letter: 28

1. The data inclosed with this communication 6 represent the desires of the Medical
Department in France as regards the automatic supply, and in addition thereto there is
indicated the equipment for a base hospital as desired for the American Expeditionary Forces,
and all in answer to your letter, copy inclosed, of October 27, 1917.

2. New and unusual problems confront our supply division in France, and these ques-
tions must be met and solved. The departures from old and established customs that will
be found recommended herein are explained by these radical changes in the environment of
our forces here in France.

3. The general staff at general headquarters has directed that in the preparation of
automatic supply lists all articles be placed thereon that are susceptible of such arrange-
ment. It is the view of the supply division in this office that with few exceptions all
articles expendable and nonexpendable should arrive in France automatically and in pre-
paring this work this policy has been followed.

4. The item of first importance here is tonnage and all efforts are directed toward
saving all possible ship space for the essentials. Radical elimination has therefore been
found necessary and has been practiced. In a further effort to conserve this ship space it
is urgently requested that unnecessary boxing material such as would ordinarily come with
rubber goods, etc., be eliminated, and that all empty containers in so far as it is practicable
be sent filled with such items as may be available for this purpose.

'The lists referred to have been omitted.

762 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

5. The desirability of having a single list of articles used in common by the various
divisions of the Medical Department lias become more and more apparent, and this
consolidated list has been produced. Furthermore, it is considered highly desirable to
have medicines furnished in two standard-sized bottles, large for base hospitals and small
for smaller organizations. This request, like others that appear above and below, must, of
course, be coordinated with the problems of supply that confront your office, but it is
hoped that these simplifications may become operative ultimately.

6. A separate list relative to the equipment of base hospitals and in answer to para-
graph 4 of your letter quoted above is inclosed. This list is considered complete except for
very special equipment and therefore gives you the ideas of those upon this side in relation
to this question. Certain of the larger and heavier articles of furniture must, in the
interests of economy of tonnage, be eliminated, and this elimination has here and elsewhere
been indicated. Minor shortages, if such are found to exist, in such articles as instruments
and the like may be supplemented from the depots in France.

7. The various lists have been arranged in accordance with the supply tables and
where articles have been added they have been placed in the proper classification and with
alphabetical arrangement. The legend used appears at the top of the sheets. The latest
supply tables as indicated in changes, Manual for the Medical Department, for dental and
veterinary items have been freely consulted, and the amounts and articles asked for are
the result of mature consideration of all aspects of the present situation by officers best
acquainted with the various special supply problems. The surgical instrument list was
prepared from the Catalogue of Standard Surgical Instruments (revised to December, 1917)
and the laboratory list follows the one outlined in a proposed change in the Manual for the
Medical Department and recently furnished the laboratory division of this office by you.

8. It is contemplated that, from time to time, changes may be required in those tables.
Upon the 10th of each month, therefore, a cable will be sent from this office indicating all
items for elimination or addition and all amounts of various items where increases or
reductions are needed to maintain the reserve in our depots at the proper level.

9. An additional copy of the " surgical dressings " sheet is inclosed, for your infor-
mation, with this letter. The monthly requests shown upon this sheet represent a fairly large
item of tonnage. It is the desire here, however, to have these quantities come so long as
the tonnage is available, since at the present time practically no reserve of this class of
finished dressings is in stock in France. Later, if necessary, this ship space may be released
for other purposes and corresponding increases will be made in items needed to replace the
Red Cross dressings here in France, such as gauze, cotton, etc.

(10) The entire study as here presented meets with the approval of the general staff,
and G-l of general headquarters will issue each month an allotment o. tonnage to the
Medical Department, sufficiently ample, it is hoped, not only to provide for the monthly
needs thereof but in amounts sufficiently liberal to provide for an increase in the reserve
now in our depots.

(11) A copy of this communication with all its inclosures complete will be mailed to
you one week from this date in order to assure its reaching your office and copies of the
entire study are on file in the administrative section, general staff, the intermediate medi-
cal supply depot No. 3, and this office. Changes requested from time to time that are
accepted by your office will reach the United States a sufficient time prior to June 1 to
permit of the scheme becoming operative that date. If feasible, an earlier date is desirable
and it is requested that you cable this office to the effect that this communication has been
received, is acceptable, and the date upon which it is to become operative.

Thus three different automatic supply tables, Medical Department,
A. E. F., came into existence: (1) The automatic shipment of initial unit
equipment and initial supply, including medical reserve units. (2) The auto-
matic shipment of initial unit equipment and initial supply, and of the replen-
ishment supplies computed by the Surgeon General. (3) The automatic supply
list forwarded April 2, 1918, by the chief surgeon, and its subsequent
modifications.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 763

These tables differed in no respect in principle. The chief surgeon's list
rearranged the supply table, making a single list alphabetically arranged by
the functions the supplies were designed to fill.

Automatic shipment of the supplies on the basis of the chief surgeon's list
began in June, 1918. s Thereafter there were many changes made in the list by
cable. After the armistice had been signed, discontinuance of the automatic
shipments was requested, and dependence upon requisitions was had for the
comparatively few supplies needed. It is obvious that with the experience
which the American Expeditionary Forces had had at the time the tables were
prepared the medical supply division in France was no better than, if as well
prepared as, the supply division in the Surgeon General's Office to indicate in
detail item by item the probable rates of expenditure. However, it was pre-
pared to indicate the number of units and the type desired, to indicate special
and nonstandard equipment needed for conditions in the American Expedi-
tionary Forces, and to indicate in a general way increases or decreases in
standard items.

At the time the list was prepared (March, 1918), reserve stocks of medical
supplies in the American Expeditionary Forces were small. 8 Rigid dependence
upon the automatic was foreseen; therefore, one of the factors in the determina-
tion of the amounts considered as the supply of 25,000 men for one month was
the necessity of increasing the amounts in reserve. No accurate information
as to the amount of each article that would be used was available, so it was
thought wise to be on the safe side. The amounts specified were excessive
and were recognized as such. 29

It was the purpose of the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to modify the automatic
list from month to month, and, once adequate reserves were established, to
keep pace with the demand. There was overlooked, however, the fact that
this building up of the reserve medical supplies in the American Expeditionary
Forces would not be as apparent to the Surgeon General as to the chief surgeon
A. E. F., and that the imperfect liaison would make it difficult to apprise him
of its existence. Also, there was failure of conception in the supply division
of the chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., as to the Surgeon General's method of
computing total requirements for procurement. It was assumed that American
Expeditionary Forces' requirements would come out of existing stocks in the
United States, to be replaced by equal amounts procured, and that future
curtailments of shipments to France could be compensated by absorption of
the quantities in the needs of the troops in the United States. 30

The Surgeon General, however, had placed orders for the requirements as
he saw them. He considered the automatic list from the American Expedition-
ary Forces as a definite order to be filled, without change. To meet that
requirement, production had to be ordered of the entire amount for a long
period in advance. Once, therefore, the automatic list reached the Surgeon
General, the momentum of the procurement machinery could not be stopped
suddenly, and cancellation of, or reduction in, the quantities called for by the
automatic list inevitably was followed by a surplus in the United States.

The situation in the United States with reference to rail and overseas
transportation was such that supplies to be shipped in any particular month,

764 FINANCE AND RUITLY

had been ordered shipped and had been assembled sometime before shipment
actually was made.

It is apparent that too prompt a reflection of the changes made in the
automatic list was expected in the procurement, transportation, and loading of
supplies. Cabled changes could not be made effective as promptly as expected.

Another factor of importance in connection with the inclusion in the
automatic supply of a factor for reserve is that the rapidly expanded troop
movement multiplied many times any error existing, and increased the absolute
amount of surplus enormously. It is an axiom in supply that the reserve
necessary does not increase in relative proportion to the troops served.

That the Surgeon General's conception of the matter was that outlined
above is amply demonstrated in a number of cables and letters. He proposed
to fill the orders given, but in a number of instances, he called attention to the
apparently excessive amounts, more particularly in connection with equipment
rather than with supplies.

PROCUREMENT IX EUROPE

It was apparent very early, that procurement in Europe and particularly
in France, would be desirable. 31 Cost in money was a secondary consideration;
time and tonnage were the important factors.

During the stay of General Pershing's party in England, the chief surgeon,
A. E. F., had had a study made of the British source of supply. One of the
early assignments in the office of the chief surgeon at Paris was that of a
purchasing officer. Under the provisions of the General Orders, No. 28,
H. A. E. F., August 30, 1917, this officer was detailed for duty with the general
purchasing board. The report which follows, gives in detail the activities
of his office.

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT PURCHASING AND DISBURSING OFFICE, A. E. F. c

Purchasing

The purchasing office, Medical Department, was established as a sub-
division of the general purchasing board and commenced its activities about
the 1st of September, 1917.

There were three distinct functions of this office, the first two of which
were apparent at the beginning, and the third of which became obvious later
when shipping difficulties arose.

The most evident need was to provide for emergency purchases — purchases
of articles that were perishable, such as serums and vaccines; or they were
exhausted at the depots or hospitals owing to unforeseen demands of the
service, or to changes in methods.

The second need was to procure special equipment and materials not on
the Medical Department supply table. This included such articles as special
laboratory equipment and materials for use in the schools of the Medical
Department of the American Expeditionary Forces.

* The following statements of fact are based on " History of Purchasing and Disbursing Office, Medical
Department, A. E. F.," by Col. D. C. Card, M. C. On file, Historical Division, S. G O.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 765

And, finally, as the tonnage question became acute, it was necessary to
purchase supplies of stock material available in France in order to reduce the
tonnage from the United States. Purchases falling under the first two cate-
gories generally were made on requisitions, approved by the chief surgeon,
A. E. F.; in the case of the third class, purchases usually were made in large
quantities by direction of the chief surgeon, for the purpose of stocking the
depots.

French Government ■purchases. — At first, purchase orders of a value not
exceeding 1,000 francs could be placed in the French open market without
authorization of the French Government; but from September, 1918, the limit
was raised to 5,000 francs. Orders in excess of those amounts were made
through the French or British Governments, passing by way of the office of the
general purchasing agent, and also, in the case of the French Government, by
way of the French mission. Where the French Government was unable to
supply the material needed, the purchasing officer was authorized, subject to
the approval of the general purchasing agent, to purchase in the open market.

The orders placed with the French Government were especially for material
for stocking depots. The chief reasons for purchasing through the French were
to avoid elevation of price by the bidding of one Government against another,
and to secure raw material that was under governmental control.

Deliveries of material ordered from the French Service de Sante, were
inspected by an officer from the purchasing office in the packing rooms of the
Service de Sante. Count was made, and at times samples were taken for test-
ing the quality of the material. This inspection before packing avoided much
work and confusion.

Open-market purchases. — When an order was to be placed in the French
open market, several firms were invited to submit estimates in writing and
samples of the article in question. The invitation was extended personally by
an officer of the purchasing office, who could by preliminary investigation judge
whether or not the firm was in position to furnish the article desired. This
procedure was deemed necessary as this office frequently was besieged by agents
and middlemen who were willing to accept any kind of an order and make all
kinds of promises as to delivery which they well knew they would be unable
to fulfill.

In placing the order, the quality of the article, the time delivery could be
made, and the price therefor had to be considered, the relative weight given
these elements being governed by the needs of the service.

For some of the larger purchases, contracts were entered into; but, on
account of the difficulties confronting the merchants, many were unwilling to
sign formal contracts. All orders were placed in accordance either with A. R.
550-1, by contract, or with A. R. 550-3, as emergency purchases. In both
cases, bids from several houses were sought, except for named articles of estab-
lished valve which could only be secured from a particular house.

When articles were unobtainable through the French Government, or in
the open market in France, recourse was had to the purchasing officer for Great
Britain; but this procedure was avoided whenever possible on account of the
difficulties of transportation and the element of time.

766 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Five, sometimes seven, copies were made of the order. These were dis-
tributed to various services for their information. The original went to the
furnisher and one approved copy was retained in the files of this office. A third
copy became part of the records of the office of the general purchasing agent.
The fourth was delivered to the inspection and shipping section for their infor-
mation and for the control of deliveries, inasmuch as dates, quantities, etc., of
deliveries were given on the face of the order. The fifth was retained to be
sent later to the disbursing section with the bill for vouchering and payment.
On stock orders, additional copies were sent, one to the depot for which the
material was ordered, and one to the chief surgeon A. E. F. for his information.

Many difficulties confronted the office in carrying out its functions.
Demands were often urgent, and at times work proceeding in the normal course
had to be dropped in the emergency. In France where stocks were depleted by
three years of war, it was sometimes extremely difficult to find articles that
had been plentiful in times of peace. This was especially true of small quan-
tities of odd articles, for which prolonged search was sometimes necessary. It
was seldom that the article on the medical supply table was to be had, and it
was necessary in all such cases to select a satisfactory substitute from among
articles that were available. Promises were made by the furnishers, ofttimes
only to be broken. Many desired articles had as constituents raw material
under Government control and it took time to arrange for the release of the raw
material for use by the manufacturer. This last mentioned difficulty was one
of the group that assailed the merchant and made him unwilling to sign a con-
tract. Another difficulty was the matter of transportation — a problem that
everyone in France was facing, but which was particularly difficult for the com-
mercial house inasmuch as the railroads were under Government control.
Even with "Certificates of classification of merchandise" it was sometimes
impossible to make shipments. The market was unstable, prices were rising
constantly, and the supply was uncertain. And perhaps most difficult of all
was the question of personnel. The war demanded the able-bodied men, the
skilled men, and left the shops and factories short handed.

For some time there was another element that added to the difficulty of
purchase in the open market. This was a direct competition between different
services of the Army, and also between the Army and the auxiliary organizations
such as the American Red Cross and the Young Men's Christian Association.
At times the Red Cross and the Army would be searching the market for the
same articles for the same place and use. As a result of this competition, the
prices suddenly jumped upward. To put an end to this state of affairs, General
Orders, No. 41, headquarters, Services of Supply, f918, was issued, which placed
articles in definite categories, and each purchasing office was assigned its cate-
gories. This order applied likewise to auxiliary organizations so that they were
authorized to purchase in open market only such items as were unprocurable
through the Army channels of supply, and after approval by the Army pur-
chasing officers and the general purchasing agent.

Shipping. — By February 1. 1918, the purchases had increased considerably.
The Quartermaster Department was crowded with shipping demands, and as
a consequence there was a delay in the shipment of medical supplies urgently

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

767

needed. To relieve the quartermaster of the burden of Medical Department
shipping and at the same time to expedite the shipment of emergency supplies,
a shipping department was started in connection with the purchasing office.
A warehouse was opened at 15 Avenue Ledru-Rollin, and autotrucks were
assigned to it. The warehouse was used for the reception and storage of
incoming goods, for inspection, for checking and packing for shipment.

Shipments of small packages were made by registered mail, express, or
courier, depending upon the urgency and the value of the shipment. Larger
shipments to individual organizations were made by express in less than carload
lots. Material in small quantities destined for the depots was held in the
warehouse until a carload lot had accumulated, and then was shipped in a car
convoyed to its destination. Large amounts of stock material were shipped
in a similar fashion. This was not only the safest method of shipment but
when, as in busy times, two or three carloads were shipped a week, it was the
most rapid.

Results. — A few figures will serve as evidence of results accomplished by
the medical purchasing office:

Francs

Value of orders in France placed up to the signing of the Armistice, November II, 1918:

French Government. . -

French open market

48,313,384.28
18.539,292.07

8,864,841.15
3,401,704.96

Value of orders placed in England through the medical purchasing office in Paris for
the same period: English Government _-

66, 852, 676. 35 12, 266, 5 (6. 1 1

£ s. a.

4.981,333 14 23,732,941.75

Total placed through the medical purchasing office _.

Value of orders of the Medical Department originating in England and placed in Eng-
land for the same period: English Government

214.207 19 14

35, 999, 487. 86
1,020,567.22

Total Medical Department orders placed in Europe.

37,020.055 08

The estimated cubic tonnage represented by the Medical Department
purchases is another index of the results accomplished by the purchasing office.
The medical purchasing office was instrumental in the purchase of 19 hospital
trains, of 16 cars each, in England, and 2 similiar ones in France, and 14 mobile
hospitals, each composed of 27 camions and complete hospital equipment, in
addition to miscellaneous material.

Trains and hospitals cubic tons.. 40, 250

Other materials and supplies do 231, 805

Total do 272,055

Disbursing

With the commencement of Medical Department operations in France, the
disbursing incident thereto was carried on at the base medical supply depot at
Cosne. Soon, however, Paris was recognized as a logical location for a medical
disbursing office.

The reasons for the selection of Paris might be summed up as follows:
(1) It was the place in which the greater proportion of the supplies were
being purchased, and it therefore put the disbursing officer in close touch

768 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

with the purchasing office and with the individuals from whom the materials
were procured, thus avoiding the inconveniences and delays incident to mail
communication. This enabled the disbursing officer to pay for material with
the least possible delay after its delivery to the American Expeditionary Forces.
(2) The French Government was furnishing large quantities of material to
the American Expeditionary Forces, and it was necessary to be in close
touch with the French Government officials in order to facilitate the work
of reimbursement.

In a memorandum of September 22, 1917, from the chief surgeon, A. E. F.,
to the chief of staff, it was suggested that, in view of the trouble experienced
and needless delays caused by the transmission of vouchers to and from Cosne,
the Medical Department purchasing officer be made disbursing officer. This
appointment was made, by cablegram, dated October 5, 1917; however, the
office at Cosne continued for some time to do practically all the disbursing
of the Medical Department, A. E. F., no disbursing personnel having been
assigned to the Paris office. On April 6, 1918, Fes. 5,000,000 were transferred
to the credit of the medical purchasing officer in Paris and, the necessary
personnel having reported, work of paying the accumulation of French Govern-
ment bills was begun.

The chief function of the disbursing office was paying for materials ordered
from private individuals and firms by the purchasing office in Paris, and paying
for materials obtained from the French Government, whether or not these
materials were ordered here.

Payments to private individuals and firms. — Difficulties in paying for
purchases from private individuals and firms were avoided by having the
material inspected by and shipment made under the supervision of an officer
from the purchasing office. It was therefore possible for the purchasing officer
to approve bills and execute the second certificate on Form 330 without waiting
for receipts from the consignees, thereby facilitating payment.

Payments to French Government — Purchases from the French Government
may be divided as follows: (1) Purchases made by this office on written orders
or contract. (2) Incidental purchases made by base surgeons, hospitals, and
units in the field. (3) Hospital equipment taken over by American hospital
organizations. This latter class comprised in many cases fully equipped base,
camp, and field hospitals, and ambulances.

Bills were submitted in quadruplicate by the French Government to the
liaison office. There they were numbered, the number being prefixed by a
letter to indicate the French service furnishing the material, "S-" for "Service
de Sante", "A—" for Service d'Artillerie", etc. They were then distributed
by the American liaison officer to the American departments properly charge-
able with payment.

At first, these bills were sent out to the organizations receipting for the
material, for preparation of the necessary forms, and in order that the material
might be taken up on the return of the accountable officer; this procedure was
found to be impracticable due to the mixed and complicated character of the
bills and also on account of the loss of bills and delay in the mail. Therefore
vouchers covering these bills were prepared in this office and the second certifi-

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

769

cate thereon executed by the purchasing officer, on the basis of the provisional
receipt, after having changed this certificate to read: "Received by the A. E. F."
or "Received by the Medical Department," instead of "Received by me." The
material was not taken up on the return of the purchasing officer; instead a
copy of the Form 12 was sent as an invoice to the officer receipting for the
material with the request that he take up the property on his return and send
his voucher number to the chief surgeon, A. E. F.

Three main difficulties were encountered: (1) the bills were submitted in
the French language and therefore required translation. (2) The supply tables
of the different departments of the French Army did not agree in all cases with
the supply tables of the respective departments of the American Army; there-
fore bills often were received covering materials to be paid for by two or more
departments. For example a bill from the French Service de Sant6, covering
the taking over of a hospital, usually included some material to be paid for by
the Medical Department and some by the Quartermaster Department, as well
as items chargeable against the hospital fund of the new organization. (3)
Materials ordered by the purchasing office frequently were furnished by French
depots elsewhere than Paris and shipment made direct to American organi-
zations, and this office often received no notification of shipment. In many of
these cases, as well as in cases of materials turned over to units in the field on
orders other than from this office, proper receipts were not obtained.

In the case of bills covering materials chargeable against hospital funds,
checks were obtained from the proper organization in favor of the French
Government for the amounts of such supplies. These checks were then sub-
mitted to the French Government, together with checks in payment of the
medical portions of the bills. In the case of bills containing medical and
quartermaster supplies, if the medical portion of the bill were larger, the bill
was paid by this department and a bill submitted to the other department for
reimbursement, in line with Aimy Regulations, 671.

In cases falling under the third category, efforts were made to secure
proper receipts. If unsuccessful, the matter was submitted to the board of
contracts and adjustments for authority to make payment.

Results. — The following table shows the number of vouchers and amount
of funds disbursed for each month from December, 1917, to June, 1919:

Year and month

1917
December

1918

January

February _'_"_" ".'.'.11. .1'.

March

April

May .....'.......

June

July .'..""."'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.

August

September..

October ['_

30663—28 49

Number

of
vouchers

2
2
3
173
313
436
324
2SS
271
308

Amount
disbursed

$1,186.00

96.
1, 120.

in,:."-:.

250, 453.
376, 425.

>.".». 6211.
512,838.
546, 909.
681,737.
527, 645.

Year and month

1918— Continued

November

December

1919

January

February

March

April

May

June -

Total .

Number

of
vouchers

210

218

221
94

102
45
41
24

Amount
disbursed

$274,
671,

806.
69,

239,
57,
37,
13.

610.33

977.99

512.94
582.58
899.22
726.41
865.71
722,44

3.078 5,969.218.49

770 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

STORAGE AND ISSUE DEPOTS

Reference was made above to the shipments, in June, 1917, of medical
supplies from the United States, comprising divisional field units, base and
evacuation hospital units, and medical reserve units, for the earliest combat
divisions of the American Expeditionary Forces. About July 10, 1917, these
supplies began to arrive in France, at the port of St. Nazaire.

At this time the extent to which America would contribute troops was
probably not realized, and perhaps, also, the exact location of the operations
to be performed.

Because the channel ports were overtaxed by the British requirements,
the United States was practically limited to ports south of Cherbourg. Among
these latter Brest was served by a long rail line, and the acute car shortage
in France made service on this line difficult. St. Nazaire was the port chosen
as the initial base, and it was, therefore, at St. Nazaire that the initial ship-
ment arrived. 32

There was immediate recognition in the Medical Department, A. E. F.,
that a depot not only nearer the front than St. Nazaire but also accessible to
other ports to which shipments might arrive was required. 33 Selection had
been made of a most satisfactory building at Nevers, but just before the ship-
ment of the supplies from St. Nazaire was effected word came that this build-
ing had been transferred to another service and that the Medical Department
had been assigned space at Cosne. Shipment was made to that point, and
upon July 8, 1917, the depot at Cosne was inaugurated.

The site of a medical supply depot was determined, first, by its facility to
serve the troops, and, second, by accessibility thereto from the ports. With
supplies in small quantities arriving at several ports, it was necessary to estab-
lish the first depot at a central point since the supplies received at any one port
were not sufficient in quantity nor sufficiently balanced to stock a depot in each
port. 8 Later, another factor affected the matter — the necessity for clearing the
ports.

It will be of material assistance if, in reading the history of this develop-
ment, one will bear in mind the fact that while supplies in large quantities were
received, for most of the period the demand was using up the supplies almost
as fast as they arrived, and that while, later, certain supplies came in larger
quantities than were immediately required, there was never a time during the
period of active hostilities when there was such a surplus of all supplies as
would enable the complete stocking of a second depot.

The Medical Department was meeting its needs from Cosne, and therefore
Cosne had to be kept stocked. It could never divert shipments from Cosne in
all articles for such a period as would enable it to transfer its activities to
another depot.

General Orders, No. 20, H. A. E. F., August 13, 1917, prescribed the limits
of the Line of Communications, A. E. F., and constituted base section No. 1,
base section No. 2, and the intermediate section. General Orders, No. 66,
H. A. E. F., November 27, 1917, constituted base section No. 4 on the channel
ports and base section No. 3 in England, and constituted base section No. 5

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FOBCES

771

at Brest, which had theretofore been part of base section No. 1. General
Orders, No. 75, H. A. E. F., December 14, 1917, prescribed the advance section,
Line of Communications, and delimited the sections a little more definitely.

As stated above, in General Pershing's memorandum of August 20, 1917,
concerning automatic supply, the following distribution of stock in France was
prescribed: 45 days at base depots; 30 days at intermediate depots; 15 days
at advance depots. So far as the Medical Department was concerned, no
immediate change in its practice was required by this order. The problem
was not to distribute 90 days' supply in the proportion prescribed. There was
not then, and there was not for months afterwards, anything approaching 90

1

j^L

1 — 1

•

j^^

'

Fig. 43.— Intermediate Medical Supply Depot, N T o. 2, Gievres; entrance

days' medical supplies. In many articles there was never at any time any
such quantity, so that the supply division remained as before, faced with the
problem of supplying the ever-increasing needs from an exceedingly small stock
that increased little, if any, beyond the demand. However, in certain items
the receipts became greater than the current issues and it was possible to begin
the stocking of depots other than the one at Cosne.

Since there was practically no unused storage space in France, the Ameri-
can Expeditionary Forces very promptly developed plans for construction to
meet its own needs. 34 In each of the depots projected the Medical Depart-
ment was to be assigned space, and the supply division, chief surgeon's office,
Line of Communications, was called upon to estimate the amount needed by

772

FINANCE AND STXPPLY

the Medical Department and to determine the proportion in which such con-
struction would he needed in the various sections of France.

Aside from the medical supply depot at Cosne, which was not connected
with any other depot activity, the first space assigned to the Medical Depart-
ment under this arrangement was at Gievrcs, in the intermediate section, where
intermediate depot No. 2 was established and where the Medical Department
began its activities on October 10, 1917. 8 Shortly thereafter space was
assigned to the Medical Department at Is-sur-Tille in the advance section,
where advance depot No. 1 was established. Medical supply personnel arrived
at Is-sur-Tille on November 18, 1017, although no supplies reached there,
until a month later. 2 Similar assignment of space was made later at St. Sulpice,

Fig. 44.— Advance Medical Supply Depot, No. 1, Is-sur-Tille; general view

in base section No. 2; at Montoir, in base section No. 1; at Marseille, in base
section No. 6; and after the armistice had been signed, at Montierchaume (a
duplicate of Gievres), in the intermediate section. A second duplicate was
contemplated at Le Mans in the intermediate section. 8

After the establishment of the depot at Is-sur-Tille, the immediate problem
was to establish and i.mintain a stock at that point to supply adequately the
troops in that area. It was not possible to stock every item for, as has
been said, there was not sufficient stock in France to provide completely for
two depots.

During the winter of 1917-18 many base hospitals either had been estab-
lished or were being built in the neighborhood of Is-sur-Tille. The supply

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 773

requirements of these units were large. Since the primary purpose of the
advance depot at Is-sur-Tille was to supply the combat troops, instructions
were issued thai these permanent installations, except in emergencies, would
obtain their supplies direct from the intermediate depot. 35

It is obvious that this practice avoided double handling of the supplies
and conserved transportation. Later when these base hospital units became
enlarged and the available supplies became greater, the practice was to (ill
their requirements from the base ports, thus doing away with still another
shipment and further conserving tonnage. (See "Controlled stores" and
"Hospital center depots.")

Is-sur-Tille, therefore, was supplied initially from Cosne with large quan-
tities of those items whose use by troops in the field was to be expected, and
a 10-day automatic shipment from Cosne was instituted. This was supple-
mented, however, by special requisitions made by the officer in charge at
Is-sur-Tille, and from time to time modifications in the "automatic" were
asked for by him.

Since the supply division was working upon a small balance, the condition
of the stock at this depot was always a matter of grave concern. A semimonthly
stock report was required, one copy going to the officer in charge at the Cosne
depot, another to the chief surgeon's office. Always in both places the stock
report was checked carefully, and shipments were made without requisitions,
if the stock on hand appeared to be below the minimum.

For a long time, considerable difficulty was experienced in reconciling the
requirements of the Is-sur-Tille depot with the available stock in France and
the need for this material in the installations not supplied by Is-sur-Tille. It
was, necessarily, a hand-to-mouth policy. 36 Though Is-sur-Tille had its full
share of supplies, even in the early days we had to rely upon small but frequent
shipments. In field supplies it was given the major portion, and in such
materials as prepared dressings, and splints which were obtained in a large
measure from the American Red Cross, Is-sur-Tille was made the main depot.
Also, in the later period, Is-sur-Tille was supplied directly from the base ports,
the supplies arriving at Marseille being particularly applicable to this method
of supplying this depot.

Is-sur-Tille, though a Services of Supply depot, was placed eventually under
the jurisdiction of a representative of G-4, general headquatcrs, A.E.F., and
issues therefrom to the troops were made under his direction.

With the establishment of intermediate depot No. 2 at Gievres, and the
assignment of space thorein to the Medical Department, it was possible for
the Medical Department to contemplate the concentration in that depot, of all
its supply activities in the intermediate section and the limitation of the activities
of the medical depot at Cosne." The reason for this was: The two depots were
in the same general area, were served by the same railroads, and could effici-
ently make issues only to the same forces. Since Gievres was to have better
facilities than Cosne, and it was undesirable that two depots should serve
identical forces, the initial assignment of personnel to Gievres was made with
the thought that the entire personnel of the Cosne depot would soon follow and

774 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

that the supplies would be diverted to Gievres when that depot was ready to
function. Pending that time, Gievres was considered, so far as the issue of
medical supplies was concerned, as a subsidiary of the depot at Cosne and
issues were made only upon the order of the officer in charge of the Cosne
depot, transmitted either as extracts of requisitions or by telephone. Shipment
in carload lots from Gievres was the rule, issues in detail being made from
Cosne. 8 Requisitions continued to be sent to Cosne; however, the depot at
Gievres, within this period, was prepared as an issue depot in order that in
an emergency it might replace Cosne.

To summarize, then, early in 1918 there were three medical supply depots
in Fiance: Intermediate medical supply depot No. 3, at Cosne, and interme-
diate medical supply depot No. 2 at Gievres, both in the intermediate section,
and one, advance medical supply depot No. 1, in the advance section at Is-sur-
Tille. Cosne was in active operation. Gievres was operating as a subsidiary
of Cosne. Is-sur-Tille was completely stocked so far as field supplies were
concerned, and was depended upon as the source of supply for the divisional
troops. These troops were now in training areas in the advance section and
were soon to be put into the line.

At this time the chief surgeon was concerned with two situations. One
was the distance of Is-sur-Tille from the front line and from the troops it was
to supply. It was admirably situated for the supply of items whose rate of
usage was fairly constant and the need for which could therefore be anticipated.
This was particularly so with supplies used in large quantities. Its location
as the most advanced depot was not satisfactory from the standpoint of the
supply of items used in small quantities and at an inconstant rate. Such a
condition applied to many items of medical supply of great importance; the
demand therefor could not be foreseen.

It is impracticable, or at least undesirable, to carry in the equipment of the
combat troops even a small quantity of each of such items. The lack of such
an item may be of vital importance to the individual needing it. It may even
be of importance to the Army as a whole in that the early use of such an item
may prevent the development of an epidemic. Repeated failure to furnish the
supply might have its repercussion in the morale of the Army. These items
can therefore only be supplied as emergency supplies. Adequate service involves
proximity to the troops or available transportation for speedy delivery of emer-
gency requirements.

Medical officers of combat troops should have the assurance that such
speedy supply will be forthcoming. If they have not that assurance they will
attempt to prevent disaster by having in their own possession supplies for all
possible emergencies. This results in encumbering the troops. That is exactly
what happened in the American Expeditionary Forces. Two divisions in line,
early in 1918, were ordered to move; large quantities of medical supplies were
necessarily left behind in the area turned over to an ally. 8 No blame can be
attached to this action for it was wise and far sighted, in view of the fact that
methods of warfare were new and the equipment and remedial agents to be
required uncertain.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

775

ADVANCE DEPOTS AND ARMY PARKS

To obviate the necessity for repeating such a disposal of medical supplies,
the chief surgeon, Line of Communications, on February 11, 1918, recommended
to the commanding general, Line of Communications, that the Medical Depart-
ment be authorized to provide itself with one or more small storage warehouses,
with a capacity of approximately 5,000 square feet of floor space each, so situ-
ated that they could be reached by motor truck from the troops in the held. 38
No elaborate system of issue was contemplated; all that was desired was simply
a " dump " where the essential articles, such as ether, gauze, dressings, morphine,
first-aid packets, and standard Red Cross dressings could be stored and issued
in emergencies. Since Is-sur-Tille was too far removed from the front line to
be reached by motor truck with advantage and since rail transportation there-
from for less than carload lots was necessarily slow, it was considered as not
being suitable for the most advanced medical depot.

As a result of this recommendation a building in Nancy was made available
to the Medical Department for the purposes outlined, but before it could be
occupied American troops had been moved to a section for whose supply Nancy
was not suitable.

On April 12, 1918, this principle of maintaining a small amount of stores
sufficiently close to the front-line troops so as to be quickly transportable there
by motor truck, for emergency use, was applied by general headquarters,
A. E. F., not only to the Medical Department, but to other supply departments
as well. 37 On that date, the regulating officer was directed to maintain a small
supply of stores, at or near the railheads for emergency issue only. To carry
out these instructions the assistant chief of staff, G-4, general headquarters,
asked the chief surgeon to submit a list showing what Medical Department
stores should be maintained by the local supply officer at the railhead. 39

On April 25, 1918, the chief surgeon, A. E. F., submitted a list of supplies
comprising twice the equipment of a field hospital, less stationery, and extra
articles, such as anesthetics, first-aid packages, front-line parcels, splints and
splint equipment, muslin bandages, and adhesive plaster. 40 On May 24, this
list was revised downward, both as to the number of articles and the amounts, 41
at the instance of the assistant chief of staff, general headquarters, and again
on June 1, 1918. 42 The final revision comprised the following articles: 42

Proponed list of reserve stock of medical supplies at railheads

Aspirin, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottles bottle..

Chloroform, K pound in tin tins..

Uydrargyri chloridum corrosivum tablets (antisep-
tic) (Par. 902), 250 in bottle bottle..

Iodum-potassii iodidum, in tube tubes..

Morphina; sulphas:

S-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20 in tube ..do

8-mgm. tablets, 000 in 3-ounce tin.. __tin._

Oleum rioini, 3 pints in tin do

Petrolatum, in 12-ounee tin . do

Bandages, gauze, compressed, 3 sizes, 1 gross in box

boxes..

Cotton, absorbent:

In roll pounds..

Sterilized, in 1-ounce package packages..

20

100

Gauze, sublimated, 2 half-yard lengths in package
packages. .

Pins, safety, 3 sizes _ dozen..

Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 5 yards by 2V$ inches,
spools spools. .

Splints:

Coaptation, 5 in set sets..

Wire gauze, for, 1 yard in roll rolls..

Sutures, catgut, plain sterilized, in tubes tubes..

Ether, J^-pound tins number..

Individual dressing packages do

Shell-wound dressings do

Front-line parcels:

Red label __ ...do

White label do

Blue label _. . do

7.-II
12

12
50
9; (
100

.-,(«)

250

■Mid
200

20U

776 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

SPLINTS AND SPLINT EQUIPMENT

20
50
103

Supporting slings, three sizes number

Cotton wadding, rolls, 5-ineh do_.

Muslin bandages, 4-inch do..

Sodium bicarbonate ..pounds.. 100

Sodium carbonate do 10 °

Oxygen tanks number.. 1

Inhalators do 1

Thomas full ring extension leg splint number.. 18

Thomas half ring extension leg splint do 18

Thomas hinged extension arm splint do 18

Thomas straight extension arm splint do 2

Wood splints, 4-foot lengths. do 23

Triangular bandages do 50

On June 5, 1918, the medical representatives of the chief surgeon in the
fourth section of the general staff, general headquarters, were given the prob-
lem of developing a list of replenishment medical supplies for an army park,
to be located near Paris, as follows :

Memorandum for all divisions of G-4:

1. Colonel Moseley has gone to Paris to-day to select a site at which to locate an
"army park" for the supply of the divisions served from the regulating stations at Nantes
and Le Bourget. Effort will be made to secure this place in the vicinity of Melun.

2. The park will have for its personnel a commanding officer, representatives of each
supply department, and necessary labor. Two or three truck companies will be attached for
the purpose of forwarding supplies to the "issue points" of the divisions.

3. Automatic supplies and ammunition supplies for the divisions will be forwarded
through the regulating stations by rail as at present. A reserve stock of these supplies
will be maintained at the park, available to be forwarded by truck in case of emergency.

4. All class 2, 3, and 4 supplies, except ammunition, will be forwarded from the park.

5. The park will, in the absence of army headquarters, be under direct control of these
headquarters through the regulating officer who is a member of G-4.

6. It is desired that each division of this section make a study of this matter and

submit recommendations as to the quantity of stores which will be maintained by the

departments which they represent.

Geo. Van Horn Moseley,

Colonel, General Staff,
Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4-
Copy to Major Tuttle, medical supplies.
Action was taken thereon by the medical representatives and the following

memoranda submitted:

General Headquarters,

American Expeditionary Forces,

G-l General Staff,

France, June 7, 1918.
Memorandum for assistant chief of staff, G-4 :
Subject: Medical Department supplies proposed for army dump.

1. The following lists represent Medical Department supplies proposed for maintenance
at an army dump. It is the understanding tnat these will be stored under canvas and that
the personnel of a small supply unit will be in charge. The basis used has been one combat
division for eight days, issues to be made from these stores direct to division by motor trans-
portation. It has been assumed that all varieties of Medical Department supplies ordinarily
required by combat troops for replacement only should be stocked at this depot. The initial

equipment of units has, therefore, not been considered.

A. P. Clark,

Major, Medical Corps, United States Army.

General Headquarters,
American Expeditionary Forces,

G-l, General Staff,

June 10, 1918.
Memorandum for Colonel Wadhams:

1. The study indicated in paragraph 6 of Colonel Moseley's memorandum was turned
over to me for completion.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 777

2. The lists were rapidly prepared after a careful interpretation of the memorandum
had been received and after consultation with Colonel Stark, Colonel Siler, Major Tuttle,
and Doctors Barr and Wagoner.

3. One copy complete is furnished you for your information and files.

A. P. Clark,
Major, M. C, Med. Rep. with G-l.

Fourth Section, General Staff,

June 9, 1918.
From: Commander in Chief.

To: Commanding General, Services of Supply (C. S.).
Subject: Proposed Medical Department supply table for an army park, on a divisional factor

1. Inclosed herewith is a list of supplies to be maintained at army parks as the occasion
requires. This list has been prepared at these headquarters but is subject to such modifi-
cations as the chief surgeon may see fit to make Anv changes made by him should be
furnished these headquarters in order that the retained lists on file here may be corrected.

2. This list has been arranged upon a divisional basis and represents a supply for eight
days. For each park established the supplies to be maintained therein can be readily
determined by multiplying this unit by the number of divisions to be served.

3. As mentioned in letter to you from these headquarters dated June 7, 1918, an army
park is now in process of establishment at Lieusaint, on the line between Paris and Melun.
For the present this park will be called upon to supply the 1st, 2d, and 3d Divisions.
Therefore, three times the quantities herein shown should be maintained at that depot.
Steps have already been taken to have the chief surgeon recommend for assignment there
one officer and such other personnel as may be needed to properly carry on this supply
function.

4. Similar parks may be established from time to time. As a result of the experience
to be gained in the operation of the park at Lieusaint it is expected that changes in the
original list will become necessary. Every effort should be made to reduce it as soon as
possible to a practical basis and then adopt a standard supply table which will be applicable
in meeting these supply emergencies wherever they arise.

By order of the commander in chief.

Geo. Van Horn Moseley

Colonel, General Staff,
Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4-

In the meantime, the need for the supplies had become acute. The chief
surgeon, A. E. F., by telephone, directed the medical supply officer at Cosne to
make an emergency shipment, using his own judgment as to the items and
quantities to be shipped, and stating that the list would be furnished him later.
The supplies, accompanied by a detachment, were sent forward by truck, and
the first army medical park was established at Columniers where there was
also an evacuation hospital. Later it was moved to Lieusaint, where an army
park had been established.

To representatives of the chief surgeon, who visited the depot at Lieusaint,
it became apparent that a complete stock could not have been supplied under
the conditions set forth. Furthermore there were difficulties connected with
replenishment. Requests therefor could not be sent direct to the intermediate
depot by the medical supply officer, but bad to go through G-4 and the regu-
lating officer. There was an apparent shortage in the depot stock in certain
essential items, such as ether, and blankets. Accordingly a conference with
the assistant chief of staff, G^l, was asked for and obtained. The opinion

778 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

was expressed by him that the supplies the army called for must be furnished,
and that the Services of Supply must not be in a position to veto supplies
asked for. The chief surgeon's representatives pointed out that far from veto-
ing requisitions, the Medical Department was extremely desirous of getting
supplies forward and keeping the stock adequate, that they were there for the
furtherance of that purpose, but were stopped from sending supplies without
authority of the army.

As a result of the conference, the representatives of the chief siirgeon were
authorized to use the chief of staff's name on telegrams asking for immediate
replenishment and were requested to prepare a list of the minimum stock to be
carried at the depot and to stock the depot with the material so listed. The
immediate needs were shipped and the list prepared.

For the operations of the Paris group, the depots at Cosne and Gievres
functioned as advance depots. 43 Frequently, shipments were made by truck
train, notwithstanding the distance. Following the operations of June, and
July, 1918, the progress of the First Army w T as so fast that no further permanent
establishments were made, the need being met by the establishment of army
parks and dumps.

As stated above, the original basis for the stock to be carried in these
dumps was the replacements necessary for one combat division for eight days,
and the officer in charge was authorized to maintain in storage, as many times
this amount as there were divisions in his sector. However, a policy was
developed gradually of establishing corps or army dumps for which there was
authorized a fixed stock maximum without reference to the number of combat
units to be supplied, but based more upon the number of dumps established in
relationship to the known number of divisions to be employed in the operation. 29

The logical stock for army or corps dumps included only items of combat
equipment and supplies and trench stores, and divisional units would naturally
requisition such articles only, but in the early days of the development of the
corps echelon, it was necessary for these dumps to carry limited replacements
for such units as mobile and evacuation hospitals. This produced a useless
dispersion of equipment difficult to obtain and quickly rendered immobile a
unit which of necessity must remain mobile.

It became the policy to confine items on the fixed stock maximum of such
dumps to those of combat material and trench stores alone. This necessitated
the establishment of a new echelon, inasmuch as large hospitals in the advance
zone were required to replenish their stock from an advance supply unit. 29

The establishment of fully stocked army advance medical supply depots,
on the basis of one per army, was contemplated. 29 So far as quantities were
concerned, the depot was to be upon a very limited time basis. The functions
of this larger army unit were to be, primarily, to fill the calls of the army or
corps dumps, and, secondarily, to fill requisitions from medical units in the
advance zone. So far as possible, it was to be relieved of the latter function
by direct shipments to the unit from the Services of Supply. The limits of
the fixed stock maximum for both of these units were to be fixed by the army
G-4, upon the recommendation of the army chief surgeon, and were to be
modified only by the same authority. The army advance medical supply

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 779

depot was essentially an army unit and under the direct control of the army
commander through his chief surgeon.

The method of requisitioning upon dumps was necessarily informal, by
requests sent direct to the dumps. The method contemplated for replenishment
of dumps from army advance depots was also an informal call, showing
shortages in authorized stock. 29

The contemplated procedure for replenishment of army advance depots
was the automatic shipment of the differences between the stock maximum
and the amounts shown on stock reports to be rendered periodically by the
army advance depots direct to the forward .Services of Supply unit.- 9

BASE STORAGE DEPOTS AND BASE SECTION DEPOTS

Conditions at the base ports were such as to make efficient handling and
speedy despatch of medical supplies difficult. This difficulty was common to
all services, but in view of the lack of reserves of medical supplies in France,
was a matter that gave much concern to the chief surgeon.

For a considerable length of time equipment at these ports was inadequate;
dock capacity was inadequate; in some instances the depth of channel was
insufficient for many of the ships used; personnel was limited; railroad equip-
ment was scarce. But because of the lack, entire lack in some ports, of
warehouse space, it was necessary to keep the ports clear, so ships were
unloaded directly into freight cars. As stated above, representatives of the
Medical Department were from the very first, assigned to the duty of sorting
the cargo as it was unloaded, claiming Medical Department material, assem-
bling it, and despatching it to the intermediate depots. After the entire
responsibility for this work was devolved upon the newly created transportation
department, these representatives of the Medical Department remained as a
necessary aid to that service in the identification and disposition of Medical
Department material.''

From the first, classification warehouses were a pressing need. In a memo-
randum to the commanding general, Line of Communications, on January 24,
1918, the chief surgeon, Line of Communications, stressed the importance of
establishing at the base ports classification warehouses for medical supplies so
as to obviate the indiscriminate loading of such supplies into freight cars because
of the nonavailability of warehouse space. 44 General headquarters, A. E. F.,
on February 2, 1918, approved the recommendation, and left its adoption to
the commanding general, Line of Communications. 45 Accordingly, instruc-
tions were sent by the commanding general, Line of Communications, on Feb-
ruary 6, 1918, to the base ports then being used, to provide such space if
possible. 46 Since all supply departments were making like insistent requests,
however, no suitable warehouse space could be set aside for the exclusive use
of the Medical Department, until after the construction of classification yards,
then in progress, had been accomplished. 47

In base section No. 1, on April 23, 1918, 20,000 square feet were made
available to the Medical Department in the base storage depot at Montoir, 3
miles from St. Nazaire. On May 1, 1918, the medical depot at this point was
established. Under date of May 27, 1918, 100,000 square feet of the projected

780

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

construction was allotted to the Medical Department. On October 1, 1918,
space was secured in Nantes.

In base section No. 2, on July 6, 1918, space was made available to the
Medical Department at St. Sulpice, just outside Bordeaux.

MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF MEDICAL SUPPLY ESTABLISHMENTS

A.E.F.

In base section No. 6, on July 8, 1918, space was assigned in the ware-
houses taken over from the Allies, at Marseille.

In base section No. 5, on December 21, 1918, a depot was established at
Brest.

The development of these depots will be discussed in greater detail under
"Controlled stores."

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 781

HOSPITAL CENTER DEPOTS

Upon the adoption of the plan of concentrating beds in hospital centers,
there was need in each center of more than 5,000 beds for an issuing medical
supply depot. The original plans called for storage space — one building 20 by
150 feet — for each component base hospital, and, in adddition, there was to be
a sorting warehouse 24 by 50 feet for all supplies for each hospital. 48 These
facilities, the chief surgeon believed would not meet the supply needs of the
Medical Department. Accordingly he recommended on April 23, 1918, that
an issue depot be established at each hospital center, to replace the separate
storage buildings mentioned above, thus affording opportunity for direct ship-
ment thereto from the base ports of carload lots, economy of use, and
elimination of the possibilities of an embargo in times of railroad stress.

The recommendation of the chief surgeon was approved forthwith by the
commanding general, Services of Supply, action to be taken in individual cases
as supply of labor and materials became available. 49

CONTROLLED STORES

During the long period in which intermediate medical supply depot No. 3
at Cosne, was the only completely stocked medical depot in France, and the
only issue depot, American forces were being located in increasing numbers, at
widely scattered points and frequently in small detachments.

The chief surgeon attempted to effect the prompt supply of these troops
and in the case of those located near the base ports, to avoid back shipments
from Cosne by authorizing the larger medical units in the areas to carry a
reserve beyond their own needs, and by directing them to supply the material
needed by the smaller unit in an emergency. This was done in both the
advance section 50 and the base ports. 51

Continued efforts to speed up the establishment of medical supply depots
in the advance section and at the base ports were made. However, these
projects were but part of the construction program of the American Expe-
ditionary Forces, and but part of the construction for the Medical Department.
The departments having such construction in charge were confronted by an
Herculean task and were working to maximum capacity.

It was particularly desirable to avoid, so far as possible, back shipments
from Cosne of bulky articles such as beds and mattresses. It was not yet
possible to avoid such back shipment of the smaller items, of which the full
supply for France came in "packed boxes."

The following correspondence shows what was done in base section No. 1.
The action in this base section was followed by similar action for the others.

Services of Supply,

Office of the Surgeon, Base Section No. 1,

France, March 26, 1918.
From: Surgeon.

To: Chief Surgeon, Services of Supply.

Subject: Medical supplies.

1. New camps are constantly being established in this base section on short notice,

and it is necessary frequently to provide such camps with medical supplies for immediate

use until they can be obtained from the depots on requisition.

782 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

2. In order to meet these emergencies, authority is requested to obtain and keep on
hand at the medical property warehouse, at these headquarters, a moderate number of
medical and surgical chests, M. and S. (supplementary), venereal prophylaxis units, the
drugs needed to renew those in the chests, and blank forms, until such time as an issue
depot may be established in or near the city where these headquarters are located.

Chas. L. Foster,
Lieut. Colonel, Med. Corps, United States of America.
[First indorsement]

C. S. O., A. E. F., Hdqrs. S. O. S., March 29, 1918. To the surgeon, base section Xo. 1.

1. You are authorized to divert and keep on hand in the medical property storehouse
a reasonable amount of medical supplies, the number to be determined by you, for distri-
bution to the units coming into your section. The necessity for an issue depot at the base
ports is realized by the chief surgeon. He has, however, learned from experience that diffi-
culties arise with two depots furnishing supplies and he therefore desires that all units in your
section receiving supplies from you in this manner forward their requisitions for other
supplies made upon the intermediate medical supply depot through you, in order that you
may exercise some control.

2. It is desired that in all cases where boxes are diverted, the number of the box, the
shipping direction, and the contents thereof, be reported to the O. I. C intermediate
medical supply depot Xo. 3.

By direction of the Chief Surgeon:

X. L. McDiahmid,
Major, Medical Corps, United States Army.

American Expeditionary Forces,

Headquarters Services of Supply,

March 30, 1918.
Memorandum to the officer in command intermediate medical supply depot Xo. 3, A. E. F.
1. The surgeon, base section Xo. 1, has been authorized to divert to storehouse at that
port a reasonable amount of medical supplies for distribution to troops in that vicinity and
to incoming troops. He has been directed to furnish you with a complete list of markings
on the boxes and their contents and has been instructed to have all reqviisitions from
organizations who are supplied in this way come through his office.
By direction of the Chief Surgeon:

X. L. McDiarmid,
Major, Medical Corps.
[First indorsement]

A. E. F., intermediate medical supply depot Xo. 3, France, April 6, 1918. To the
chief surgeon, A. E. F.

1. Returned. Request that the surgeon, base section Xo. 1, transmit a copy of his
bimonthly stock report to this office, and that he be directed to ship, upon telegraphic
request from this depot, any stock needed in emergency.

2. Request to be informed if stock so diverted at the base will be invoiced to the
the surgeon, base section Xo. 1.

J. R. Mount,
Major, Medical Corps.
[Second Indorsement]

C S. O., A. E. F., Headquarters S. O. S., France, April 9, 1918. To the surgeon, base
section Xo. 1, A. E. F.

1. It is believed that the bi-monthly stock report required by general headquarters of
all supply depots should be made by the depot at your port. A copy is to be furnished
this office and to the intermediate medical supply depot Xo. 3, and to the coordinating sec-
tion of the general staff, general headquarters. It is assumed that shipments upon tele-

MEDICAL, SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 783

graphic request from the officer in command, intermediate medical supply depot No. 3, will

be made. Your recommendation concerning the second paragraph is requested.

By direction of the chief surgeon:

N. L. McDiarmid,

Major, Medical Corps.
IT bird Indorsement}

S. O. S., office of surgeon, base section No. 1, France, April 16, 1918. To the chief
surgeon, A. E. F., S. O. S.

1. Returned. It is believed that for the present, while maintaining only a small emer-
gency stock of supplies, that the stock diverted should be invoiced to the intermediate med-
ical supply depot No. 3, as at present, and that depot kept informed of supplies diverted
and issued on bi-monthly reports.

Chas. L. Foster,
Lieutenant Colonel, Medical Corps, United Slates of America.

The plan of the chief surgeon for the distribution of supplies and the
methods actually used in the period of development of the American Expedi-
tionary Forces have been sufficiently outlined above so far as the organization on
the Line of Communications was concerned. The plan was to decentralize, but
the execution of this plan had been delayed because of two necessities: The
shortage of stock in France; the absence of depots in the base sections, thus
further necessitating awaiting construction before their establishment could be
effected.

The status of early June is shown by the following letter sent in response
to a memorandum of June 6, calling for the scheme or system of supply for
units and stations in the intermediate and base sections.

Office of the Chief Surgeon,
American Expeditionary Forces,
Headquarters Services of Supply,

France, June 11, 1918.
From: The chief surgeon, A. E. F.

To: The assistant chief of staff, G-4, Services of Supply.
Subject: Your file No. 1499— G-4.

1. As inclosures hereto there are two copies of Circular No. 12, chief surgeon's office,
showing the procedure now in force for the supply of troops in the intermediate and base
sections.

2. In addition, base hospitals in the advance section have been directed to forward
their requisitions to Cosne, in view of the fact that their requisitions are sufficiently large
to warrant shipments in carload lots and are seldom emergency requisitions. The officer
in charge of intermediate medical supply depot No. 3 has been authorized to modify requi-
sitions to meet the needs of his stocks.

3. Heretofore only two depots have been issue depots — Is-sur-Tille and Cosne. It is
contemplated that in the near future depots will open at base sections No. 2 and No. 1, and
at a number of the large hospital centers. This will necessitate a change iti the plan, and
the following program is proposed:

(a) Requisitions from <rganizations within a section to go to the chief surgeon of that
section for his action; to be transmitted by him direct to the depot within the section for issue.

(b) Requisitions from depots to come to the chief surgeon's office, A. E. F.. for action; to
be referred to whatever storage warehouse seems suitable. Storage warehouses containing
"controlled stores" to be established at St. Sulpice, Montoir, and Gievres. "Controlled
stores " to be subject only to the orders of the chief surgeon.

By direction of the chief surgeon:

N. L. McDiarmid,
Major, Medical Corps, United Stales Army.

784 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

As indicated in the letter quoted, the situation was about to be materially
changed. The hospital center depots whose establishment had been asked for
in the letter of April 23, 1918, were about ready to function. The construction
projects at the base ports were well under way and warehouses were available ;
finally, supplies were being received in such quantities as to warrant dispersion
of stock in at least many items.

Advance depot No. 1 and the two intermediate depots were fairly well
stocked; at times, they were pressed for storage of material received. The
chief surgeon, therefore, could carry out further his plan of "controlled stores."

This subject is of such importance, and the benefit derived from the opera-
tion of the system in France was so great that quotations in extenso of the
communications concerning it are made.

The policy of "controlled stores" was actually initiated, although not
under that name, late in 1917 when directions were given to all base section
surgeons to ship certain designated items to Gievres, all others going to Cosne.
From time to time these were modified, additions to, or subtractions from,
the list being made in accordance with the stock at Cosne upon the recom-
mendation of the officer in charge of that depot.

It had been continued by the policy of holding the stock at Gievres sub-
ject to the orders of the intermediate depot at Cosne, making the latter the
only issuing depot in the intermediate section.

In the summer of 1918, however, a more comprehensive system could be
initiated, as follows:

Office of the Chief Surgeon,

Headquarters Services of Supply,

France, July 2, 1918.
From: The chief surgeon, A. E. F.
To: The surgeon, base section No. 2, A. P. O. No. 705.
Subject: Operation of base storage stations.

1. Herewith are submitted two copies of instructions governing the operation of base
storage stations, together with the list of the supply items to be carried in stock.

2. The storage station of base section No. 1 should proceed to establish these stock
balances up to the maximum amounts indicated. When the maximum of these items has
been reached at the base storage station the excess should automatically be forwarded to
Gievres or Cosne under existing instructions or instructions to be subsequently issued by
this office. Likewise, supplies not carried in base storage stations will in the first instance
be routed to Cosne or Gievres under instructions of this office.

3. Issues of supplies from the base storage stations to advance medical supply depots or
units other than the medical supply depots at Gievres and Cosne will be made only upon
specific routing or issue instructions from this office as occasion arises. Specific instruc-
tions to ship specified quantities will take precedence over current shipments to Gievres or
Cosne.

4. Until further notice all medicines (except those to be carried in base storage) in mixed
or original packages will be shipped direct to Gievres as promptly as possible.

5. The object sought in the establishment of base storage stations is to facilitate the
shipment direct to advance points of supplies which singly or in combinations of two or
three can be made up in carload lots. The maintenance of adequate stores in the interme-
diate section is of primary importance. The initial list has been selected with these consid-
erations in mind. From time to time items will be added to or substracted from the list and
the maximum amounts increased or decreased as the supply needs dictate.

By direction of the chief surgeon:

N. L. McDiarmid,
Lieutenant Colonel, Medical Corps, National Army.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 785

Office of the Chief Surgeon,
Headquarters Services of Supply,

France, July 3, 1918.
From: The Chief Surgeon, A. E. F.

To: The officer in charge, intermediate medical supply depot No. 3, A. P. O. No. 737.
Subject: Instructions governing the operation of base storage stations.

1. Attached iiereto are two copies of general instructions governing the operation oi
base storage stations, together with the list of items to be stored in the base storage stations.
You are requested to forward one copy to intermediate medical supply depot No. 2, with
such instructions as you deem appropriate.

2. Pending the further development of the sorting work at the base, these items of
supply not carried in base storage stations, and the excess over the maximum of items
carried in base storage stations, will automatically be forwarded to Cosne or Gievres, under
the instructions in effect at that time. In view of this fact, it is of primary importance
that intermediate medical supply depots Nos. 2 and 3 show, on the warehouse receipt slips,
whether the supplies were received direct from the docks, or were issued from controlled
stores.

3. All issues of controlled stores from base storage stations will be recorded on ware-
house issue slips, upon which will be indicated that fact. The warehouse issue slip will also
show the car number or car numbers in which the shipments are made. The identification
of the car thus furnished you, which will, presumably, reach you in advance of the car
itself, will enable you to check out the contents of those cars. The copy of the warehouse
issue slip furnished this office will be retained here in suspended file pending the forwarding
of warehouse receipt slip furnished by the receiving depot.

4. It is recognized that the present list of supplies and the amounts thereof are
only tentative and that in all probability frequent changes therein will be required.
You will be furnished with a copy of all changes made. As stated in paragraph 5
of the letter to the section surgeons, the needs of the depots in the intermediate section
are of primary importance. This in view of the fact that for some time the supply of
depots in the advance section will necessarily be from the intermediate depots.

5. Information concerning such needs can best be supplied by the officer in charge and
it is desired that you make any recommendations concerning the present schedule or the
future modifications thereof or concerning the needs of your depot as you deem pertinent.

By direction of the Chief Surgeon:

N. L. McDiarmid,
Lieutenant Colonel, Medical Corps, National Army.

INSTRUCTIONS COVERING THE OPERATION OF BASE STORAGE STATIONS OF CONTROLLED

STORES "

American Expeditionary Forces,

Office of the Chief Surgeon,

July 3, 1918.

1. The warehouses for the storage of supplies at the several bases are to be operated
independently of the issue medical supply depots of the bases. The former will be called
base storage stations. Until other formal designation is given by the general staff, each
base storage station will be referred to and indicated by the name of the place where
located; for example, "Base storage station, Montoir." This title should appear on all
warehouse receipts and warehouse issue slips.

2. The issuing depots of the bases will be called base medical supply depots, the offi-
cial designation of each being as follows: " Medical supply depot, base section ."

3. The receipt and issues of supplies by the base storage station will be controlled by
the chief surgeon's office, A. E. F. Instructions governing the receipt of stores in and the
issue of stores from the base storage station will be transmitted direct from this office to

30663—28 50

786 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

the officer in charge of the base storage station. The list of items to be received and stored
in each base storage station and the maximum amount of each item to be carried in each
station will be initially prescribed and revised from time to time by this office. Each offi-
cial list will be given a serial number.

4. Pending the development of adequately stocked base medical supply depots, the
officer in charge of base storage station will be given blanket authority to issue to base
medical supply depots designated items of supplies within the maximum limits prescribed
by this office.

5. Requisitions upon base medical supply depots will be transmitted through the office
of the base surgeon for modification and approval,

(i. All stores received into base storage stations will be taken up on warehouse receipt
slips (medical supply depot Form No. 2). One copy of each receipt slip will be forwarded
daily to the chief surgeon's office (property division).

7. All stores issued from base storage stations will be recorded on warehouse issue slips
(medical supply depot Form No. 4). These slips will be prepared in triplicate (printed
pads will be furnished in triplicate; in the meantime a third copy should be improvised).
One copy will be forwarded to the chief surgeon's office (property division), a duplicate
copy will be forwarded to the unit to which shipment is made; the triplicate should be
retained.

8. The issue of controlled stores from base storage stations as explained in paragraph
No. 7 will be indicated on the warehouse issue slip by marking or stamping (stamps will be
provided for this purpose) "Issued from controlled stores." The warehouse issue slip will
also show the number or numbers of the car or cars in which the shipments have been made
and the point of shipping destination if the latter differs from the place where the receiving
unit is located.

9. The shipments of supplies direct from the docks to advance supply depots, or to units
other than intermediate supply depots Nos. 2 and 3, must be handled as issue of supplies
from controlled stores. Such shipments will generally be made from the storage stations,
but these shipments, whether actually taken into the storage stations and there assorted
and reloaded, or issued direct from the docks, must be taken up on warehouse receipt and
issue slips. One copy of eacli warehouse receipt slip and one copy of each warehouse issue
slip also must be forwarded to the chief surgeon's office as prescribed in paragraphs 6 and 7;
also one copy of each warehouse issue slip must be forwarded to the unit to which shipment
is made as prescribed in paragraph 7.

10. The slip pasted on each car of supplies issued from base storage station will contain
the notation in bold type "Control stores."

1 1 . (Jar shortage at the base may occasionally require that supplies be temporarily taken
into the base storage station that should be forwarded direct to intermediate supply depots-
Tins may represent items of supplies not regularly carried in the base storage station or
quantities, for items regularly there carried, in excess of the maximum amounts designated
for such items. Such supplies will, when cars become available, be shipped without further
instructions in appropriate amounts to the intermediate supply depots.

12. Until further notice, supplies which are loaded at the docks and shipped direct to
intermediate supply depots Nos. 2 and 3 will not be taken up at the base on warehouse
receipt and issue slips. Initial warehouse receipt slips (representing the receipt of these
supplies direct from the United States) will be prepared at the particular depot where the
supplies are received.

13. All supplies received at the docks will be considered as " controlled stores," subject
only to routing instructions published from time to time by this office. Any diversions of
supplies, other than as mentioned in paragraph 9, will be made only upon specific author-
ity from this office.

14. Beginning July 1, the chief surgeon's office (property division) will maintain sepa-
rate records of and account for the " controlled stores " of the base storage stations. These
will be posted from the warehouse receipt and issue slips forwarded daily. Each storage
station will, however, maintain such current stock records as are necessary for informational
purposes. The use of medical supply depot Form No. 5 (revised) is suggested. The storage

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

787

station, however, will not prepare or forward quarterly property returns; accountability in
this sense reposes in the chief surgeon's office. Returns of medical property received and
issued by the base issue depot will be made by the officer in charge.
By direction of the Chief Surgeon:

N. L. McDiabmid,
Lieutenant Colonel, Medical Corps, National Arm//.

No. 1.

Official list of items to be carried at base storage station
[Period effective until farther notice]

July 1, 1918.

Supply item

MEDICINES. ANTISEPTICS, AN11
DISINFECTANTS

Acidum borieum. '2 pound

M* her, \i pound

Alcohol .

Chloroform, pound _.

Foot powder, % pound

Iodine swabs, fi in box

Liquor cresolis eompositus, 1

quart

Magnesii sulphas, 4 pounds.

Protargol or equivalent, 1 ounce.
Spiritus ammonia? aromatieus,

l A pound.

Sugar, white:

4 pounds

12 pounds

Sulphur:

In rolls...

In flowers ....

Unguentum hydragyri, i. 2 pound.

( ' lass

MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES

Bandages:

Plaster of Paris. .3 in indivi-
dual packets.
Roller, assoried, 6 dozen in

box.
Gauze, compressed, 1 gross
in box.

Bedsteads, white enamel

Blankets, gray. .J

Boilers, tin, copper bottom -.

Chairs, field, folding

Chests, medical and surgical,
(par. 932).

Supplementary (par. 933)

Cocoa, 8 ounces

Cots:

Field, folding, "Uold
Medal".

Steel

Cotton, absorbent, in rolls

Cotton bats.

Desks, field No. 1-

First-aid packets (par. 944)

For shell wound (par. 94(i)...

Unit

Maxi-
mum

Bottles..

Tins

Gallons.

Tins

..do

Boxes.. .

P Bottles..

P Tins

P Bottles..

10, MX)
40, 000
8, 000
20.000
IS, 000
25, 000

2, 500
0, 000
2, SOO

.do..

Tins

...do

P Pounds..

P ■ ..do

P Bottles..

F ] Dozen .
P Boxes...
F ; Gross

Number

...do

...do

...do

...do

..do.....:

Tins

N timber.

...do

Pounds

...do

Number.

...do

..do

1.000
5,000

7,000
7.000
1.250

1,500

4,000

20,000

5,000
7, 500

500
4.000

200

ISO
10,000

10.000

10.000

10. 000

10.000

50

50. 000

50, 000

Supply item

MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES — COIltd

Food:

Boxes of

Ambulances, boxes of...
Gauze:

Plain, 5 yards, in roll

Sublimated, 2H pieces in

Individual dressing packets

Gauze, plain sterilized, 2H-yards

lengths.
Lanterns, extra globes for, white. .

Mattresses

Pails, commode (close stools)

Pajamas, suits

Paper, toilet, 2,000 sheets in roll.

Pillows

Pillow cases, cotton

Plaster, adhesive:

5 yards by 1 inch

5 yards by 2f- 2 inches

Plaster of Paris, 4 pounds..

Sheets, cotton

Slippers-

Soap, common

Soup, 1 pound.

Splints, wire gauze, 1 yard..

Sterilizers, autoclave, large size..
Surgical dressings, ambulance

(par. 954).
Tables:

Bedside, folding

Mess, folding...

Towels:

Bath

Hani

Vials, 3 ounce.

VETERINARIAN SCI'l'I.lKS

Petrolatum

Oakum, surgical

Covers, mule, blanket lined .

QUARTERMASTER SUPPLIES

Army ranees

Warming ovens

Gauze, plain, yards.

Class

F
F

F
F
F
F

P

I'
P
F

P
P
P

F
P
P
P
P
P
F
F

PA
F

1'
P
PA

Boxes.

.do...

Maxi-
mum

200
250

Holls.... 5,000

Packages 40, 000

.-do 100,000

..do 50.000

Number

..do

..do

..do

Rolls ....
Numher
-do

Spools. .
L.-do

Tins

Number.
Pairs ...
Pounds .

Tins

Spools ..
Number
Boxes. ..

Numl.er.
;...do

Dozen...

__.do

__.do I

Pounds
...do-
Number

Number
...do-
Yards .

2,000
15.000
2.000
(1,000

20.000
15.000
30.000

75.000
35,000

2.500
10.000

5,000
25, 000

2.500

2,500
75

3,000

10. 000
500

4,000
10,000
2,500

4.000
20,000
4,000

100
100

(SOO, 000

P means post: F means field; PA m.-ans post additional: FA means field additional.

memorandum

Office of the Chief Surgeon,
American Expeditionary Forces,

Headquarters Service of Supply,

France, July 10, 191S.
To: The surgeon, base section No. 1, A. P.O. No. 701; the surgeon, base section No. 2,
A. P.O. No. 705.

1. In connection with recent correspondence on " controlled stores " and issue depot
at your port, it is desired that there be no uncertainty as to the chief surgeon's desires that
the section surgeons maintain supervision over the activities of the base storage stations.

788 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

2. The instructions stated that issues from the base storage stations would be only
upon order, general or specific, of this office and that issues from the local issuing depots
would be made only upon the authority of the section surgeons. The reasons for this
central control of the storage stations are known to you and received your indorsement in a
recent conference.

3. It is believed that your familiarity with and understanding of the reasons for the
centralized control of issues from the base storage stations will make it highly desirable
that, particularly during the formative period, you maintain close touch with the operation
of the base storage station; and I request that you frequently make such recommedations
concerning the effectiveness of the instructions issued and changes therein as you deem
desirable. It is recognized that the successful operation of these base storage stations will
depend largely upon the supervision exercised by you.

By direction of the chief surgeon:

N. L. McDiarmid,
Lieutenant Colonel, Medical Corps, National Army

IThird Indorsement]

Office of the Chief Surgeon, A. E. F.,

August 10, 1918.
To the chief surgeon, base section No. G.

1. It is desired that you take steps to establish a base storage station at an early date.
For the present, it is not desired to use the storage spaces at Miramis for the purpose of
storing a large reserve. It is the intention to have stored there such articles as are avail-
able for base storage (that is, such as are at present in France in sufficient amounts to more
than meet the needs of the advance and intermediate sections) in such amounts as would
be required for the depots on the main line north or in the vicinity thereof. This would
include Is-sur-Tille, and the depots at the hospital centers of Beaune, Allerey, Bazoilles, and
Rimaucourt. In addition thereto, such a depot would be the logical point from which the
American troops in Italy would lie supplied from the American Expeditionary Forces.

2. I am of the opinion that the importance of Marseille will increase materially, even
though the Italian situation does not in itself demand such an increase; and I suggest that
you ask for 30,000 square feet, with a prospective increase to 60,000. Additional copies of
the letter of July 11 on the base storage station and of the authorized list of articles to be
stored are inclosed.

3. When your report shows an accumulation approaching this amount, shipping direc-
tions will be given you from this office for a portion thereof; and as far as possible these
articles will be sent to the depots mentioned above. Until further instructed, all other
articles should be shipped as heretofore, to intermediate medical supply depot No. 2. at
Gievres, or medical supply depot No. 3, at Cosne, according to general instructions, a copy
of which has been furnished you.

4. Special supplies, such as disinfectors, should be reported to this office. It has been
found advisable to have the base storage and the distribution on the docks under the same
control.

5. It is assumed that your present personnel is sufficient to take care of the station.
An effort will be made to provide additional personnel upon your request therefor. I
request that you make such recommendations and suggestions from time to time as the
local situation may render desirable.

By direction of the chief surgeon:

N. L. McDiarmid,
Lieutenant Colonel, Medical Corps, National Army

Facsimiles of warehouse receipt slip and warehouse issue and transfer slip
follow:

MEDICAL. SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 789

Medical Supply Depot Form No. 2. $11447 No. 12746

Warehouse Receipt Slip

November 27th, 19 IS

Where received: Whse A 108

Deliver to—

Supply Item (including package contents)

Number of ,.,, ...

packages «•'»""<>■

U. S. A. 6011$— from St. S id pice.

Beds, H*. enamel

Nh Nil IHJ Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil

50 BO

■"Hi Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil IHJ It LI Nil Nil-

50 50

Nil fH 1 Nil Nil Nil 'H ' Nil Nil Nil Nil

90 50

150

Received by Sgt. ./. //. Weaver.

Medical Supply Depot Form No. 3.
Duplicate to be retained.

Warehouse Issue and Transfer Slip
__., 191 Issue from.

14121

Req. No(s). Station.

Pkg. No(s). Supply items (description of)

Number of 0llnnti ,..
packages « uantlt >

Assembled at—

■

Issued (or checked) by.

Those were serially numbered so that missing numbers could be traced
Based upon the copies furnished the chief surgeon's office daily, there was
established in that office a consolidated stock record. There was a card for
every item on the supply table or existing in any depot. A sample follows:

790

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Item Acacia powder.

Consolidated Stock Card
Unit / lb. hot.

Auto. Per. Div

< >iig. package
No. units: 25
Weight: SO
Cubic feet 2.57

Rep. period

Advance

Intermediate Base

Receipts

1 7,000

Mo

Date

No. 1
.',(15

Other

No. 2

2,500

No. 3
8,S18

Other 1 B. S.

■2 11. s. Depots

255 522

Oct.

15

I

580

7,540

9,460

1

\

A record was maintained also in the central office of the available stock
in the several hospital center depots. This was based upon periodical stock
reports.

Consolidated Stock Card

Unit / lb. bat.

Item Acacia powder.

Orig. package...
No. units: 25
Weight: SO
Cubic feet: 2. 57

Rep period

Hospital centers

Mo.

Date

15

Xo. 1

No. 2
92

No. 3 No. i : No. 5

No. 6

No. 7
156

No. S No. 9 No. 10 No. 11

44 tOO 92 50

No. 12

4S

Total

Oct.

31

90 100

87

63

953

1

1

In addition thereto, two stock cards were maintained for each item,
showing a comparison of the expected receipts with the actual receipts. One
was for purchases in Europe; the other was for receipts from the United States.
Receipts expected in the latter case were based at first upon invoices received:
later upon the automatic. A sample follows:

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMEBICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
Consolidated Stock Card

791

Item A

cacia powder
es or packer's list

till

t I lb. bot.

Invoic

Receipts from V. S.

Req.No.

Date Quantity
6/16 18,400

Date

7/12

B.S. No.

1

1 __ .

Quantity

17,000

Dale

B. S. No. Quantity

Date

B.S

No. Quantity

15S2

'

It is to be noted that in connection with the establishment of base storage
stations, there were also established medical supply depots for each of the base
sections concerned. At some ports the two were in the same building; at
others, they were widely separated.

There was, however, in all cases, a clear distinction between base storage
stations and base section depots, even though they were operated by the same
personnel.

All receipts at the port came immediately under the jurisdiction of the
medical supply officer in charge of the base storage sections. The medical
supply depot was authorized to stock in limited amounts certain designated
items' These were transferred to the medical supply depot upon requisitions
approved by the section surgeon and were designed to supply the troops in
a given section. The limitations imposed upon the items listed and upon the
quantities carried were made necessary by the limited amounts in France and
the primary necessity of keeping the depots in the intermediate and advance
sections supplied.

The number of items so stocked was gradually increased and in October,

1918, the condition was such as to warrant the following circular:

Circular No. 52: ,,

American Expeditionary Forces,

October 22, IMS.
* ******

X. Requisitions for medical supplies: All organizations in base section No. I, other
than base hospitals and hospital center depots, will submit their requisitions for medical
supplies to the surgeon, base section No. 1, A. P. O. No. 701, and will hereafter submit none
direct to intermediate medical supply depot No. 3, Cosiie.

Upon approval of the section surgeon, the requisitions will be sent to the medical
supply depot, base section No. 1, for issue.

\\ ALTER D. Met AW,

Colonel, Medical Corps, Chief Surgeon.

The number of items and the amounts of those items to be retained in base
storage stations were increased gradually until practically the entire list, with
the exception of "mixed boxes" and surgical instruments, was so retained.

In addition to the base storage stations, it was possible to begin the stocking
of the hospital center depots. Necessarily here, too, there was a limitation on

792 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

the number of articles available for stock, but the shortage was in technical
equipment rather than in expendable articles used in large quantities, so that
much of the advantage anticipated from the operation of these depots was gained.
The following instructions from the chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., to the
commanding officer, hospital center at Mesves, explains not only the reasons
for the establishment of medical supply depots at hospital centers but also the
methods by which they could obtain articles on the " controlled stores " list as
well as articles not thereon:"

1. The underlying purposes in the establishment of supply depots at hospital centers
were as follows:

(a) To have available in the center necessary supplies to meet the immediate requisi-
tions of the individual hospitals.

(6) To enable shipments to be made direct from the ports in bulk of the larger and more
extensively used articles, thus avoiding the useless transportation and handling.

(c) Lessened fire risk — in that distribution will be made in a number of depots.

(d) To make unnecessary shipments to hospital centers during a period of activity at
the front and consequent car shortage.

2. It is therefore contemplated that eventually a very considerable stock will be main-
tained at each hospital center. Lists are now being prepared at this office of the material
to be carried. These lists necessarily will include in the beginning a comparatively small
number of items because of the shortage of stock in France, but they will be increased from
time to time as the stock increases. It is probable that there will be always many items,
requisition for which will have to be made to the central supply depot. Until the full estab-
lishment of these depots it will be necessary for the individual hospitals to make direct
requisition upon larger central supply depots such as Cosne.

3. You will be furnished with a list of what is known as " controlled stores "; that is,
stock that is contained in the base storage stations. It is desired that your supply depot
submit its requisitions to this office, making separate requisitions so far as possible for those
items contained on the " controlled stores " list and those articles not thereon in order that
shipment may be ordered direct from the ports in the first case and from the intermediate
medical supply depots in the second. With the hospitals fully stocked, each hospital
having probably a two months' supply, it is probable that the amount of property in the
supply depot need not be very large, that the movement in and out will be sufficient to
warrant shipment in carload lots only to that depot.

Obviously the car shortage in France was chronic; therefore, railroads were
taxed to their capacity and beyond; embargoes were frequent. Obviously also
it was desirable for the Medical Department, so far as possible, to avoid the
shipment of its supplies during periods of stress. The establishment of hospital
center depots and the establishment of several reservoirs at the base ports
permitted this. Much of the benefit expected from their establishment was
accomplished. In addition, there was given to the individual hospitals such a
sense of security that overstocking was avoided, with a resultant conservation.

Requisitions from hospital centers and from depots came to the chief
surgeon's office, and orders were sent to one or more controlled stores stations
to ship in carload lots. Consideration was given not only to accessibility and
available stock, but to the operating conditions of the railroads.

Distribution of initial equipment to incoming units on the lines of commu-
nications was made upon the recommendation of the hospitalization section, in
advance, at such time as would result in its arrival at about the same time as
the personnel. In the event that the unit was to be assigned to a hospital
center, or where other Medical Department units were stationed, the initial

MEDICAL SUPPLIES;, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 793

equipment was sent well in advance in the care of the unit already established
and made ready for immediate utilization by the new unit. This was particu-
larly true during the period of rapid expansion in August, September, and
October, 1918, when available, hospital beds were just keeping ahead of the cas-
ualties and much needed medical personnel was beginning to arrive after a long
suspension. 1 Equipment tables for 1,000-bed, 500-bed, 300-bed, and 100-bcd
hospitals had been prepared and were available at all depots. Shipment of the
assemblage was to be made upon telegraphic instructions. An example of such

instructions follows:

American Expeditionary Forces,
Headquarters Services of Supply,

March S, 1918.
Memorandum to the officer in charge, intermediate medical supply depot No. 3.

1. Prepare for shipment and ship the equipment for a 300-bed cam]) hospital to Meucon,
Department of Morbihan; to include approximately post allowance of expendable articles
for one thousand men for one year.

By direction of the chief surgeon:

N. L. McDiarmid,

Major, Medical Corps.

These equipments, while by no means complete, enabled the unit to function,
particularly in respect of new units in hospital centers, which thus were provided
beds and equipment for the nursing of the wounded for whom the strictly
surgical procedures could be done at one of the well-established units.

The system of central accountability established under this policy remained
in effect until January 1, 1919, when accountability was transferred to the
officers in charge of each base storage station. 53

On November 12, 1918, the chief surgeon, A. E. F., promulgated the
following instructions, concerning the distribution of medical supplies in the
American Expeditionary Forces. This circular is a compilation of the orders
and practices of the Medical Department, A. E. F., up to that time, and
represents the chief surgeon's final plan, based upon the 17 months of experience
in operating the medical supply system overseas, under the existing orders.
Circular No. 55:
Distribution of Medical Supplies in the American Expeditionary Forces, Outlining

Lines of Supply - and Decentralization of Both Requisitions and Supplies

American Expeditionary Forces,

November 12, 1918.
I. The following outline of medical supply department activities from front to rear
will obtain in the future operations of this department.

(a) divisional medical supply dumps

On a basis of one to each division.

Activities. — To supply divisional troops and to stock only such items as are needed by
combat divisions. Items of stock carried to be identical in all divisional supply dumps, the
amount of each item to be carried and controlled by a maximum stock list.

(6) army park medical supply dumps

On a basis of one to each army corps.

Activities. — To supply divisional medical supply dumps and in emergency to surround-
ing medical units. Stock items to be the same as those carried by divisional medical supply
dumps. The amount of stock to be be carried on items to be based on the number of
combat divisions concerned in the sector supplied.

794 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(c) ARMY MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS

On a basis of one to each army.

Activities. — To supply army park medical supply dumps, evacuation hospital, field
hospitals, ambulance companies, mobile hospitals, mobile surgical units, veterinary field
units, and such other units as specially designated. Stock items to be carried should meet
all the requirements of the units concerned and should also be based on a maximum stock
list.

(d) SERVICES OF SUPPLY MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS

Number prescribed by the chief surgeon, A. E. F.

Activities. — To supply army medical supply depots and designated Services of Supply
medical units. The stock in these Services of Supply depots in advance positions to fully
cover all the items carried at army medical supply depots, as well as the surrounding
Services of Supply medical units.

(e) CONTROLLED STORES

Includes all medical supplies in storage at base ports or other designated Services of
Supply depots, the issues from which are under the direct control of the chief surgeon,
A. E. F.

Activities. — To furnish supplies to the hospitals of the group concerned and to any
other units specially designated by the chief surgeon, A. E. F. Hospital centers not having
depots should consolidate requisitions and forward same direct to the chief surgeon
A. E. F., A. P. O. 717.

DEPOT CONTROL

While the chief surgeon, A. E. F., controls all activities of the Medical Department, the
immediate control of the army dumps and army medical supply depots is vested in the
chief surgeon of the army concerned. The immediate control of all other medical supply
depots being under the chief surgeon, A. E. F.

II. Decentralization of requisitions: Hereafter all requisitions, except those specially
exempted below originating in the Services of Supply will be acted upon by the chief surgeon
of the section concerned, who will modify the requisitions and forward same to designated
dei)ot for issue.

This modification will be final and any question thereto should be taken up by the
depot concerned with the surgeon of the section approving the requisition.

Exceptions. — Requisitions from medical supply depots and medical supply depots at
hospital centers and for initial equipment of medical units, will be sent direct to the office
of the chief surgeon, A. E. F., A. P. O. 717, for his action.

Requisitions for laboratory supplies, except from medical supply depots, will be sent
direct to the director, central laboratory, A. P. O. 721, Dijon, for his action, same will then
be forwarded to the designated depot.

Requisitions for X-ray supplies covering initial equipment; i. e., base hospital X-ray
outfits, portable X-ray outfits and bedside units, will be forwarded to technical consultant,
Rontgenology, A. P. O. 702.

Requisitions for veterinary supplies follow the course of medical requisitions except for
initial equipment of units, which will be forwarded to the chief surgeon, A. E. F., direct.

Requisitions for dental supplies follow the course of medical requisitions except for
initial equipment of base hospitals; i. e., base dental outfits, which will be sent direct to
chief surgeon, A. E. F.

III. Pending the installation of additional depots, the following sections will be supplied
by medical supply depots as follows:

Base sections 1, 4, 5, by base medical supply depot No. 1, St. Nazaire.

Base sections 2, (i, 7, by base medical supply depot No. 2, Bordeaux.

Intermediate section and Paris district by intermediate medical supply depot N'o. 3,
I 'osne.

Advance section, Services of Supply, by advance medical Supply depot No.l, Is-sur-Tille.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

795

Surgeons of sections will take the necessary steps to notify the units now in their sections
and new units arriving as to the proper channels for medical supply requisitions as above
outlined.

IV. This circular does not modify the method of handling requisitions in combat sectors.

Walter D. McCaw,
Colonel, Medical Corps, Chief Surgeon.

At the time of the signing of the armistice, with nearly 2,000,000 men in
France, the Medical Department had the following storage space allotted:

Location

Cosne-sur-Loire - ~ -
Gievres

Is-sur-Tille ...

Liverpool, England.

Cristo, Italy

Montierchaume

Treves, Germany.

Designation

Montoir... . Base storage station

Intermediate medical supply depot No. 3.
Intermediate medical supply depot No. 2.

Advance medical supply depot No. I

Medical supply depot

do — ... -

Field medical supply salvage depot .

Advance medical supply depot No. 2 —

Nantes .
St. Nazaire
SI. Sulpice
Bordeaux . .

Brest

Marseilles _.
Le Mans...

_do.

Maximum
Dale estab- storage
lislied space (sq.

ft.)

Medical supply depot .
Base storage station ._.
Medical supply depot

do .-

Base storage station —
Medical supply depot-

July
Oct.

Nov.
Aug.
July
Dec.
Dec.
May
Oct.
J lily
July
May-
Dec.
July
July

15, 1917

in. luir

IK, P.I17

7, nils
29, nils
13, nils
27, 191K

1,1918
I. I!MS

1,1918
6, 1918
(>. 191S
21, 1918

8, 1918
20, 1918

100,000
391,438

95, 802
24, AM)

2,700

102, 500

100. (KKI

180, 000

32.000

10,000

275, 000

2. r i, (XX)

2. 71X1

70, 000

10,000

In addition, there was available and in use storage space of over 110,000
square feet at hospital center depots, in the following centers:

Maximum
storage space
(square feet)

Maximum
storage space
(square feet)

Mesves ... 10,000

Paris 8,250

Rimaueourt - 10,000

Savenay 10,000

Toul - - 10,000

Allerey 10,000

Bazoilles 10, 000

Beau Desert 10, 000

Beaune 10, 000

Clermont-Ferrand . .... 13, 000

Mars 10, 000

FORECASTS

From time to time, the supply division of the chief surgeon's office was
called upon to furnish estimates of future requirements. These estimates
involved the total amount of storage space, covered and uncovered, needed in
France for varying numbers of men; the areas in which such space would be
needed and of the proportion in each area. They involved the value, the weight,
and the cubic contents of the supplies whose delivery from England, from
France, from Spain, and from other European countries was expected. These
were to be given, by months, for each country and were to be estimated
through to six months in advance. 54

Forecasts were asked for from all departments on forms or tables appli-
cable to one department only. Usually the requirements and records of the
Engineer Department were used as a basis for these demands and it was diffi-
cult, frequently impossible, to make a Medical Department report of any
value correspond to the forms proposed. As a matter of fact, many of the
early reports were so roughly estimated as to be without value, and this
statement was frankly made at the time. The supply division of the chief

796 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

surveyor's office made a sustained effort to furnish the data required, but it
was not until the establishment of the statistical section, discussed in greater
detail below, that the data furnished were satisfactory or of any value to the
Medical Department itself, although the department had previously satisfied
the demands made upon it. 8

Accurate presentation of data of the nature called for presupposed the
availability of the results of much prior detailed study. There were required
not only accurate and complete mobilization and equipment tables, but also
the weight and cubic contents of every item thereon and of every item on
the supply table, accurate expenditure tables, intimate knowledge of the
European markets, and detailed computation of the raw material requirements.
Much of this information was available in France. 8

Gradually, these requests for forecasts were concentrated upon prospective
orders from British and French sources, and upon the tonnage requirements,
particularly for overseas shipment from the United States.

The American Expeditionary Forces requirements as to medical supplies
had been presented for a considerable period as emergency requirements to meet
a specific need. This was particularly true in respect of the French orders.
In addition to the requests made upon the French by the Medical Department
purchasing agent, many regional Service de Sante organizations were receiving
requests from individual American Expeditionary Forces hospitals for emer-
gency supplies. It was obvious that such piecemeal requisitioning disturbed
the even tenor of their programs and interfered materially with their own pro-
duction program. Under the general purchasing agent, A. E. F., efforts were
made to improve this situation. (See "Purchases" above.)

On April 29, 1918, the chief surgeon received directions from the com-
manding general, Services of Supply, requiring a quarterly forecast in detail of
the materials which might be obtainable in England, France, Spain, etc, and
a separate forecast of the material that must be obtained in the United States
with the tonnage required therefor. 55 These were to be submitted through the
general purchasing agent to the Allied Governments with a view to a determi-
nation by them of the material that might be supplied in France, with a con-
sequent reduction of the tonnage required from the United States.

Prior to this time there had been some confusion in that these forecasts
furnished to the Allies in connection with the search for information as to what
could be furnished, had by them been considered emergency requests. At
times, supplies had been furnished from their stock, the only source of which
was in the United States. It was obvious that this was no saving in tonnage.
The forecasts required eventually were concentrated upon questions of
tonnage, particularly in connection with overseas shipments from the United
States. In connection therewith, the supply division was better prepared.
Some experience in rate of usage had been obtained and a certain amount of
statistical data developed and more had been received from the United States.
On April 6, 1918, the first call was made and the Medical Department
given the following tentative allotment: 56 Short tons, 7,500; ship tons, 32,000.
The estimate was to be in the following form:

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

797

Item No.

Automatic or exceptional
supply articles

.Short tons

Ship tons

Req.

notes to help
shipper

Requirements as to

why needed

One of the great difficulties experienced by the Medical Department in
connection with these allotments was due to the fact that its requirements in
ship tons were greater in proportion to weight tons than those of any other
service except the Air Service. This was due to the fact that a large proportion
of the Medical Department shipments was taken up by initial equipment,
much of it bulky, but yet essential. Attempts to secure this equipment in
Europe had been made and had failed. Beds and mattresses are examples.
Mattresses had a ratio of 1 to 12 in weight to space occupied. Certain
technical apparatus, such as X ray, essential to modern treatment, bore a
somewhat similar ratio. Other apparatus essential to definitive treatment
were also bulky.

Because the proportions that existed in the Allies' shipments of medical
supplies had been determined as something less than 1 to 3, in attempting to
secure adequate tonnage from headquarters, Services of Supply, it was necessary
for the chief surgeon to point out that, whereas with the British most of the
patients were promptly transported to England and that there was with them
necessity for only a comparatively few completely equipped hospitals in France,
there was for the American Expeditionary Forces no such possibility in pros-
pect; therefore the supplies, including the highly technical apparatus needed
for definitive treatment, had to be transported to France in large quantity. 57

In connection, with the semimonthly cables giving the supply prospects of
the Medical Department, A. E. F., it would appear that they were of little
value to the Surgeon General. In their preparation, the attempt to secure
conformity with the form prescribed precluded the information that the supply
division needed to send. Divisions of the medical supply table can not be
compared to "projects." Sufficiency or inadequacy of the supply of any one
item of a class is not a criterion by which the status of the stock of other items
in the class may be judged. The Medical Department had attempted to solve
this problem by its unit assemblages, and in the later cables, information
concerning the status of such units was furnished. Either each item on the
supply table, or specific information as to the items in which an increased
stock is desired, must be given.

STATISTICAL SECTION

It became increasingly evident that the supply division of the chief
surgeon's office must develop an organization to compile the vast amount of
statistical data from which deductions as to future needs could be drawn.
It was evident that not only must a comparison of the actual rate of issue
with the receipts on the automatic shipments be made, but those issues must
be so correlated with the sick and wounded rates that deductions as to future
issues under other morbidity rates could be drawn.

The automatic shipments then being made by the Surgeon General were
based upon the best information at that time. They were the result of long
experience. The rate of usage of many of the items would not be materially

798

FIXAXCE AXD SUPPLY

changed by conditions in France. The primary purpose of the statistical
section was to determine what items would be demanded in greater or less
amounts and to what extent, so that notification of the changes desired could
be transmitted to the United States.

In May of 1918 an officer was assigned to this work and sent at first to
the medical supply depot at Cosne to gather some data on tonnage. In June,
1918, he came to the chief surgeon's office and thereafter the section grew
rapidly. After the establishment of the section its work formed the basis for
all estimates of tonnage required, of ears required, and provided the data upon
which revisions of the automatic supply table were made, shipments suspended,
decreased or increased. 8

In this section were kept the consolidated stock records to which reference
has been made under "Controlled stores," and it maintained throughout the
period of intense hospitalization expansion a record of all movements of initial
equipment from depots to centers.

In connection with its primary function, records were established and
maintainted as shown below.

During the period shown on the first form, a few battle casualties were in
hospital, and the sick rate was approximately 4 per cent, so that the influence
of the increased hospitalization due to such cause is not reflected in the issues
recorded.

Comparison of this record with later charts covering a period with battle
casualties would, however, have reflected the increased issues due to such

casualties.

American Expeditionary Forces,
Chief Surgeon's Office (Supply Division),

August 1, 1918.
Statistics of supplies consumed {issued from depots) in relation to automatic supply
(Period July, 1917, to June, 1918 (inclusive))

Medicines, antiseptics, and disinfectants

Acacia, powder, 1 pound, in bottle hot ties.

Aeidum aceticum, '^ pound, in bottle .. do

Acidum boricum, powder, '■, pound, in bottle do

Aeidum hydrorhloricum, H pound, in bottle . do

Acidum mtricum, H pound, in bottle do

Aeidum salicylic-urn, 3 ounces, in bottle do

Acidum sulphuricum, *■> pound, in bottle do

Acidum tannicum, 3 ounces, in bottle do

Acidum tartaricum, la pound, in bottle do

Adrenalin chlorid, 1-mgm. tablets, 20 in tube tubes .

/Ether, '., pound, in tin . tins..

/Kthylis ohloridum, 3 ounces, in tube ... tubes _

Alcohol:

3 pints, in tin ... ... - tins..

5 gallons, in tin do

Alumen, powder, ^ pound, in bottle _.: bottles .

Ammonii ohloridum, l i pound, in bottle.. ...do

Apomorphinae hydroehloridum, 6-mgm. tablets, 20 in tube

tubes.

Aqua ammonii, lo per cent, pound, in bottle bottles. .

Mont

iiy

consump-

tion

according to

Monthly

eonsump-

actual issue. Period

tion per 2

5.000 men

July

1. 1917,toMar.

Receipts

in France, based on

31. 1918

per auto-

actual is

matic
25.000

Per 25

000

men in

men in

Per 1,000

France

Period

Period

France

(ba-

patients

Julv 1 to

Apr.

1 to

sis percent-

in

Mar. 31

Jlllll

30

age sick

and

hospital

12

wounded)

18

7

12

12

8

7

7

7

300

105

81

1U5

110

3.1

11

«

14

14

24

13

9

13

14

25

18

18

IS

19

23

11

8

11

. 11

18

14

12

14

15

10

It)

9

10

10

400

49

71

49

52

5, 100

654

079

054

691

250

32

'

25

32

34

1,000

38

12

38

40

200

20

8

20

21

15

19

7

IS

20

10

38

30

38

11

254)

45

26

45

47

10

42

40

42

45

MEDICAL, SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

799

The following sheet converts the automatic supply list into terms of one
day; supply for 1,000,000 men gives the stock on hand, its weight, and the
period in days for which it is sufficient on the basis of the automatic supply.

[July H

Medicines, antiseptics, and disinfectants

Acacia, powder, 1 pound, in bottle

Acidum aceticum, J 2 pound, in bottle

Acidufn borieum, powder, J 2 pound, in bottle ...

Acidum hydrochloricum, ' 2 "pound, in bottle

Acidum nitrieum, ] 2 pound, in bottle

Acidum silieylieum, 3 ounces, in bottle _.

Acidum sulpburicum, ' 2 pound, in glass-stopper bottle .

Acidum tannieum, 3 ounces, in bottle

Acidum tartaricum, ' 2 p. Hind, in bottle

Adrenalin chlorid, 1-mgm. tablets, 20 in tube

-Ether, ' 4 pound, in tin _.

vElhylis chloridum, 3 ounces, in metal tube

Alcohol:

3 pints, in tin _ _ __

a gallons, in tin . ...

Alumen, powder, }.\ pound, in bottle

Ammonii chloridum, \i pound, in bottle

Aipia ammonii, 10 per cent, 1 pound, in bottle

I'nit of
quantity

Bottles,
do-
do ...
do...
do...
do...
do...
do...
do...

Tubes .

Tins...

Tubes .

Tins...

do ...
Mottles

do...

do ...

one day hand

24

10? 3

400
46? s
32
23H

mi

24 I
13. 333

-;':,

li. HIM)

:«3'i
1.3331,3

1, 373H
20
53. 333
13H|

2, 11,',
1,160

20. 126
2,288

2. 585
3,031

3,176
1,187

2,446

57. 1136

351,325

8,748

10.02S

31,790

1,4116

2,931

4, 092

Number

of days

88.2

108. 75
50. 31
4K. 62
89.3
'.HI. (13

103. 56
49. 45

183.7

108
51.6
26. 24

23. 1
74.8
54.9
307

Weight

Pounds

6, 771
1,856

30. 591
3,629
1.573
2, 273
5,081
772
3, 669

18, 829

228,36!

8,311

40,112

2, 225.31X1

2.394

1,475

12, 276

The next form gives a comparison of the available stock at succeeding
periods; also a comparison of the period for which it is sufficient, based upon
the automatic supply list and upon actual issue.

Medicines, antiseptics, and

disinfectants

Acacia, powder, 1 pound, in bolt le

bottles..

Acidum aceticum, ' 2 pound, in

bottle bottles.

Acidum borieum, powder. ] .>

pound, in bottle hollies"

Acidum hydro, hloricum, '■> pound,

in bottle ....bottles..

Acidum nitrieum, !, pound, in

bottle.. hollies

Acidum salicvlicum, 3 ounces, in

bottle bottles..

Acidum sulpburicum. ' 2 pound, in

glass-stopper bottle ~. .bottles.
Acidum tannieum, 3 ounces, in

bottle ..bottles..

Acidum tartaricum, '. pound, in

bottle bottles..

Adrenalin chlorid, 1-mgm. tablets,

20 in lube tubes..

.Ether, j 4 pound, in tins tins..

ASthylis chloridum, 3 ounces, in

metal tube tubes

Alcohol;

3 pints, in tin. tins..

5 gallons, in tin do

Alumen powder, ' 2 pound, in bottle

hollies

Ammonii chloridum, Vt pound, in

bottle bottles..

Apomorphine hydrochloridum, 6-

mgm. tablets, hypodermic, 20 in

tubes tubes..

Aqua ammonii, 10 per cent, I

pound, in bottle bottles..

Stock on hand

July 15 , Aug. 1 Aug. 15

2, 225

1.311

19,662

3,014 I

3,307

3,674

2.413

5. 991

2,401

76. Ms.
391. 950

9,103

13, 122
3,204

1,289

3.644

8,967
6,434

2, 624

1,235

25.316

3.077

3,2f.0

4. 117

1,749

5,796

2, 795

19,703
474,003

8,730 I

12,847
1, 195 I

2,207

4,231

2,368

1,063
18, 103

2.849
12, 329

3, 605

2, 119

5, 344

3,823

61.034
417.114

7, 677

10, 151
712

1,707

3, 365

8,812 1,106
7,761 I 7,905

Sept. I

1,422

947

13, 815

1.913

3, 349

4, 554

1,843

7,858

5,858

59. 994
386, 026

7,225

19, 876
402

1,026

2,713

8,484
8,135

Number of days reserve. Numl>er of days
Basis: Automatic re- reserve. Basis:
quirements Actual issues

July 15,

1,100.000

men

42
112

45
59
94
100

227
164

131
53

9

11

58
62

24
438

Aug. 15,

1,300,000

men

35

47

296

83

53

171

220

88
47

18

6
2

66

48

3
456

Sept. 1, Aug. 15, Sept. 1,

1,400,0001,300,000 1,400,00(1

men men men

43

233

314

80
40 I

16

10
1

37

37

18
436

111

88

99

117

547

115

111

220

220

496
357

154
21

14

109

64

73

70
73
138
135

S9

.:,»,

314

453
305

121

.'Ml
10

29

39

91
104

800

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The following estimate was prepared in connection with a forecast of
tonnage requirements, and shows the detailed computation required.

Estimate of supply and tonnage requirements
[Period: Third quarter, July, August, September, 1918]

Medicines, antiseptics, and
disinfectants

Aeacia, powder, 1 pound, in bottle

bottles.

Aciduin aceticum, 4 pound, in bottle

._. bottles,.

Aciduni borieum, powder, 4 pound,

in bottle bottles..

Aeidum hydrooh]ork-um, 4 pound,

in bottle ___bottles._

Acidum nitricum, 4 pound, in bottle

bottles _

Acidum salicylictun, 3 ounces, in

bottle bottles..

Aciduni sulphuricum, 4 pound, in

glass-stopper bottle bottles. .

Acidum tannicum, 3 ounces, in bottle

bottles..

Acidum tartaricum, 4 pound, in

bottle. bottles..

Acidum tartaricum, 5 pounds, in

bottle.__ bottles..

Adrenal in chlorid, 1-mgm. tablets,

20 in tube tubes..

Aether, 14 pound, in tin tins__

Aethylis chloridum, 3 ounces, in met-
al tube .tubes..

Alcohol:

3 pints, in tin tins..

5 gallons, in tin do

A lumen, powder, 4 pound, in bottle

bottles..

Ammonii chloridum, H pound, in

bottle bottles

18
>>
300
35
24
2.".

23

18
10
4

Automatic computed on
troop movement

July

A u- Sep-
gust temher

594
264
9, 900
1, 155
792
825
759
594
330
132

666

738

296

328

11,100

12,300

1,295

1,435

888

984

925

1,025

851

943

660

738

370

1481

11(1
164

400! 13,200 14,
5, 100 168, 300 188,

800 16,

700 209,

250 8.250 9,250 10,250

1,000; 33,000 37,
20G 6, 798; 7,

15 495:
40 1,320; 1,

000; 41,
822 8,

555
480

615

,640

9(1*

888

300

885

664

775

553

I

998

110

440

400!

11)11

Tonnage

6,400
1.400

53, 280
6,240
4,260
2, 081J4

40, M0)4
1,300

1, 668 %

2, 756)4

14,430
367, 965

205 ' i

, 9424

197
1304

mu

90

82 ya

14

No. 1, 6,4

117
50
1,950
232
156
1.-.7
149
117
65
26

100

866 1,

665
440

13,

26,342,4 1,

444.000 16,
600, 620 70,

2,660

2, 225

692 3 4 2,600
5864 33,150

650 6, 500
8845i 1,1"""

123

1WH

97

260

39
16
650
74
52
52
49
39
22

86;

,050

542

No. 2, 7

126
56
2,100
245
168
175
161
126
70
28

12

18

700
82
56
58
54
42
23

2, 800 934
35,70011,900

1, 750, 583

167 7,000 2,334
481

4461 1,442
32 105

87 280

35
92

The section had developed, at the time of the signing of the armistice, an
active, well-organized force. Its work was of great value, and undoubtedly
would have been of inestimable value had the war continued into 1919. 8

It must be remembered in connection with the apparent delay in the
organization of this section that prior to June, 1918, the American Expeditionary
Forces had had no great experience in combat, that issues were largely of initial
equipment, and, furthermore, that available personnel for the medical supply
division was exceedingly scarce.

MEDICAL SUPPLY LIAISON WITH THE UNITED STATES

It was early appreciated by the personnel of the supply division of the
chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., that it lacked information, concerning supplies
for the American Expeditionary Forces, that was available to supply officers
in the Surgeon General's Office. 8 Contact through military channels was
devious and inevitably associated with long delays; furthermore, because of
the limitation in shipping facilities, there was the constant necessity for

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 801

adherence to methods, of asking for supplies, which were not particularly
applicable to the Medical Department. Correspondence by mail was limited,
and had to be exceedingly guarded, by reason of the necessity for secrecy;
correspondence by cablegram proved unsatisfactory because of the difficulties
in making for clarity. Thus, the supply division, chief surgeon's office, was
following an unenlightened course along certain lines. To remedy this, an
effort was made to exchange conferees; that is to say, to send medical supply
officers from the American Expeditionary Forces to the United States, and
vice versa. One such officer was sent to the United States in January, 1918.*
Although subsequent visits were discussed, never again was it possible to
release from duty in France, even for a short period, any of the officers
whose experiences in France would have made their services in this connection
of any value. Undoubtedly it would have been of inestimable value to the
American Expeditionary Forces and of great help to the medical supply service
at home, had it been possible for an experienced officer to have visited Fiance
during the period when the demands of the American Expeditionary Forces
were constantly becoming greater. However, not until after the armistice
was this possible, due to the comparatively few officers who had had experience
in supply work and to the few who were assigned to it during the World War.
It was the conviction of the chief surgeon that for the efficient performance
by the supply service of the Medical Department of the mission assigned it,
it was essential that the service be operated throughout all echelons as a
unit and that the most intimate, direct, and speedy contact be maintained
throughout.

The method of automatic supply having been established by General
Pershing's memorandum of August 20, 1917, the submission of requisitions
thereafter was discouraged. However, in view of the fact that there must
necessarily be a period in which a satisfactory automatic could be developed,
a period of transfer in methods, it was more or less essential that certain
information be sent to the Surgeon General as to our needs. Therefore, the
supply division, from time to time, had prepared, by the officer in charge of
the medical supply depot, his estimates of future needs for the replenishment
of the troops in France and sent them to the United States with the following
indorsements:

[First indorsement!

A. E. F., Office of the Chief Surgeon, L. of C, France, January 11, 191S. To the chief
surgeon, A. K. F.

1. I'orwarded, recommending approval.

F. A. Winter,
Colonel, Medical Corps, United States Army.

[Second indorsement]

H. A. E. F., C. S. O., January 14, 1918. To the Surgeon General, United States Army,
War Department, Washington, D. C.

1. This requisition is forwarded, not with the intention that it be filled but for the
information of the Surgeon General.

2. Another copy of this document is being forwarded by mail one week from this date

and will be labeled duplicate.

A. E. Bradley,

Brigadier General, National Army.

30663—28 51

8()2 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

This was merely an attempt to give the Surgeon General advance informa-
tion. On the other hand, the Surgeon General also tried to give the chief
surgeon advance information, particularly as regards shipments to be expected
in the American Expeditionary Forces. Copies of the orders for shipment from
depots in the United States were sent to France and were of value. Copies of
shipping tickets from depots came, but were of little value inasmuch as they
frequently arrived after the shipment itself; furthermore, the supplies received
could not be identified with any particular shipping ticket. All of these papers,
taken together, were of value to the chief surgeon in that they gave him some
conception of the status of the medical supply service at home — what articles
it had, what it was prepared to ship, and had ordered shipped; however, what
he wanted most was information as to what was floated. When this was made
known to the Surgeon General early in 1918, 58 he directed that lists of the
supplies actually loaded on transports be prepared and sent to the chief surgeon.
This was done. 59

On June 17, 1918, the same procedure was made effective for all depart-
ments following receipt of cablegram from General Pershing. 60

THE RELATION OF THE SUPPLY DIVISION TO THE RED CROSS

Prior to the World War the American Red Cross, so far as its military
activities were concerned, was considered as the medium by which organized
voluntary aid might be utilized to supplement the resources and assist the
personnel of the Medical Department. 61

In the American Expeditionary Forces, two factors very materially influ-
enced the relations of the Red Cross to the Medical Department: (1) American
Red Cross activities there were extended into many fields that were not
primarily within the Medical Department sphere of action. Its welfare work,
its gifts to troops, while of interest to the Medical Department, primarily
concerned other branches of the Military Establishment. (2) The American
Red Cross had for some months prior to the entrance of the United States into
the World War been rendering assistance to the wounded on European soil.
It had in France a strong organization. It was familiar with the sources of
supply and with the methods best adapted to securing production. It had
established under its own control certain centers of production for some of the
material it was furnishing to the French troops. Notably this was the case
with front-line parcels and splints.

The first factor named above resulted in the Red Cross occupying a position
more or less independent of the Medical Department. The second had a very
great effect upon the relations of the supply division of the chief surgeon's
office to the Red Cross and resulted in dependence upon it for the production
in France of many items which under other conditions the Medical Department
would have had produced under its own direction.

Production of the front-line parcels in great number was asked of the
American Red Cross in France. That organization was producing them for
the French and it was obviously better for the Medical Department to avail
itself of the skill and going organization of the Red Cross than to start a new
and perhaps competing organization. Large numbers of these front-line parcels

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 803

and a very considerable number of made-up surgical dressings were delivered
to the American Expeditionary Forces. 62 It was known, however, that the
ultimate requirements would be beyond the capacity of the American Red
Cross organization in France and recourse was had to the Unite 1 States.
Specifications for these dressings were sent to the United States and production
there reached high limits.

Briefly, the arrangement made in the United States between the Medical
Department and the Red Cross for this production was that the Medical
Department was to buy and turn over to the Red Cross the necessary
materials; 63 the Red Cross chapters were to prepare the dressings, which were
to be packed and assembled and turned over to the Medical Department.
Such of them as required sterilization were then to be sent to a contractor for
that process and returned to the Medical Department. The Medical Depart-
ment made shipment to France of such material. The Red Cross, however,
continued to send to France on its own tonnage supplies needed for its own
purposes.

At the request of the chief surgeon, A. E. F., the Red Cross undertook to
so expand its facilities for the production of splints as to take care of the
immediate needs of the American Expeditionary Forces. 62 This work was done
under the immediate supervision of a board of medical officers, A. E. F. 64
These officers selected the types, determined the numbers wanted, supervised
production, and inspected the deliveries. Certain new types were designed by
them. 65 The Red Cross managed the shops and secured the necessary
personnel. The Red Cross also undertook the publication of the approved
findings of the splint board, in the form of a manual. 65 This manual was of
very great help to the supply service.

By agreement with the chief surgeon, A. E. F., the Red Cross undertook the
production of nitrous oxide for anesthesia and made arrangements to establish a
plant for that purpose, machinery and trained personnel being obtained by them
from the United States. 62 Pending its establishment, they purchased the gas
from a French firm. The Army provided the cylinders for this purpose, and
made distribution of the filled tanks from its depots. Empty cylinders were
sent to the Red Cross for refilling. The oxygen and tanks therefor were pro-
vided by the Army.

In all of these efforts they turned over the products to the Medical Depart-
ment in large part and distribution was made from the Army medical supply
depot.

It is obvious that the purchase by the Red Cross of articles also purchased
by the Medical Department interfered with the market in Europe or the
market in America. 2 In so far as purchases of medical supplies by the Red Cross
in Europe is concerned, these were eventually coordinated with those of the
Medical Department under the authority of the general purchasing agent,
A. E. F. It was in procurement from the United States that duplication became
most apparent and where there was the greatest possibility of injury to the
interests of the American Expeditionary Forces because of the importance of
tonnage. With the exception of the surgical dressings referred to above, articles

804 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

that were available in the United States were shipped on both Medical Depart-
ment tonnage and Red Cross tonnage and this duplication resulted in an over-
stocking for the needs of the American Expeditionary Forces. This double
procurement system did not in any way improve the situation in the American
Expeditionary Forces when it came to the articles of which there was still a
shortage, since that shortage resulted largely from the depletion of the markets
at home and in Europe. 8

Following conferences with the Red Cross executives, representation of this
condition was made in the following letter, which presents as well the solution
believed to be the logical one. 66

1. I am informed by the Red Cross that they are receiving from America in their
chapter boxes large quantities of certain articles, many of which are on our supply table.
It is my belief that an agreement must be reached between the Red Cross and the Medical
Department as to the number of such articles needed, and as to the department to supply
them, in order to avoid duplication and to conserve tonnage.

2. Doctor Burlingame, of the Red Cross, has suggested that if the production of surgical
dressings by the chapters in America as heretofore made is considered excessive, the energies
of the women of America might be diverted to the production of these articles which they
are now furnishing and the Medical Department purchasing. As he happily expresses it,
" The women of America must do something."

3. The articles to which reference is especially made are pajamas, operating gowns, bath
robes, convalescent suits, bed shirts (summer and winter), ward slippers. These are articles
that require a good deal of hand sewing, and, in my judgment, the labor of the women of
America might well be employed in their production. The liaison between the Red Cross
and the Medical Department, in my judgment, should exist in the Surgeon General's Office;
for there it would obviate the necessity of purchases by the Medical Department and would
prevent the duplication of these articles for overseas shipments.

4. The Red Cross is now shipping many other articles — items of Medical Department
supply — in which hand labor is not so important a factor; such as sheets, bedspreads, bath,
face, and dish towels, and pillow cases, and I believe an agreement as to the number and
articles to be shipped should be reached; and in Washington a decision as to the department
to supply them should be made.

5. This agreement would mean that the Red Cross would turn over in America these
articles for the American Expeditionary Forces hospitals, that the Surgeon General would
know that they had been shipped, and that shipment would be made direct to our depots in
France, thus avoiding unnecessary delays and reshipments.

6. I am well aware of the necessity for certain publicity for the Red Cross in order to
have maintained the support of the American people. I believe that this publicity could
be obtained and our debt acknowledged by official announcement from the Surgeon
General's Office that the Red Cross had turned over certain amounts of stock.

7. If this meets with your approval, I request that this communication be referred to
the Red Cross commissioner for France, for his consideration, and that it then be referred
to the Surgeon General.

This letter and a subsequent one dated March 6, 1918, in which the matter
was elaborated, resulted in the following letter from the Surgeon General to
the director of military relief, American Red Cross, April 8, 1918: 67

1. This office is in receipt of a letter from the officer of the Medical Corps in charge of
supplies, Expeditionary Forces, France, in which he refers to the present method of handling
Red Cross supplies intended for American troops. He says that the receipt of such supplies —

implies warehouse facilities at the ports. These facilities are extremely scarce. Further than
this every time they receive a consignment of property for Red Cross activity, the property
to be ultimately distributed to our forces independent of their enormous work with the

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN- EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 805

French civil population, it must be sent from the base port to their warehouses in the
interior and then transshipped to the points where it is to be used. You can readily see
how this eats up transportation and warehousing facilities all along the line, and what I
would like to do would be to effect an arrangement by which consignments of their property
could be made to you in the United States, put in your depots, and sent over here consigned
to our depot for issue. There would be an enormous saving of effort, and I think it is very
well worth consideration.

2. For considerable time this manner of handling your supplies intended for United
States forces has been under consideration by this office, and I would strongly urge that it
be put into operation.

3. If you will invoice to the Medical Department the supplies which you desire to
distribute to our expeditionary forces, I shall be glad to include them in our shipment, making
all arrangements, for their transportation overseas, deliver them to our depot overseas and
distributed therefrom, your organization being given credit for the articles so transferred
and so issued.

I believe this would solve your transportation problem so far as our forces are concerned,
and I am convinced that it would materially facilitate that smooth and equitable distri-
bution of supplies so much to be desired and so difficult to obtain.

No change in methods of shipping Red Cross supplies resulted from this
letter.

That there should he, as a result of the separation of the Red Cross from
the Medical Department, some considerable duplication of effort and supplies
was natural. The Medical Department personnel in organization, for the most
part untrained in the methods of obtaining supplies, secured them from
whatever source they found most available, and frequently, being without any
realization of the dangers of shortage of supplies, duplicated their requisitions
and obtained supplies from both the Red Cross and our supply department. 8
As an example, there was temporarily a shortage of sheets during the period
of hospital expansion. The policy was established of issuing six sheets per
hed as initial equipment, further issues to be made when additional supplies
were received. With this arrangement the Medical Department managed to
keep just ahead of the demand. Meanwhile the Red Cross also had sheets
and was being called upon to issue to units other than those for whose supply
they had accepted responsibility, including some who had already received
their allotment of six. This duplication of supply resulted in a shortage in
hospitals at a time when these articles were needed. When attention was
called to this condition the American Red Cross placed its entire available
stock at the disposal of the chief surgeon and distribution was made in bulk to
designated hospitals, which were then not supplied by the Army with the initial
allowance of six. The result of these demands upon the Red Cross was a
financial burden to that organization which they should not have been called
upon to bear and which, in fact, the officials of the Red Cross had no desire to
bear. If the personnel of the Medical Department was untrained, much of
the Red Cross personnel was equally or more so. Being exceedingly desirous of
rendering service and beingentirely unfamiliar with the normal method of supply,
they felt that the burden of supplying hospitals was upon them. In some
cases they were even unfamiliar with the existence of the Medical Department
supply service; as a result, they not only made issues whenever called upon,
regardlesss of the fact that the articles could have and shotdd have been supplied
from Army depots, but they also failed to convey the information necessary to

806 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

prevent a repetition of the demand upon them in the future. In an effort to
meet this situation, after consultation with the Red Cross, and in full agreement
with them, orders were issued permitting issues from the Red Cross only after
approval by division, corps, section, or Army surgeon, or by the chief surgeon.
As a matter of fact it was believed by the supply department and by the Red
Cross officials in Paris that a further restriction would have been better.
However, with the extensive unfamiliarity with Army methods and in view of
the nonrecognition of the necessity for advance requisitions it was felt unsafe
to bar in any manner the way to the prompt securing of supplies. 8

In October, 1918, the national adviser on surgical dressings, American Red
Cross, visited France and made a study of the status of surgical dressings in
the American Expeditionary Forces. His report, except the exhibits referred
to, follows: 68

1. The surgical dressings and raw material now available for the use of the American
Expeditionary Forces in France are given in detail in the accompanying Schedule A, based
on reports received from the Medical Department of the Army and the warehouses of the
American Red Cross under the respective dates, Army, September 1, 1918; American Red
Cross, September 20, 1918.

2. In addition to this, there is a considerable supply of surgical dressings in transport
as shown in Schedule B. '

3. A further supply is available in the United States, the amount of which can be fairly
computed from the figures given in Schedule C, which represents the number of dressings
delivered by the American Red Cross in the United States to shipping points during the
month of July. Similar amounts were delivered during August and September.

4. The stock of raw material and dressings included in sections 1, 2, and 3 represents
the accumulated stores during the months of preparation since the entrance of the United
States into the war, less the issues actually used by the Medical Corps of the American
Expeditionary Forces during the same period.

Prior to the July offensive the number of wounded in the American Expeditionary
Forces was almost negligible, and it is only during the last month that military operations
of any magnitude have taken place. There are, therefore, available no actual data on which
to base an accurate estimate of the number of dressings that may in the future be needed.
A study, however, of the accompanying schedules demonstrates that no conceivable military
operations can exhaust the available supplies for many months.

5. Up to the present time an inspection of hospitals from the advanced zone back to
and including the bases shows that practically all surgical dressings are made up from raw
material furnished by the Army Medical Department in the organization where they are
used, and that only a very minor portion is obtained from the American Red Cross stores.
This is true even in the field hospitals.

6. The front-line parcels are used to a certain extent by the regimental surgeons and
occasionally in the field hospitals, but even these are overlooked by many of the surgeons,
the wounds being covered with plain sterile gauze dressings. The number of these parcels
shown in Schedule A, plus those already in the possession of the United States Army (see
cable 9479-15772, dated September 30, 1918, Schedule A), will amply meet all requirements
for many months.

7. The dressings for "evacuation hospital use" made for the American Red Cross in
the United States constitute an exception to all other types of dressings, as the production
of these has been relatively small; and under certain conditions a large reserve of these
should be held by each evacuation and field hospital.

8. It is therefore recommended that the Army Medical Department in France be
requested to hold all their surplus raw material for surgical dressings in reserve and
requisition from the American Red Cross in France their made-up surgical dressings for
issue to all hospitals.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 807

9. It is further recommended that all surgical dressings from the United States be
shipped by the American Red Cross only under priority D, thus giving priority to other
supplies, the stock of which in France is not in ample reserve. Exceptions should be made
of surgical dressings for evacuation hospital use (see par. 7).

10. It is further recommended that the American Red Cross in the I'nited States be
instructed to discontinue making of all surgical dressings except the present monthly
allotment of dressings for evacuation hospital use and such surgical dressings as may from
time to time be specifically ordered by the French commission.

11. This program shall be continued, subject to monthly study, until such time as data
can be obtained whereby a reserve of safety may be determined, and thereafter dressings
from the United States shall lie ordered and shipped only to an amount necessary to
maintain this reserve.

As a result of this the chief surgeon, A. E. F., required Unit the Medical
Department hold in reserve its supply of dressing material and use the made-
up dressings prepared by the Red Cross. 69 Much of this material was in the
medical supply depots.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER SERVICES OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

Expert assistance was rendered from time to time by the special services
of the Medical Department, A. E. F., not only in the selection of new or
proper articles of equipment, but also in the determination of adequacy and
suitability of supplies in using organizations. A notable example in the selec-
tion of equipment was in the case of the laboratory service. An officer from
this service was ordered in March, 1918, to London for the purpose of procur-
ing in the British market certain laboratory supplies in a series of transportable
laboratory units which he had designed in France. The success which attended
this effort and the good results obtained from these transportable units are due
to this delegation of authority.

The laboratory service also aided materially in the distribution of special
supplies for laboratories and in the distribution of sera and vaccines. Not only
did it do the distributing, but it also worked up the plan therefor. Similar
assistance was given by the other special services — the X-ray, the surgical, etc.

That there was a certain element of danger in this policy is evident. There
was a tendency to depart from the general scheme of supply and to attempt
to establish for each service a special method. That such departure would
have corrected the difficulties existing in the special service, which it was
intended to correct, is problematical. That it would have caused greater diffi-
culties in the supply of other materials is certain.

Much of the information needed by the supply division concerning the
adequacy of supplies in the using organization, which information the supply
division itself was unable to gather, by reason of lack of personnel, was obtained
by professional consultants and transmitted to the supply division. On the
other hand, the chief surgeon encouraged these consultants to visit the medical
supply depots, acquaint themselves with the stock there, and transmit this
information to the man doing professional work. This was particularly appli-
cable because of the unfamiliarity of many of the reserve officers with the
supply table and its nomenclature. Desiring equipment for a certain purpose,
they would ask for the equipment with which they were familiar. In the

g()8 FIXANCE AND SUPPLY

absence of such equipment, their needs were not met. Knowledge of the exist-
ence at the depots of certain other equipment designed or usable for the same
purpose, was not available to them. It was this knowledge that the consultant
could and did convey.

That this was properly a function of the supply service was recognized,
and it was planned to have medical supply personnel traveling out from the
office of the chief surgeon. 8 It was intended they should inquire into the
adequacy of supplies, to instruct in the method of requisitioning, to meet
incoming organizations and to advise them of the location of depots and the
methods' followed in the American Expeditionary Forces, the local situation,
etc.; to acquaint them with the shortage of supplies and the necessity for
economy; to assist in the establishment of storeroom hospitals wherein supplies
could be adequately cared for and conserved; to arrange for the return to the
proper depot of excess supplies; to receive criticisms, and to make suggestions
following their investigations, as to the manner in which distribution of supplies
could be° better accomplished. Such personnel it was never possible to obtain.
Officers of the Sanitary Corps, formerly noncommissioned officers, were thought
to be best prepared for this work, but their services were in demand elsewhere
and it was difficult to secure them in sufficient numbers even for the purposes
of medical supply depots. It is believed that in this respect the Red Cross
had the advantage of the Medical Department, They had men attached to
each base hospital, to each division, and to each territorial section, working
directly under the American Red Cross central office in Paris, privileged to
travel to and fro, having available transportation never allotted the medical
supply service of the Army, and it is probable that many supplies were asked
for of the Red Cross because those officers would obtain them even at great
expense of time and money without trouble to the medical officer making the

requisition. 8

MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES

In addition to the matters which have been discussed, many of compara-
tively minor or of temporary character were handled in the supply division of
the chief surgeon's office.

AUTHORIZATION FOR EMPLOYING CIVILIANS

Until the arrival of the finance and accounting unit in February, 1918, the
activities of which are described in the following chapter, the authorization of
civilian employees by the Medical Department was handled in the supply
division. 8 Usually blanket authority to employ not to exceed a certain number
at the prevailing French rates was the method pursued. Many of the early
hospitals took over old buildings, ofttimes cut up into many small rooms and
therefore not particularly satisfactory for hospital purposes. The number of
personnel assigned to the units was insufficient, and due to the critical short-
age of enlisted personnel, Medical Department, it was impossible to supply
reinforcements. Camp hospitals were established in large numbers with a
skeletonized force from casuals, since these organizations were not provided for
in War Department Tables of Organization. Therefore, a liberal policy was
established in the employment of civilians, and realization of this assistance to

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 809

the Medical Department was made to the fullest extent possible at each
location. The maximum of such civilians under employment at any one time was
4,273. With the establishment of territorial sections this function was delegated
to section surgeons. 8

UNIT EQUIPMENT PURCHASED FROM PRIVATE FUNDS

Elsewhere," reference has been made to the purchase of base hospital
equipment from private funds and by the American Red Cross.

Though the attempt was made by the Medical Department to send these
units to France as complete assemblages, the difficulties of such overseas
transportation made this impossible. The property arrived, split among
several convoys and at different ports. Meanwhile, the personnel usually
had arrived and been supplied with equipment from the depots in France.
It was obviously unnecessary to ship much of the equipment belonging to the
unit. Such things as beds and bedding were placed in the general stock.
However, in view of the personal interests which these units had in the
equipment selected by them, the chief surgeon did attempt to send to them
the additional special and technical equipment which they had included.
In some cases, numbers of the unit were sent to the base depots to pick out
what they wanted. 2 However, the efforts of the chief surgeon along these
lines were not productive of the desired results as was natural under the
conditions existing. The matter is worthy of mention because the failure to
get the equipment which they had so carefully selected and so patriotically
stored for many months was undoubtedly a disappointment to these men
and difficult for them to understand. They had to be reconciled by the fact
that undoubtedly it was of service somewhere in France even though they
were not privileged to use it.

HOSPITAL FUND

Hospital fund statements were credited in the supply division and the
central hospital fund administered until September 13, 1918, when these duties
were turned over to the finance and accounting unit. 8

VOUCHERS

Vouchers were approved until this, too, was taken over by the finance
and accounting unit. 8 Some difficulty was encountered in the early period
with laundry vouchers, and those for civilian employees. The units needing
the services of civilians had no Government funds with which to employ them.
Nor was any disbursing officer of the Medical Department immediately
available. Vouchers were prepared and sent to the disbursing officer. Mail
service was slow and unreliable. Those rendering service desired prompt
payment. In the case of civilian employees, payment weekly was desired.
Sometimes the unit changed station before the check was returned and there
w _ as still further delay and a misunderstanding upon the part of those to whom
the debt was owed.

• See pp. 94-90, Vol. I, of this history.

810 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

The chief surgeon authorized the use of the hospital fund for the payment
of these vouchers, or, in the absence of a hospital fund, the payment from
private funds, reimbursement in either case to be made upon presentation of
the voucher with proper notations. 8

In March, 1918, the chief quartermaster, A. E. F., upon the request of the
chief surgeon, authorized quartermasters to liquidate these accounts from
funds in their possession, reimbursement to be made by the Medical Depart-
ment. This measure was of material assistance since quartermaster disbursing
officers were at most stations. 70

ACCOUNTABILITY

It was impossible to maintain accountability for medical supplies as between
the United States and the American Expeditionary Forces. It is true that
invoices were received, but usually not until long after the supplies had been
received and frequently after their issue. Invoices were received from each
of the several depots in the United States. Each depot numbered its invoices
serially, and the packages from each depot were also numbered serially. A
single shipment of supplies received at a depot in France would not include
all of the supplies listed on one invoice, but, on the other hand, would contain
several packages having the same number. Markings on the boxes were
indefinite, and it was impossible to determine from which depot they had been
shipped and to which invoice they should be credited. 8 Many supplies were
received in France marked for special units and no invoices were furnished.
Frequently these supplies found their way into the supply depot, where, because
the necessity for supplies was so great and the storage space so inadequate,
they were placed in stock and issued. 8 The supplies shipped as " replenishment

supplies, Division," caused some, difficulty in this connection at first, as it

was not understood in France that by such marking only could shipments
from the United States be effected. The supplies so received were obviously
not intended to be carried in the division train and it was impracticable, even
had it been desirable, to segregate these supplies as a reserve for the particular
division. They were placed in stock. Supplies received from European sources
arrived at the depots in partial shipments. 8

It was early apparent that entire accountability must be abandoned or
the needs of the American Expeditionary Forces be neglected. 8 At the medical
supply depots in the American Expeditionary Forces, accountability remained
for the property received, and there was accountability in fixed units. At the
front it was impossible to maintain any system of accountability and General
Orders, No. 74, general headquarters, A. E. F., December 13, 1917, provided
for the cessation of all accountability there.

DECENTRALIZATION

Very early in the history of the American Expeditionary Forces the neces-
sity for decentralization was recognized. It was forseen that the judgment of
the man on the spot would be required, therefore the authority to act should
be delegated to him. Consistently the chief surgeon attempted to follow this
policy in matters of supply.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 811

At first requisitions for medical supplies from units on the lines of com-
munication were made in quadruplicate, one copy being retained by each
requisitioning officer. Three copies were sent to the chief surgeon, Line of
Communications, and after action by him, were sent to the medical depot for
issue. 8

On August 13, 1917, Circular No. 1 was published, of which the following
is an extract:

Circular No. 1.

Headquarters Line of Communications,

American Expeditionary Forces,

Office of the Chief Surgeon.
"Requisitions for medical supplies" will be sent to the surgeon, B. G. and L. (). C, at
liis office, which for the present time is in Paris. Two copies of the requisition should be
made, one to be forwarded and one retained by the officer making the requisition.

F. A. Winter,
Colonel, Medical Corps,
Surgeon, B. G. and L. O. C.
Approved:

By order of Brigadier General Blatchford:

J. P. McAdams,
Captain, 11th Infantry, Acting Chief of Staff.

This was an early effort to relieve the using units of any burden connected
with supply. It was contemplated that supplies asked for were to be issued
to the greatest possible extent, since there would be under this procedure no
retained copy of requisitions in the office of the chief surgeon and, therefore, no
way of checking requests againsts previous requisitions.

In Circular No. 6, issued by the chief surgeon, Line of Communications, on
September 28, 1917, attention was called to the need for one copy only.

On the theory that the only legitimate reason for withholding supplies asked
for was the necessity for protecting the interests of other, later, requisitioners by
maintaining in the depots sufficient stock to meet their requirements, on
December 4, 1917, the policy of sending requisitions direct to the depot was
was instituted and the depot officer was given the authority to modify the
requisitions in the name of the chief surgeon, Line of Communications, if
such modifications were necessary to the maintenance of at least a small reserve
of essential items. 71 Such practice did not, in any way, deprive units of needed
supplies. It gave them less reserve in their own possession, and necessitated
other requisitions at short intervals. 8

This policy was applicable also to vouchers; 71 but, in so far as vouchers were
concerned, it was modified on June 12, 1918, when upon the establishment of
the finance and accounting unit, chief surgeon's office, these vouchers were
again sent to the chief surgeon. 72

On December 15, 1917, the commanding officers of base hospitals were
authorized to meet emergency needs by local purchases. 73 The purpose of this
authorization was perhaps not clearly understood by all of those to whom it
was given. It was, of course, never thought by the chief surgeon that $100 a
month would meet the entire supply needs of a base hospital. The purpose
was to relieve the commanding officer of the necessity for making requests for
authority to purchase in each case, or to make a written explanation of the

812 FINANCE AXD SUPPLY

circumstances requiring an emergency purchase without authority. It was
intended to enable the commanding officer to have made minor repairs to-
Medical Department equipment.

Circular No. 19, published by the chief surgeon, Line of Communications,
February 14, 1918, indicated further his desire to decentralize the operation of
the Medical Department:

1. Re-port of expenditures. — Expenditures made from Medical Department funds under
the provisions of paragraph 4, Circular 15, this office, will be reported monthly to the
section surgeons, showing amount of each expenditure and the purpose for which expended.

Section surgeons are empowered to authorize expenditures and to approve vouchers
therefor from Medical Department funds for purposes properly chargeable under regulations
against such funds, of amounts not to exceed $250.

Section surgeons will furnish monthly to the chief surgeon, general headquarters,
A. E. F., through this office, a list of vouchers approved by them during the month, giving
the amount, from whom purchased, the organization making the purchase, with the name
of the officer signing the voucher, and the general class of article purchased.

***** * *

3. Statement of hospital funds. — These statements will hereafter be sent to the section
surgeons, who will act upon them, forwarding them, when approved, direct to the chief
surgeon, general headquarters, A. E. F.

Subsequently, the following circulars, which are self-explanatory, were
promulgated:

Circular No. 26.

American Expeditionary Forces,

Office of the Chief Surgeon,

France, May 4, 1918.
* * * * * * *

5. Forwarding of purchase vouchers. — All vouchers covering purchases made under the
provisions of paragraph 4, Circular No. 15, Chief Surgeon's Office, Line of Communications,
and all vouchers for purchase made under the provisions of paragraph 1, Circular No. 19,
chief surgeon's office, Line of Communications, will be sent through the section surgeon to
this office, for payment by the disbursing officer attached hereto.

6. Requisitions upon the Red Cross. — Hereafter requisitions upon the Red Cross will be
honored at the Red Cross depots after approval by the following officers:

For all troops within a division, by the division surgeon.

For all hospitals and troops in the Services of Supply, by the section surgeons.

Attention is again invited to the fact that the Red Cross should not be asked for articles
on the supply table or properly chargeable against Medical Department funds, except in
emergencies, and to the undesirability of submitting to the Red Cross requisitions for articles
erased from the medical supply tables by reason of their unimportance.

t. * * * * * *

8. Purchase of technical apparatus locally. — It is believed that many small purchases,
particularly of surgical instruments and minor technical apparatus, are being made in the
local markets. This is no doubt due to the fact that there was great difficulty in securing
these articles from the supply department in the early days. A well-balanced and well-
maintained shipment of such equipment is now being received from the United States and
it is desired that all requests for this material should pass first through the medical supply
depot; the officer in charge of which will, if necessary, make request upon the purchasing
officer.

M. W. Ireland,
Brigadier General, National Army, Chief Surgeon.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 813

Circular No. 43.

American Expeditionary Forces.

Office of the Chief Surgeon,

August 1, 1918.
*******
9. Authority to authorize expenditures and approve vouchers on Medical Department funds. —
Authority to authorize expenditures and to approve vouchers for purchases properly charge-
able against Medical Department funds, in sums not to exceed $250, is granted to the
commanding officers of all hospital centers and to the chief surgeons of armies.

The authority to authorize expenditures and to approve vouchers for purchases properly
chargeable against Medical Department funds, in sums not to exceed $100, is hereby granted

to chief surgeons of army corps.

M. W. Ireland,

Brigadier General, Medical Corps, National Army, Chief Surgeon.

Circular No. 45.

American Expeditionary Forces,

Office of the Chief Surgeon,

France, August 13, 1918.
*******
III. Civilian employees for hospital centers. — Authority is hereby granted to commanding
officers of hospital centers to authorize the employment of such civilian employees as may
be necessary for the administration of the base hospitals under their command. The
employment of these civilians must be in accordance with existing regulations; and attention
is invited to Bulletin No. 14, headquarters, Line of Communications, February 13, 1918,
and Circular Order No. 7, headquarters, Services of Supply, March 11, 1918.

M. W. Ireland,
Brigadier General, Chief Surgeon.

Following the shifting of the duty of acting upon requisitions to the officer
in charge of the supply depots, the supply division of the chief surgeon's office
was concerned with matters connected with storage space for future needs;
with estimates of supplies needed for succeeding months; with estimates of
tonnage requirements, and with their defense; with purchases for American
Expeditionary Forces units; and with occasional purchases for stock; with the
authorization of civilian employees; and with Red Cross aid to American
Expeditionary Forces units; with priorities for Medical Department supply
units and personnel therefor.

REFERENCES

(1) Report of the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to the commanding general, 8. (). S., March 20,

1919, concerning the activities of the chief surgeon's office. On file, Historical
Division, S. G. O. Also: Final Report General John J. Pershing.

(2) Historical Report of Medical Activities, Line of Communications, American Expedi-

tionary Forces, during the War Period, undated, by Brig. Gen. F. A. Winter, M. C.
On file, Historical Division, S. G. O.
<3) Weekly War Diaries, chief surgeon, A. E. F. (Memoranda for the chief of staff, A. E. F.)
July 21, 1917. On file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(4) Ibid., September 2, 1917.

(5) Wadhams, Sanford H., Col., M. C, and Tuttle, Arnold D., Col., M. C: Some of the

Early Problems of the Medical Department, A. E. F. The Military Surgeon, Wash-
ington, D. C, 1919, XLV, No. 6, 636.

<6) Weekly War Diaries, chief surgeon, A. E. F., November 25, 1917.

(7) Letter from the chief surgeon, L. O. C, to the chief surgeon, A. E. F., February 14,
1918. Subject: Centralization of supply control. Copy on file, Historical Division,
S. G. O.

814 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(8) Report of the activities of the supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., May,

1919, by Col. N. L. McDiarmid, M. C. On file, Historical Division, S. G. 0.

(9) G. O., No.130, G. H. Q., A. E. F., August 0, 1918.

(10) Memorandum from the medical representative of the chief surgeon on the General

Staff to the chief surgeon, A. E. F., April 28, 1918. On file, Historical Division,
S. G. O.

(11) Letter from the chief surgeon, L. O. C, to the chief surgeon, A. E. F., January 17, 1918.

Subject: Therapeutic sera. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(12) Telegram from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, medical supply depot,

El Paso, Tex., May 19, 1917. Copy on file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
14778— C.

(13) Telegram from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, medical supply depot,

New York City, May 19, 1917. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(14) Letter from Lieut. Coh H. C. Fisher, M. C, to Col. M. W. Ireland, M. C, August 11,

1917, relative to medical supplies for the American Expeditionary Forces. Copy
on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(15) Letter from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to the Surgeon General, July 3, 1917. Subject:

Forwarding medical supplies without requisition. Copy on file, Historical Division,
S. CO.

(16) Memorandum, Headquarters, A. E. F., August 20, 1917. Subject: Automatic supply.

Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(17) Cablegram No. 145-S. From General Pershing to The Adjutant General, September

7, 1917.

(18) Cablegram No. 155-S. From General Pershing to The Adjutant General. Paragraph

7, for the Surgeon General.

(19) Letter from the Surgeon General to the chief surgeon, A. E. F., October 27, 1917,

relative to automatic supply. On file, Finance and Supply Division, S. G. O.,
713-250
15

(20) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, medical supply depot, New

York, October 6, 1917. Subject: Automatic replenishment of medical supplies per
month. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(21) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, medical supply depot, New

York, October 13, 1917. Subject: Automatic replenishments. Copy on file, His-
torical Division, S. G. O.

(22) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, medical supply depot, New

York, November 8, 1917. Subject: Automatic replacement of post supplies. Copy
on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(23) Letter from the Surgeon General to the officer in charge, medical supply depot, New

York, November 9, 1917. Subject: Replenishments for the 26th and 42d Divisions.
Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(24) Letter from the Surgeon General to the surgeon, medical base group, A. E. F., October

27,1917. Subject: Automatic replenishment of supplies. Copy on file, Historical
Division, S. G. O.

(25) Letter from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to the officer in charge, Intermediate Medical

Supply Depot No. 3, February 1, 1918. Subject: Automatic supply. Copy on
file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(26) First indorsement, office of the chief surgeon, L. O. C, to the chief surgeon, A. E. F. ,

February 15, 1918. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(27) Letter from the officer in charge, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 3, to the

chief surgeon, L. O. C, February 4, 1918. Subject: Automatic supply. On file
A. G. O., World War Division, Chief Surgeon's File, 401.

(28) Letter from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to the Surgeon General, April 2, 1918.

Subject: Automatic supply. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 815

(29) Report of chief of medical group to assistant chief of staff, 4th section of general staff,

December 31, 1918. Subject: Activities of medical group, 4th section, general staff,
General Headquarters, A. E. F. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(30) Memorandum from Col. S. H. Wadhams, General Staff, G. H. Q., to the chief surgeon,

A. E. F., May 28, 1918. On file, A. G. O., World War Division Chief Surgeon's
File, 319.2.

(31) Final Report of Gen. John J. Pershing.

(32) Organization of the Armies of Supply, A. E. F., Monograph No. 7. Prepared in the

Historical Branch, War Plans Division, General Staff, June, 1921, Washington,
Government Printing Office, 1921, 10, 11.

(33) Letter from the adjutant general, A. E. F., to the acting commander, L. O. C, July

19, 1917. On file, A. G. O., World War Division, Chief Surgeon's File, 370.41.

(34) Organization of the Services of Supply, 123.

(35) Supply Circular No. 19, office of the chief surgeon, L. O. C, February 14, 1918.

(36) Third indorsement, from the chief surgeon, L. O. C, to the officer in charge, advance

medical supply depot No. 1, Is-sur-Tille, August 21, 1918. On file, A. G. ()., World
War Division, Chief Surgeon's File, 400.01.

(37) G. O., No. 55, G.H.Q., A. E. F., April 12, 1918.

(38) Letter from the chief surgeon, L. O. C, to the commanding general, L. O. C, February

11, 1918. Subject: Storage for Medical Department. Copv on file, Historical
Division, S. G. O.

(39) Memorandum for the Medical Department from the assistant chief of staff, G-4,

G. H. Q., A. E. F., April 19, 1918. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O. '

(40) Memorandum for the assistant chief of staff, G-4, G. H. Q., from the chief surgeon,

A. E. F., April 25, 1918. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(41) Letter from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to the fourth section, general staff, G. H. Q.,

A. E. F., May 24, 1918. Subject: Reserve stock at railhead— G. O., No. 55. Copy
on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(42) Second indorsement, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., June 1, 1918, to the assistant

chief of staff, G-4, general staff, G. H. Q., A. E. F. Copv on file, Historical
Division, S. G. O.

(43) Telegram from the assistant chief of staff, G-4, G. H. Q., A. E. F., June 12, 1918, to

the officer in charge, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 3, Cosne. On file,
A. G. O., World War Division, Chief Surgeon's File, 322.33.

(44) Memorandum for the commanding general, L. O. C, from the chief surgeon, L. 0. C,

January 24, 1918. Subject: Priority of shipments from base ports. Copy on file,
Historical Division, S. G. O.

(45) Third indorsement, G. H. Q., A. E. F., chief surgeon, general staff, February 2, 1918,

to commanding general, L. O. C. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(46) Fouith indorsement, office of the commanding general, L. O. C, February 0, 1918, to

the commanding officers, Base Sections No3. 1, 2, and 5. Copy on file, Historical
Division, S. G. O.

(47) Based on correspondence between the commanding general, L. O. C, and the commanding

generals, base sections, A. E. F. On file, A. G. O., World War Division, Chief
Surgeon's File, 400.24.

(48) Memorandum for the general staff, from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., April 23, 1918,

concerning supply depots for hospital centers. Copy on file, Historical Division
S. G. O.

(49) Memorandum for the chief of utilities, A. E. F., from the assistant chief of staff, G-4,

Hq., S. O. S., April 29, 1918. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(50) Letter from the chief surgeon, L. O. C, to the commanding officer, B. H. No. 18,

A. E. F., October 19, 1917. Subject: Issue of medical supplies to divisional troops
in your area. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(51) Report of the Medical Department activities of Base Section No. 1, undated, by Col.

Charles L. Foster, M. C. On file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

316 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(52) Second indorsement from the chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., July 27, 1918, to the com-

manding officer, hospital center at Mesves, concerning hospital center medical
supply depots. Copy on file. Historical Division, S. G. ().

(53) Letter from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to surgeons of base sections, January 1, 1919.

Subject: Accountability. On file, A. O. 0., World War Division, Chief Surgeon's
File, 143.

(54) Correspondence pertaining to tonnage forecasts. On file, A. G. < >., World War Division,

Chief Surgeon's File, 400.314.

(55) Memorandum from the adjutant general, S. O. S., to the chief surgeon, A. E. F. April

29, 1918. Subject: Quartely forecast. On file, A. G. O., World War Division,
Chief Surgeon's File, 400.314.

(56) Memorandum from Hq. 8. O. 8., to the chief surgeon, A. E. F., April 6, 1918. Subject:

Tonnage priority lists. On file, A. G. <)., World War Division, Chief Surgeon's
File, 440.1.

(57) Letter from the chief surgeon, A. K. F., to the assistant chief of staff, G-l, Hq.,

S. O. S., July 16, 1918. Subject: Report of tonnage estimates. Copy on file,
Historical Division, S. G. O.
(5S) First indorsement from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to the Surgeon General, January
11 1918, relative to overseas shipments. Copy on file, Historical Division,
S. G. O.

(59) Lists of overseas shipments from all ports for the month of July, 1918.

(60) Letter from the Chief of Embarkation Service to the Surgeon General, June 17,

1918. Subject: Overseas shipments. On file, Record Room S. G. O., 400.16.

(61) Manual for the Medical Department, 1'. S. Army, 1916, par. 536.

(62) Military History of the American Red Cross in France, by Lieut. Col. C. C. Burlinganie,

M. C. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(63) Letter from the Surgeon General to Mr. Henry D. Gibson, general manager, American

Red Cross, March S, 1918. Subject: Order for surgical dressings. On file, Finance

and Supply Division, S. G. O., „ s •

(64) S. O., No. 73, H. A. E. F., August 20, 1917.

(65) Manual of Splints and Appliances, for the use of the Medical Department of the

United States Army, 1918.

(66) Letter from the chief surgeon, L. O. C, to the chief surgeon, A. E. F., February 11,

1918. Subject: Red Cross production. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. 0.

(67) Letter from the Surgeon General to the director of military relief, American Red Cross,

Washington, April 8, 1918. Subject: Method of handling Red Cross supplies. On

, ~. • • . ,. ,-. 250 Fr.

file, Finance and Supply Division, 8. G. ()., sks "

(68) Letter from Maj. J. A. Hartwell, to Lieut. Col. Fred T. Murphy, October 15, 1918.

Subject: Report on surgical dressings. Copy on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(69) Circular No. 56, office of the chief surgeon, A. E. F., November 19, 1918.

(70) Circular No. 16, office of the chief surgeon, A. E. F., March 28, 1918.

(71) Circular No. 14, office of the chief surgeon, L. O. C, December 4, 1917.

(72) Circular No. 33, office of the chief surgeon, A. E. F., June 12, 1918.

(73) Circular No. 15, office of the chief surgeon, L. O. C, December 15, 1917.

CHAPTER XLVII
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING

PURPOSE

An act of Congress, dated September 24, 1917, authorized the Comptroller

of the Treasury and the Auditor for the War Department to send to the

American Expeditionary Forces portions of their organizations for performing

there the functions of their offices. As a result of the establishment of the

offices of the Assistant Comptroller of the Treasury and of the Assistant

Auditor for the War Department in France, 1 and in accordance with the

request of General Pershing, the chiefs of the various War Department bureaus

organized units to function in the American Expeditionary Forces in a manner

similar to the finance and property divisions of the several departments in the

United States. Thus the unit formed in the Medical Department eventually

became the finance and acccounting division of the chief surgeon's office,

A. E. F. 2

PERSONNEL

In availing himself of the authorization referred to above, the Surgeon
General had an officer of the Medical Corps ordered to Washington for
consultation, and upon arrival directed him to obtain and organize a force
sufficient to care for the Medical Department accounts for an army of 2,000,000
men. 3 After consultation with the Assistant Auditor for the War Department
and with various other departmental authorities this officer modeled his
organization on that of the corresponding division of the Surgeon General's
Office. 3 In order to get men qualified for this work all the large banks as far
west as Chicago, and a large number of insurance companies, railroads, and
department stores were requested to supply the names of drafted men qualified
for service in this group. 3 Prompt replies were obtained but, meanwhile,
almost all the men named had been assigned to such duties that their transfer
was not feasible. Banks were then asked to supply lists of their employees
who were about to be called to the colors and from these by induction and
enlistment the number desired was obtained. From time to time personnel to
a total of 7 officers (including the chief of the division) and 135 men pertaining
to this group were sent to France. 3 It was purposed, in so far as the men were
concerned, that many of them would perform clerical service not only in the
office of the chief surgeon, A. E. F., but also at medical supply depots, with
division surgeons, and in similar assignments. 3

Because of numerous transfers, the enlisted personnel of this unit was
further reduced to 37 men. One of the officers was sent to Paris for duty in
the bureau of accounts, A. E. F., and one was assigned to duty with the general
purchasing board, A. E. F.

30663—28 52 817

818 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

On April 1, 1918, when the unit was attached 1o the office of the chief
surgeon, it consisted of G officers and 47 men. Gradually other personnel were
added until in February, 1919, this division consisted of 10 officers, 132 enlisted
men, and 15 French civilians. This was its maximum strength. 3

PREPARATORY WORK

In November, 1917, a temporary office was established at the New York
medical supply depot, where the plan of organization was developed, and
recruits were examined to determine their technical qualifications. 3 These
men were then sent to Governors Island to be recruited and temporarily
quartered. While there they were given some drill and were instructed in
their prospective duties. Supplies also were collected at this place and plans
made for the details of piocedure and work of the detachment abroad.

The first section of this detachment, consisting of 5 officers and 100 men,
left the United States on January 4, 1918, and arrived at St. Nazaire on Janu-
ary 17. 3 From January 24 to February 13 the group was stationed at Bois,
where its organization was perfected. 2 Plans of procedure were chartered and
suggestions worked out for the improvement of the methods of handling money
and property accounts of the Medical Department.

After the unit moved to Tours, on February 13, it established its office,
and about March 15 began its actual work in rooms assigned to it in barracks
No. 66. 3

A second section of this group, consisting of 2 officers and 35 men, which
had arrived in France on February 9, was broken up, only the officers and 2
enlisted men eventually joining the original unit then at Tours. 3

On May 1, 1918, the finance and accounting division became a part of the
division of supplies of the chief surgeon's office, A. E. F. 3

SCOPE OF ORGANIZATION

At first, the division had three chief activities: Money accounting, disburs-
ing, and property accounting. 4 As occasion demanded, other functions were
added until eventually the division had 15 distinct but related activities and
was divided into corresponding sections. 2

DISBURSING

This section paid French commercial bills, all doubtful vouchers (when
found to be legal) which were referred to it by othei disbursing officers of the
Medical Department, all laundry accounts, and all civilian personnel pay rolls. 2
For the month of January, 1919, these disbursements amounted to 844,207.70
francs, representing 573 vouchers. Prior to March 1, 1919, the disbursing
officer paid one-third of the total number of Medical Department vouchers
settled in France. Before payment the auditor checked up duplications. A
liaison was established with both the hospitalization division, chief surgeon's
office and the quartermaster department, A. E. F., in matters pertaining to
laundry accounts whereby many hospitals through use of near-by quartermaster
laundries saved many thousands of dollars. By April 30, 1919, the section had

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 819

paid 4,593 vouchers. This section made considerable savings by eliminating
duplicate payments and by arranging that hospitals use existing facilities
instead of purchasing supplies and labor in open market. Records were made
of the time elapsing between dates of purchase and dates of payment, and every
effort was made to expedite settlements, thus promoting good will on the part
of French vendors. Arrangements were made whereby quartermaster disburs-
ing officers of Base Hospitals and hospital centers might pay accounts of civil-
ians then employed, the Medical Department appropriations to be reimbursed
by Treasury transfer. The importance of this provision is borne out by the fact
that on November 30, 1918, there were 3,782 French civilians on Medical
Department pay rolls. The average amount of purchases made direct by field
organizations were made of record, by which many possible expenditures, by
certain units which were given to extravagance, were eliminated.

AUDITING MONEY VOUCHERS

In this section were audited all accounts which already had been paid
(except those on civilian pay rolls) by disbursing officers of the Medical
Department, A. E. F. 2 So far as possible any errors in these accounts were
corrected before they were forwarded to the Treasury Department at
Washington for final audit. Vouchers were examined to determine whether
they were legal, were correct charges against Medical Department funds,
conformed to authorization for disbursement, were arithmetically correct, and
there was no duplication. The analysis also included such matters as the
time interval between delivery of supplies and payment therefor; the size of
average purchase; comparision of volume and prices of similar articles purchased
by different units. Data thus gained made possible not only an expedition of
payments, but also an elimination of unnecessary purchases and an approximate
standardization of prices. Because of this careful auditing very few suspen-
sions were made by the Treasury Department in the accounts of Medical
Department disbursing officers. By cancellation of erroneous vouchers and by
securing the agreement of other departments, A. E. F., to pay items which
properly belonged to their appropriations, many millions of dollars were saved
to the Medical Department. A cash refund of approximately $1.5,000 worth
of overpayments was received, as a result of detection of overpayments and
duplication of vouchers. The value of carefully auditing money vouchers
and recording financial data was fully demonstrated when it was necessary
finally to submit the accounts of medical disbursing officers to the Assistant
Auditor for the War Department. These accounts were in such condition
that they could be accepted without causing any difficulty to the disbursing

officers.

ANALYSIS AND RECORD OF DISBURSEMENTS

This section made an index and abstracts of all vouchers before they
passed out of the possession of the Medical Department. 2 These important
abstracts included such data as the name of the vendor, material, price paid,
date paid, by whom paid. They were made with the view of facilitating future
settlement of claims which previous wars showed would continue to be made
for many j-ears. 2

820 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

ANALYSIS AND RECORD OF ACCOUNTS OF CIVILIAN* PERSONNEL

This section audited and made abstracts from pay rolls of civilian personnel
before the rolls were forwarded to the Treasury. 2 The abstracts showed names
of civilian employees, authority for employment, when and where employed,
when and by whom paid, etc. Prior to payment many erroneous items were
eliminated, some refunds were procured, and some payments were transferred
to other corps. Also in this section, efforts were made to provide for prompt
payments.

ANALYSIS AND RECORD OF HOSPITAL FUNDS

This section audited the individual hospital fund statements rendered by
the mess officers of the various Medical Department units, maintained a file
of custodians of hospital funds, and records covering the amounts due to various
hospitals from individual officers for subsistence while they were patients in
hospital. 2 At the peak of this work in March, 1919, 691 organizations were
rendering monthly statements and the transactions represented by them
amounted in one month to approximately 35,000,000 Francs. 2 Not only were
many underpayments and overpayments corrected, but efforts were made also
to promote prompt payment of bills rendered by French civilians.' Deficits
were prevented by issuing warnings to those concerned; in some instancies,
when gross negligence was evident, liquidation was secured from the private
funds of officers who were responsible. Arrangements were made for the
transfer of food stocks between organizations. The decision of the Comptroller
of the Treasury giving the Medical Department the right to retain proceeds
from sale of waste, and the right to turn in to the Quartermaster Corps unused
food stocks, led to relatively large savings; proceeds thus secured from the
sale of garbage amounted to several hundred thousand francs. 4 One of the
activities of this section pertained to the collection of funds from officers for
payment of their subsistence while in hospital at the rate of $1 per day. 4
Many officers inadvertently overlooked this obligation, but thousands of dollars
were saved by carefully following them up.'

TRAVELING AUDITORS OF HOSPITAL FUNDS

This section consisted of a small staff which checked up records when
there appeared to be anything irregular, but whose chief duty was instruction
in the field of mess officers and hospital fund custodians in technicalities
pertaining to these funds, the correction of errors, and the proper execution of
disbursing and property papers. 2 Constantly in the field, they gave instruction
to Medical Department clerks in the preparation of disbursement vouchers,
property vouchers and returns; 2 also, they assisted very materially in closing
money and property accounts of units returning to the United States. 4
Always there were more calls for their services than could be met. 2

CUSTODIANSHIP OF CENTRAL HOSPITAL FUND

The work which engaged this section was taken over about September 13,
1918, when the hospital fund in the chief surgeon's office amounted to 18,800
francs. 4 Subsequently, this section controlled the central hospital fund, the
loan or donation of small amounts to new organizations, the transfer of

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 821

hospital funds between organizations, the reception of funds from disbanding
units, and the closure of balances. 2 The fund on May 1, 1919, was over one
hundred and fifty times what it had been when taken over in the previous
September, the item of interest alone amounting to almost as much as the
initial central fund. 2 By May 9, 1919, it amounted to 2,802,792.81 francs; 5
By May 24, it was 3,0S4,000 francs. 6

LIAISON WITH FINANCE DIVISIONS AND TREASURY OFFICIALS

By means of this section the finance and accounting division maintained
close liaison with similar divisions in other departments, American Expeditionary
Forces, the finance officer, the finance requisition officer, and the officials of the
Treasury in the American Expeditionary Forces. 2 This contact proved to be
of value in keeping abreast of the various developments in financial matters in
the American Expeditionary Forces.

ISSUE OF CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE

Through this section clearance certificates were issued covering money and
property accountability. 2 In the cases of deceased officers these certificates
were issued to the Treasury Department and in the case of others to the
officers themselves. This work became considerable during the later history
of the finance and accounting division; however, its performance was expedited
through advance information concerning organizations or individuals returning
to the United States which thus permitted the preparation of clearances even
before these were called for. Arrangements were such that these certificates
were issued at any hour of the day or night, usually a few minutes after they
were requested. Of the total number of clearances issued prior to April 30,
1919 (other than those to deceased officers), only 150 were for parts of the
accounts concerned, all other clearances being complete. Officers were assisted
in every possible way in placing their accounts in correct form, and every
effort was made to create good will among those returning to the United States
and to civil life. Only 312 of the many certificates for deceased officers were
for partial clearance and practically all of the debts in these cases were for
small charges while in hospital.

BILLING ALLIES FOR HOSPITAL CHARGES

One section of the finance and accounting division was engaged in
compiling data, from all available sources, relative to the hospitalization of
allied troops in American hospitals, in converting these data into proper bills,
and in submitting them to the governments concerned. 2 During the period
that this work was being conducted by this section, these bills amounted to
$194,084.32. In April, 1919, this work was turned over to the Medical
Department representative at Paris in compliance with orders that that officer
be charged with the conduct of all financial transactions with foreign govern-
ments. Also this section formulated some of the bills against other depart-
ments of the American Expeditionary Forces, but this work also was turned
over eventually to the Medical Department representative in Paris.

822 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

COMPILATION OF STATISTICAL DATA AND FINANCIAL REPORTS

This section compiled monthly, semiannual, and annual financial reports
of various kinds, and also certain special reports which were of peculiar value
at different times. 2 These financial reports, which were rendered to the offices
concerned, covered almost every phase of the financial operations of the
Medical Department. From statistical data which this division maintained it
was possible to trace completely all Medical Department funds from the time
they left the United States Treasury until they were expended for material
and labor. These records covered the financial transactions of the Medical
Department from the inception of the American Expeditionary Forces until
April 30, 1919.

EXAMINATION AND FILING OF PROPERTY VOUCHERS

This section maintained from 7,500 to 10,000 individual files each of which
concerned an accountable or responsible officer. 2 During its most strenuous
period approximately 3,500 vouchers per week were handled. Invoices,
2-eceipts, and returns were compared; discrepancies noted; certificates were
audited, recorded, and filed; a card index for all officers responsible for medical
supplies was maintained. The determination of property responsibility was
the source of much trouble throughout the entire period of activity of the
finance and accounting division, for it was seriously handicapped by the
uncertain states of property accountability in that jurisdiction. This was
occasioned by confusing orders capable of various interpretations. Before the
armistice was signed accountability was especially uncertain, but an attempt
was made to require a strict accountability, subject to due consideration of the
conditions incident to active warfare. By May 1 returns to that date had
been audited. Whenever necessary, statements of differences were drafted and
the balance of the returns filed in such a way as to be accessible and to show
the final disposition of the case and the authority for this action.

EXAMINATION OF PROPERTY RETURNS

More than 1,000 returns were received and audited by the section engaged
in this duty. 2 It would have been completely overwhelmed had not Circular
No. 68, chief surgeon's office, February 8, 1919, been issued, conformably to
existing orders. This circular limited the officers responsible for Medical
Department property to those at base hospitals, supply depots and schools and
thus eliminated from such accountability thousands of other officers who would
have been required to render returns.

LEGAL REFERENCE LIBRARY

The section in charge of the legal reference library maintained complete
files and formulated indices of Army Regulations, general orders, bulletins, and
circulars issued by the different headquarters, whether the United States Army
or the American Expeditionary Forces, abstracts of statistics and decisions of
the Comptroller of the Treasury, the Auditor for the War Department, the
Judge Advocate General, etc, 2 This section had been organized merely for the

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 823

use of the finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office, in settling
questions of legality and in keeping up to date different files of orders and
decisions, but in addition, copies of its compilations were used by Treasury
officials, the advisory board of war risk insurance, the secretary of the general
staff, financial bureaus and other departments of the Army, and by various
officers of the Medical Department either in the office of the Chief Surgeon or
elsewhere. 3 This section was also called upon to draw up contracts. 4 Questions
were referred to it much as opinions were asked of attorneys in civil life, for
the personnel of this section were lawyers in civil life.

LIAISON WITH BUREAU OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE BUREAU

With the formation in Paris of the bureau of accounts by General Orders,
No. 5, Services of Supply, 1918, and the finance bureau, by General Orders,
No. 199, General Headquarters, A. E. P., 1918, a member of the finance and
accounting division, chief surgeon's office, was in liaison with each of them and
was permitted to pass upon many contemplated plans which affected financial
operations in which the Medical Department was concerned.- The cash expen-
ditures of that department until April 30, 1919, amounted to $15,000,000. By
May 8, 1919, the Medical Department had purchased in Europe medical and
hospital supplies to a value of $21,084,943.14, exclusive of the cost of 19 hospital
trains (approximately $5, 166, 66(5. 67). 2

CENTRAL HOSPITAL FUND, THIRD ARMY

By March 21, 1919, instructions had been given for the establishment of
a central hospital fund in the office of the surgeon, Third Army, and authority
had been given that office to give or take from hospital funds of units in the
Third Army such sums as might seem proper, to retain in the central fund such
portions of hospital funds, of departing units as might seem desirable, to audit
hospital fund statements of units in the Third Army and to retain audited
statements, to arrange for payment of civilian personnel out of the hospital
funds, Third Army, and to audit civilian pay rolls. 7

ARRANGEMENTS FOR RETURNING IMPORTANT FINANCIAL AND PROPERTY
PAPERS TO THE UNITED STATES

Early in April, 1919, arrangements were made to send important financial
and property papers to the United States by regular courier service, and at the
same time a commissioned officer from the finance and accounting division,
who was thoroughly acquainted with the various documents and could explain
them to the interested departments in the United States. 8 A section was
established in this division to collect all these Medical Department finance
and property papers to be sent back to the United States and to compile a
complete index of all communications and other papers which previously had
been sent there.

DISCONTINUANCE OF FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING DIVISION

By May 14, 1919, the chief surgeon, A. E F., approved the discontinuance
of the finance division as of June 15, following. 2 Small detachments of the
office force were to remain in service at Tours, Coblenz, Antwerp, and Wash-
ington, while other members of it were to be discharged. The entire division

824 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

was then preparing copies of all records that might be needed after the originals
had been returned to the United States. These copies were to be retained in
in the chief surgeon's office, A. E. F. 2

A small part of the finance and accounting division continued in the chief
surgeon's office, to make such disbursements as were necessary and to maintain
liaison with fiscal offices in the United States. 2 This service continued after
the American Expeditionary Forces was succeeded by the American Forces
in France and the American Forces in Germany. 9

During the period August to November, 1919, the closing months of our
activities in France, claims for services rendered or supplies delivered to various
hospitals and units throughout France were investigated and vouchers prepared
and paid. 9 Many of the accounts so paid were of long standing, the original
bills apparently having been lost. 9 Investigations of these charges were
difficult, not only on account of insufficient receipts but also because officers
who gave the orders, received the supplies, or engaged the services had
returned to the United States.

After November 15, 1919, no further payments were made by the
Medical Department, but all vouchers were prepared and submitted to the
quartermaster disbursing officer for payment. 9 Since the medical disbursing
officer ceased to function, a total number of 70 claims for services rendered or
supplies delivered (many of these being final settlements covering a series of
transactions with the various persons or companies and requiring a complete
check of all bills rendered and paid in order to avoid duplication) were investi-
gated and vouchers prepared for submission to the quartermaster for
payment.

REFERENCES

(1) A handbook of economic agencies of the war of 1917. Monograph No. 3. Prepared in

the Historical Branch, War Plans Division, General Staff, 1919.

(2) Report on the activities of the chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., to May I, 1919, made to

the Surgeon General by the chief surgeon, A. E. P. On file, Historical Division,
S. G. O.

(3) Historical report to the secretary, general staff, G. H. Q., A. E. F., on the Medical

Department, A. E. F., to May 31, 1918, made t>3' the chief surgeon, A. E. F. Copy
on file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(4) The Medical Department, A. E. F., to November 11, 1918, compiled by Capt. E. 0.

Foster, S. C., from the chief surgeon's records, A. E. F., under the direction of the
chief surgeon, undated. On file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(5) Letter from the officer in charge, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office,

A. E. F., to the chief surgeon, A. E. F., May 12, 1919. Subject: Report for week
ending March 21, 1919. On file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(6) Letter from the chief surgeon, A. E. F., to the chief of staff, A. E. F., May 28, 1919.

Subject: War diary for week ending May 24, 1919. Copy on file, Historical Division,
S. G. O.

(7) Letter from the officer in charge, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office,

A. E. F., to the chief surgeon, A. E. F., March 24, 1919. Subject: Report for week
ending March 21, 1919. On file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(8) Letter from the officer in charge, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office

A. E. F., to the chief surgeon, A. E. F., April 14, 1919. Subject: Report for week
ending April 11, 1919. On file, Historical Division, S. G. O.

(9) Letter from the chief surgeon, American Forces in France, to the commanding general.

A. E. F., December 30, 1919. Subject: Report from July 1, to December 30, 1919,
Copy on file, Historical Division. S. G. O.

CHAPTER XLVIII

ACTIVITIES OF INTERMEDIATE MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOT NO. 2,

GIEVRES, FRANCE"

The activities of this depot began on October 10, 1017, when, as a part of
the general storage activities of the American Expeditionary Forces, a small
section of the intermediate supply depot at Gievres was assigned to the Medical
Department. In its subsequent growth, the depot operated under trying
conditions and without facilities ordinarily considered essentia] to effective
results. For many months the warehouses had no sides, and paulins, strung
from the eaves, afforded the only means of protection. The floors were of sand,
thereby preventing the use of hand trucks. There were no overhead cranes,
no loading platforms, no mechanical box stackers. An inadequate supply of
gravity rollers, a few express carts, and wheelbarrows actually represented the
only labor-saving devices that ever were available to this depot. Brute strength
was the primary factor in the handling of the supplies through every process
of unloading, transferring, stowing, and loading; nevertheless, despite vicissi-
tudes, not the least of which was inexperienced help, an organization and an
esprit de corps were developed by means of which effective results were
accomplished.

ADMINISTRATION

Personnel of the administration section comprised the officer in charge,
the executive officer, and several stenographers.

The general management, direction, and control of the depot were vested
in the administrative section. The directing head was the officer in charge.
In matters of internal administration the officer in charge was the sole arbiter
and upon him devolved the responsibility of formulating the guiding policies
of the management of the depot, the making of decisions affecting such policies,
and the exercise of broad supervisory powers over the several departments.
He was the coordinating factor between the office and warehouse, and in this
capacity he exercised an important function. Inasmuch as a large proportion
of the administrative duties were handled by the executive officer, whose func-
tion is described below, the officer in charge was left comparatively free to keep
in close touch with the operations division, and consequently was afforded an
opportunity to obtain the point of view of both the office and warehouse. This
was extremely desirable in an organization of this size, for although each divi-
sion had its own individual problems, the three were closely connected, and
such problems had to be solved in relation to the needs and demands of the
other divisions. This close association between the divisions which constituted

■ The following statements of fact are based on " Organization, Scope and Methods of Procedure of Intermediate
Medical Supply Depot No. 2, A. E. F.," undated, by Maj. Samuel Smelsey, San. Corps. On file, Historical
Division, S. O. O.

825

826

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

separate entities, and the consequent need for coordination, are discussed in
the following pages.

Another important function exercised by the officer in charge was the
amendment or alteration of requisitions and the cancelling or due listing of
items which the depot was unable to furnish. This subject is taken up at
length below under the head of "Requisition department."

Fm. 46.— Intermediate Medical Supply Depot, No. 2. Oievres; main office

The executive officer acted as assistant to the officer in charge and dis-
posed, without reference to him, of administrative problems not requiring
a change in policy or procedure. He kept the personnel informed upon
matters pertaining to changes in administrative practice and in the relationship
between the depot and the chief surgeon's office. He also handled the more
important nonroutine correspondence and such as was not referred to the
general departments within the office. In general he was in direct charge of
matters pertaining to administration, as opposed to operations, at the same
time exercising for the officer in charge a supervisory relationship over the
operations division and the detachment.

PROPERTY ACCOUNTING DIVISION
SCOPE, ACTIVITIES, AND JURISDICTION

The property accounting division embraced all the activities and functions
pertaining to property accountability or responsibility. Briefly, the w T ork of
this division involved the auditing and control of requisitions, invoices, stock
records, returns, and warehouse receipts and issue slips for medical, quarter-

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 827

master, ordnance, and engineer property for which this depot was accountable
or responsible. The property officer was in charge of this division and he had
as his assistants such noncommissioned officers or privates as were necessary
to maintain an effective supervision.

REQUISITIONS DEPARTMENT

At first, all requisitions for medical supplies were submitted by units of the
American Expeditionary Forces direct to the office of the chief surgeon, Line
of Communications. From there, if approved, they were sent, usually in
modified form, to the medical supply depots for issue. Subsequently, under
a policy of decentralization, promulgated by the chief surgeon's office, units
were directed to submit their requisitions to the surgeons of the base, inter-
mediate or advance sections, according to their location. In emergencies,
units could send their requisitions direct to the depots, in which instances,
however, the chief surgeon's office was immediately notified.

Usually requisitions for medical supplies were received at this depot in
triplicate. 6 They were submitted first to the officer in charge who subjected
them to careful scrutiny. He had authority from the chief surgeon's office to
substitute items of equivalent value or character, to "cut" the amounts
requested if the stock on hand did not warrant such issue, due listing the
balance.

The requisitions were then entered in a record known as the "Requisition
book." This book had the following headings under which appropriate entries
were made: Requisition number; date of requisition; date requisition was
received ; name and address of consignee; items (abbreviated list) ; authority for
requisition; initials of entry clerk; date completed and initials of clerk making
entry; date filed and initials of clerk making entry; voucher number of invoice.

Entries were made according to the requisition numbers, which ran
consecutively.

Reference was made to the requisition file by means of a card index which
was classified according to units, arranged alphabetically, a separate card being
used for each unit. Under the name and address of a unit, appeared the date
the requisition was received, date invoiced and date filed. If the requisition
as submitted was not legible or properly arranged, copies were made in sextu-
plicate. Four of these copies including the original were sent to the operations
division, one to the medical property department and the sixth copy was
retained. The regulating officer designated on the margin, the warehouses from
which he desired the supplies to be loaded. These were then returned to the
office were they were extracted and prepared on a form known as the "Ware-
house issue order." A tentative due list of items not in stock was prepared at
the same time, and these were not included in the issue orders. The issue
orders were prepared in quintuplicate, one copy of which was retained
in the requisitions department, one was sent to the medical property
department and three forwarded to the regulating officer. The regulating
officer sent these to the officer in charge of the tracks concerned in order of

'Such requisitions occasionally included items of quartermaster property. A detailed description of the method of
handling them may be found under the caption, "Quartermaster, Engineer, and Ordnance property department."

828 FINAXCE AXD St T PPLY

priority or as the exigency of the situation demanded. When the warehouse
officer completed the shipment or filled such items as he was able, the orders
were returned to the relating officer. If there were any items which could not
be filled, the issue order was returned to the office with a notation to that
effect/ Such items are compared with the tentative due list indicated above,
and either canceled or due listed at the discretion of the officer in charge, his
action depending largely on the possibility of receipt of such supplies in the near
future.

On such requisitions as were designated by the chief surgeon's office, that
office was notified immediately of any items which this depot was unable to fill.
The chief surgeon in turn notified this office to due list or cancel the items or
else extract the same to other depots. When not required to notify the chief
surgeon of such items and where there was but slight possibility of obtaining
the same within the near future, the consignee was notified by letter that those
items were canceled and was requested to make requisition for the same at some
future time.

When it was decided to due list certain items a list was prepared in dupli-
cate, and one copy was sent to the regulating officer and the other retained.
As new stock arrived it was applied against these due lists which were filled as
far as possible. The due list was then sent to the office, showing just what
had been shipped thereon. If not completed, a second due list was made from
the balance, or else canceled as the officer in charge might determine. This
procedure could be followed two or three times, depending upon the number of
items due listed, which in some cases, was considerable, and the probability of
completing the shipment within a reasonable time.

These steps were recorded on a form known as a " Requisition status card"
which showed the progress of the requisition and the action taken thereon.
This form, when filled out, showed the following data: Requisition number;
consignee, unit and location; date warehouse and issue order returned; first
due list (date) ; second due list, etc. (date) ; items canceled (date) ; extracted to
chief surgeon's office (date); requisition completed (date); filed (date); remarks.

The requisitions department also kept a bound record known as the
"Open requisition book." Requisitions were arranged according to the loca-
tion of the unit, and appropriate entries were made under the captions, name
of unit, requisition number, date received, date completed or closed.

The track assembly book was a record which showed by tracks the
numbers and destinations of cars loaded for shipment. The information
contained therein was based on the reports sent in by each track during the
course of the day, and was used as a basis for all reports, telegrams and other
information compiled daily. Detailed shipping reports and advices of ship-
ments were forwarded to the post regulating officer, the regulating officers of
the advance section (should the shipments be routed via a regulating office),
the chief surgeon, and the consignee. The reports to the post regulating officer
were prepared on special forms; the reports to all others concerned were
telegraphic.

' A detailed discussion of the action of the regulating department with respect to items not shipped is given below
under "Operations division."

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 829

Less than carload shipments were handled in the same manner as described
above except that shipments were made through the local railroad transporta-
tion officer who receipted for the shipment as it was delivered at the L. C. L.
warehouse. This receipt was filed with the requisition.

All papers, such as warehouse issue slips, invoices, issue orders, telegraphic
advices of shipment, tracers, and any other records or correspondence affecting
the requisition in any way, were filed by requisition in a separate filing cabinet
under the requisition number. Such data represented the course of the requisi- .
tion from the time it was received in the office to its final disposition and
showed every action taken thereon. Consequently, when any question
concerning the requisition arose after the file had been closed, the necessary
information could be obtained at a moment's notice by reference to the
requisition file.

Requisitions for blank forms were submitted on a separate requisition
form, and upon receipt were given a number of an entirely different series from
that pertaining to requisitions for medical supplies. The procedure in Oiling
such requisitions, however, was practically the same, except the original
requisition was used in lieu of a warehouse issue order, since the blank forms
were kept in one warehouse. Blank forms were not invoiced, because they
were expendable property.

MKDICAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT

Broadly speaking, the medical property department was the recording and
auditing branch of the property accounting division. Primarily, its functions
consisted in the auditing and posting of items of medical property to stock
records and returns, the accomplishment of invoices, the adjustment of stock,
and the preparation of reports on supplies and storage. The work of this
department was divided into three sections, known as the stock record section,
the return section, and the voucher section.

STOCK RECORD SECTION

The principal activity of the stock record section was to record the receipt
and issue of every item of stock, the date of such receipt or issue and the
number of the check sheet from which the postings were made. Two forms of
check sheets were used to record such receipts and issues. One was known as
the warehouse receipt slip and the other as the warehouse issue slip, of which
mention was made above. These were prepared by the checkers, as the
supplies were loaded from or into the cars, separate slips being used for each
car. The warehouse receipt slips, made out in duplicate as the cars were
unloaded, were submitted by the track officer to the receiving officer, who
scrutinized them for possible errors. If the receiving officer approved them, he
initialed and forwarded them to the regulating officer, who in turn forwarded
them to the property officer. They were then given to a clerk who checked
them against the car record and numbered each. The slips were again subjected
to a very careful examination, and any entries which were incorrect or inade-
quate either were corrected or questioned. The originals were given to the

830 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

return clerks and the duplicate copies to the stock record clerks for posting.
All questioned entries were ignored, the object being the return of such slips to
the receiving officer for correction and explanation. After the necessary
corrections had been made, and the items posted, the duplicate check sheet
was filed numerically. The original was forwarded to the finance and accounting
division of the chief surgeon's office.

The warehouse issue slips were prepared by the checkers in triplicate,,
separate slips being used for each car loaded. Each slip bore the requisition
number which the checker obtained from the issue order. The triplicate copy
was placed in the car, and the two remaining copies were forwarded to the
regulating officer who checked them against the requisition or issue orders, and
passed them on to the office. The duplicate copy was turned over to the
requisition department, the original to the invoice department. After the
check had been made in the requisition department in the manner just described,
the original and duplicate slips were forwarded to the stock record section
where again they were checked against the warehouse issue order for possible
errors of accuracy of nomenclature. Then they were distributed to the stock
clerks who made the proper postings.

In order to record in systematic fashion receipts, issues, and balance of
every item of stock on hand, a stock record was devised. A separate case was
used for every item, appropriate entries being made under the following
captions: Supply item, unit, receipts, date, warehouse receipt number, quan-
tity, issues, date, requisition number, total (balance), warehouse, and track.

Receipts were posted to the stock card from the warehouse receipt slips
and issues from the warehouse issue slips. The cards were arranged in accord-
ance with the supply table, and were divided into post and field supplies and
subdivided under each according to the class of items, such as medicines,
stationery, miscellaneous, additional articles, dental, laboratory, X ray, veteri-
nary, surgical instruments, and Red Cross supplies. The extent to which these
classes further were broken up was dependent upon the volume of receipts and
issues. Each stock clerk posted to a given number of items, whether it was in
the post or field, and postings were made only to those items for which he was
responsible. As he made his entries, the items on the slips were checked and
these slips were then passed to the next stock clerk who made the necessary
postings, and so on until every item on the check sheet had been posted. Thus,
if a warehouse receipt or issue slip, as the case might be, contained a variety of
items belonging to the several classes enumerated above, such slip passed
through the hands of a number of stock clerks. These clerks handled only the
duplicate copy of the check slip, which, after all postings had been made, were
filed consecutively by the number given it upon the arrival at the office.
The original was handled by the return clerks whose functions are described
in the succeeding pages.

Property pertaining to base hospitals, field hospitals, ambulance companies,
and other field units, held for storage, was checked in by packages instead of
by items. This was done because the bulk of such property was received in
in mixed boxes, unmarked, and none of it was available for general issue. A
separate card, however, was used for each unit.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 831

RETURN SECTION

A depot return was maintained for each item. This return was prepared
in duplicate and, in effect, was a duplication of the stock records, in that it
showed receipts, issues, and balance of every item carried in the depot; however,
it did not show the dates of receipt or issue or location of stock. This duplica-
tion had its advantages in that it afforded an additional check as to the
accuracy of the entries made. In other words the balance on the return had
to agree with the balance on the stock record. If not, the discrepancy was at
once investigated and subsequently adjusted. Postings to the return were
entered under the following captions: Supply item, receipts (debit), warehouse
receipt slip number, quantity, unit, issues (credit), requisition number, quantity,
balance. The return clerks used the original copy of the warehouse receipt
slip and posted simultaneously with the stock record clerks. The duplicate
copy of the issue slip was turned over to them after postings had been made
by the stock record clerks. The work of the return section was laid out in
practically the same way as that of the stock record section, and the return
was carried in accordance with the supply table. Each clerk was given a
definite class of items to post.

The original copy of the return was forwarded every three months to the
Surgeon General of the Army; the duplicate was retained in the files of the
office.

VOUCHER SECTION

The voucher section was responsible for the accomplishment of invoices
and bills for medical property received, the adjustment of the property return,
the preparation of reports of stock on hand and correspondence relative to the
foregoing. The accomplishment of invoices involved a careful examination of
the warehouse receipt slip in order to avoid duplicating the receipt of the same
item or items. Frequently invoices failed to show the number of the car in
which the supplies were shipped or the number of the ordre de transport
covering such shipment. This information was essential, owing to the fact
that many invoices were received for the same class of items, and ordinarily
there were no other means of identifying a particular shipment. As a result,
invoices frequently were returned for this information. If the invoice checked
with the supplies received, the date and voucher number of the invoice, the name
of the invoicing officer, shipping point, the warehouse receipt slip number
(actually, the voucher number) and date of accomplishment all were entered
on the warehouse receipt slip covering the items invoiced. This effectually
prevented receipting twice for the same supplies.

Invoices for quartermaster property taken up as medical property were
handled under the provisions of Army Regulations and existing orders.

Invoices from the purchasing officer of the Medical Department were
handled in the same fashion except that only three copies were received. Only
one was returned to him and the other two were disposed of in the manner
indicated above. The same procedure governed the accomplishment of bills
from vendors in France or England except that one copy was retained and the

832 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

balance were returned direct to the vendor. The supplies covered by these
bills later were invoiced by the officer making the purchase.

Ordinarily an expenditure voucher was prepared quarterly and submitted
to the finance and accounting division of the chief surgeon's office. Such
vouchers covered expendable items of medical property, such as office supplies,
which were used in the operation of the depot. A warehouse issue slip was
made out for every item so expended. This slip bore the initials of the execu-
tive officer indicating approval of such expenditure. The duplicate copy was
used by the stock and return clerks for the necessary postings, and the originals
were tentatively filed. At the end of the period one voucher covering the total
number of items and amounts was prepared on s the basis of these slips and
forwarded as indicated.

Nonexpendable medical supplies used by the depot, such as office furniture
and typewriters, were carried on what was known as the depot return. Such
property was dropped from the stock records and from the regular return on
certificate and taken up on depot return. This return was made to the Surgeon
General in exactly the same way as that kept for the depot stock.

Frequently an error in checking was discovered after warehouse receipt
slips had been posted. This could have been due to a variety of causes but
usually to improper markings on the container. d In such instances an agist-
ment voucher was prepared in duplicate stating the cause of the error, how
the property was taken up and how adjusted. The original copy was
forwarded to the finance, and accounting division of the chief surgeon's office
and the duplicate was filed with the return. The necessary corrections were
then made on both the stock records and on the return.

A report of the medical, Red Cross, and quartermaster supplies on hand
was prepared and submitted to the chief surgeon's office every two weeks.
This report was arranged according to the supply table, and each item was set
forth alphabetically by class. The figures for this report were obtained from
the stock records which were balanced with the return each week/ In addi-
tion, the report contained a list of items and amounts representing European
purchases received during the period.

This report also included certain statistics with respect to storage, showing
the amount of storage space authorized, available and occupied, together with
any changes which occurred during the preceding two weeks. Such figures were
based upon the cars received and shipped, allowance being made for the
difference between the size of the American and French cars. A car movement
report showing the total number of cars received, dispatched and transshipped
was also embraced by this report.

Each week a report was sent to the chief surgeon's office showing those items
of which the stock either w r as very limited or exhausted. With such information
the supplies division of the chief surgeon 's office was enabled to replenish such
items as it deemed necessary by shipment from base ports or base storage
stations. '

d A typical illustration is the following: A box marked " Oatmeal soap " was unloaded. It was removed to the
issue room and upon being opened was found to contain surgical instruments.

• Over 3,000 separate and distinct items were handled by this depot. As stated, a separate stock card and
return sheet were kept for each of these items; therefore it was necessary to strike a balance on each in order to
compile a stock report.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 833

QUARTERMASTER, ENGINEER, AND ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT

This depot handled for issue a number of items of quartermaster property.
This necessitated the maintenance of separate stock records, returns and the
invoicing of and receipting for quartermaster property as a separate function.
It proved desirable to consolidate such functions in a distinct department,
together with those relating to the handling of ordnance and engineer property,
inasmuch as the volume of work required was not large compared with that
of the medical property department, and the segregation proved effective.

Upon the receipt of a requisition, items of quartermaster property, if there
were such, were extracted and a separate warehouse issue order was prepared.
This issue order bore a special requisition number with a cross reference to the
requisition for medical property. These items were invoiced separately, and
the two receipted copies of these invoices were filed consecutively by voucher
number. Card indexes to the quartermaster requisitions were maintained.
These showed the name and location of the unit, the quartermaster requisition
number, voucher number and the me ical requisition number, thus affording
ready reference to the requisition or papers relating thereto. These cards
were filed alphabetically by units.

The same form of stock record used for recording receipts and issues of
medical property was employed for items of quartermaster property, and the
same procedure governed their use.

The return of quartermaster property was handled in the same manner as
that prescribed for medical property, except that the original copy of the
return, together with one copy of the receipt for supplies received and one copy
of the receipt for the supplies invoiced, were filed with the Quartermaster
General every six months. These receipts were vouchers to the property
return.

Invoices for quartermaster property received were checked against the
warehouse receipt slips. If the two agreed the invoice was accomplished in
the manner described above and the property return and stock record corre-
spondingly debited. If, however, there was a wide discrepancy, authority was
requested of the invoicing officer to amend the invoice accordingly. If such
authority was not granted, he was requested to furnish the necessary certificates
and affidavits setting forth the amounts shipped and the circumstances
surrounding the same. Action was taken as contemplated by Army Regulations
and existing orders. All the correspondence and papers pertaining to the
property in question were filed with the retained copies of the receipts.

Since there was no accountability for engineer property, therefor no return
was rendered; however, the officer in charge was responsible for the care and
proper usage of any engineer supplies on hand. Hardware and trackage were
practically the only engineer property handled, and this was used solely in the
several operations of the depot.

Ordnance property was handled somewhat similarly. Supplies received
from the Ordnance Department were invoiced and receipted for, but across the
face of the invoice, two copies of which were returned to the invoicing officer,
30663—28 53

834 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

was written " Final return rendered. No accountability under G. O. No. 44 c. s.,
G. H. Q., A. E. F." The commanding officer was responsible for the property
receipted for.

Quartermaster, engineer and ordnance supplies used by the depot or the
detachment also came under the jurisdiction of this department. It was
responsible for the procurement, use and custody of such property.

INVOICE DEPARTMENT

To insure greater accuracy, not only in invoicing but also in shipping, the
invoices for medical property were prepared in a separate department acting
independently of the voucher section just described. As previously mentioned,
the original copy of the warehouse issue slip was turned over to the invoice
department where it was carefully checked against the original requisition and
the issue order. By this means, an additional check was obtained with respect
to the items shipped and any discrepancies were quickly brought to light.
Upon agreement between the warehouse issue slip and the issue order, the
invoice was prepared in triplicate. This invoice showed the requisition number,
voucher number, date shipped, the car numbers, and O. D. T. numbers covering
shipment, and the authority under which same was made. It was supple-
mented by a notation as to whether or not the invoice was only a part of, or
completed, the requisition. In case the invoice covered but a portion of the
requisition, the same requisition number was used on succeeding invoices, but
different voucher numbers were given to each. It occasionally happened that
one invoice covered shipments applying to two or more requisitions, but ordi-
narily, this occurred only in those instances where a number of due lists were
filled for the same unit.

The original copy of the invoice was forwarded to the finance and account-
ing division of the chief surgeon's office, the duplicate to the consignee, and
the triplicate copy was filed with the requisition. The supplies were invoiced
the day following the shipment, whether the requisition was completed or not.
Thus the consignee had his copy of the invoice to use as a check against the
supplies before the latter were received. Accomplishment was effected by
acknowledging receipt across the face of the invoice which was then forwarded
to the finance and accounting division of the chief surgeon's office. In case
the items received did not check with the invoice, the consignee could request
authority of the depot to amend his invoice accordingly. Such authority was
was granted where investigation disclosed that the discrepancy was due to error
in checking or computing. Under such conditions authority was granted in
form of a letter, the original of which was forwarded to the finance and account-
ing division of the chief surgeon's office and the duplicate to the consignee. The
former was accompanied by an adjustment voucher bearing the following infor-
mation : Requision number, voucher number, consignee (name and location of
unit), item, amount invoiced, to read (showing proper items and correct
amount).

The retained copy of this letter and a copy of the adjustment voucher were
given to the medical property department where appropriate debit and credit

MEDICAL, SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 835

entries were made on the stock records and the property return. These papers
were then fded with the return together with any correspondence on the subject.
If, on the other hand, in the opinion of the officer in charge the discrepancy
occurred through no error or negligence of this depot, authority to change the
invoice was not granted the consignee. The latter 's recourse, in such a case,
was defined by Army Regulations and existing orders.

CAR RECORD DEPARTMENT

Broadly speaking, the work of the car record department involved the
maintenance and check of records of all incoming and outgoing cars, the accom-
plishment of ordre de transport and the tracing of cars. The depot was notified
of incoming cars by telegraphic advices. These were followed by the yellow
portion of the O. D. T. forwarded by the consignor and the red portion of the
O. D. T. turned in by the local rail transport officer. The telegraphic advices,
which were sent the day the car was dispatched, obviously preceded the arrival
of the cars. This enabled the depot to determine at any time the number of
cars en route and to plan its work accordingly.

The telegraphic advices always included the number of the O. D. T.
covering the shipment. This information was placed in a permanent record
known as the ordre de transport book and entries were made under the follow-
ing captions: Date shipped, serial number (yellow portion), serial number (red
portion), car initials, car number, contents, shipping point, date car received,
remarks.

The date that the car was received was obtained from the receiving book,
described below. If after reasonable time the cars had not arrived, a list of
such cars was prepared and the necessary tracers were sent.

For each car received and unloaded a separate warehouse receipt slip was
prepared in duplicate by the checker. The detailed procedure in this connec-
tion has already been described. When this slip was turned in at the office, it
was passed first to the desk of the receiving clerk, who gave it a number 7 and
then entered the information in the record known as the receiving book.
Appropriate entries were made under the following headings: Date received,
car initials, car numbers, shipping point, contents, checker, warehouse receipt
slip number, warehouse.

These receipt slips were also checked against an informal record of cars
received, prepared by the receiving clerk who made the rounds of the tracks
twice daily. Such a record was important in that it constituted an independent
check of incoming cars and enabled the receiving clerk to determine whether
or not all the warehouse receipt slips for the cars received had been turned in
at the office.

The ordre de transport was accomplished by acknowledgement thereon of
receipt of the cars covered. The red portion was returned to the local R. T. O.,
who forwarded it to the French railway officials, and the yellow portion was
sent direct to the office of the chief quartermaster, A. E. F.

'This number followed each item contained in that particular car, through every process and record. It was entered
on the stock records, medical return, quartermaster return and stock cards (if quartermaster property), on invoices
covering the shipment. Obviously this was of much assistance in tracing or identifying shipments.'

836 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Cars overdue were traced by means of a form letter sent to the local car
tracing office and to the car record office at headquarters, Services of Supply.

A record of outbound cars was kept in a record known as the ship-
ping book. The information was recorded under the following headings:
Date shipped, requisition number, car number, consignee, destination, con-
tents, authority for shipment, O. D. T. number, warehouse issue-slip number,
warehouse.

This information was compiled from the warehouse issue slip whose func-
tion has been explained above. The O. D. T. number was supplied by the
local ordre de transport office where was prepared the ordre de transport, from
information submitted by the office on a special daily report of shipments.

To facilitate reference to cars received or shipped, a record known as the
car record book was devised. The last two numbers of the cars received and
shipped were used as the basis of the index. The numbers were entered
consecutively, together with the date received or shipped. On the left-hand
side of the sheet appeared the numbers of the cars received and on the right-
hand side, the numbers of the cars shipped. The book was so indexed and
arranged that it was extremely simple to locate the number of the car.
Once determined, by means of this book, that a car had been received or
shipped, additional information could quickly be obtained by reference to the
receiving book or shipping book, or to the warehouse slip itself.

FILING AND RECORD DEPARTMENT

Upon this department devolved the responsibility of handling all corre-
spondence, records and papers not pertaining directly to requisitions and
personnel. As indicated above, all papers relating to a requisition were filed
with the requisition; papers pertaining to personnel were filed in the detach-
ment office. Correspondence was filed under the Dewey decimal system in
accordance with the arrangement devised by the War Department. A suitable
cross reference system was maintained by means of appropriate card indexes.

OPERATIONS DIVISION

LAYOUT OF WAREHOUSES

The warehouses of this depot were located on a series of parallel tracks
reserved for the exclusive service of the Medical Department. On each track
were constructed three warehouses, placed end to end, with sufficient spaces
between to act as firebreaks. The tracks were of such a distance apart as to
afford a storage field approximately 100 feet wide in front of each ware-
house. The standard warehouse was of brick or steel construction, and
measured 500 feet in length by 50 feet in depth, the height at the eaves being
14 feet. Floors were of sand, and there were no unloading platforms. Com-
munication between the various warehouses was maintained over a system of
dirt roads, supplemented by a narrow-gauge track which carried small push cars.'

• There were in operation eight complete warehouse groups, together with issue rooms, an L. C. L. warehouse, and a
group of segregated storage sheds for alcohol and other highly inflammable articles. This atlorded a total warehouse
floor space of 400,000 square feet and an available warehouse capacity of approximately 3,250,000 cubic feet.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FOISCES

837

This layout naturally divided the depot into a series of warehouse groups
of three buildings, and upon this condition as a hasis a group system of ware-
housing was developed. Each track was known as a warehouse group, and
was apportioned certain classes of supplies which it handled exclusively. Each
warehouse group had its own executive organization, and operated as an
independent unit in all matters which did not affect other groups; in the latter
instance, however, operations were directed by a central regulating department,
the work of which is described below.

Fig. 47.— Intermediate Medical Supply Depot, No. 2, showing railroad tracks

GENERAL PLAN OF ORGANIZATION

The officer in charge of warehouses who supervised the operations division,
was directly responsible to the officer in charge of the depot in all matters
pertaining to the physical operations of the plant. The officer in charge (if
warehouses had to arrange the depot stock with regard to facility in handling
as well as protection against fire, utilize to the best advantage the labor and
facilities afforded him, and, above all, see that requisitions were filled and
shipped without delay or mistakes. His primary duty was to coordinate the
various departments of his organization. In matters requiring special
technical knowledge, the officer of warehouses was instructed by a member of
the advisory group.

838

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Although, as noted above, the group system of warehousing was employed,
general operations were governed by functional divisions. To accomplish such
control there were maintained three departments, the receiving department,
the warehousing department, and the regulating department, each of which
functioned for the entire depot, and which were coordinated by the officer in
charge of warehouses. Each of these departments had a clearly defined
jurisdiction, and the various jurisdictions could not overlap.

Actual warehousing operations were in charge of five operating sections
known as the warehouse group section, the sorting section, the field unit section,
the issue section, and the L. C. L. section.

Fig. 48.— Intermediate Medical Supply Depot, No. 2, showing Decauville track and turntable, as used in all warehouses

RECEIVING DEPARTMENT

The receiving department was concerned solely with the proper checking
of all incoming supplies, and was under the charge of the receiving officer.

The receiving officer was notified of all telegraphic and letter advices of
shipments en route to the depot. He kept a file of all cars requiring special
attention upon receipt, and issued necessary instructions when such cars
arrived. He examined the work of the checkers, and had general supervision
of all rechecks and adjustments in receipts.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 839

CHECKING AND CHECKING PROBLEMS

As cars were unloaded, their contents were recorded by checkers on the
standard warehouse receipt slip. Each warehouse receipt slip bore, in addition
to the items checked, the car number, consignor, and any information which
could aid in accomplishing invoices. Supplies from the United States usually
bore the case numbers of the depot or origin, which numbers were recorded.
However, a large proportion of goods received from English and European
sources had practically no marks of identity. In such instances checkers were
instructed to record purchase order numbers, date of shipment, ports of
embarkation and debarkation, and, where available, the manufacturer's name.
The receiving officer was responsible for the information as entered on these
warehouse receipt slips, and he examined them carefully before they became
a part of the depot records.

Very often boxes showed no identifying mark, making it impossible for the
checker to record their contents at the time of unloading. In such an event,
the box was checked " contents unknown," placed to one side, and marked
with a large circle and car number noted, signifying that it had not been
checked. These boxes were collected under the supervision, of the receiving
officer, sent to issue room, opened, their contents checked and marked on the
boxes, and a cross made in the circle, denoting that the box had been checked.
This system aided the checker greatly, and proved to be a simple solution of
an aggravating problem.

In addition to the regular stock there always was arriving a large amount
of property belonging to the base hospitals, field hospitals, ambulance
companies, evacuation hospitals, or simular units. Such property being
packed for the most part in mixed or unmarked boxes, it could be checked by
unit and box number only. If a packer's list was available, such a check was
sufficient; if not, much work was entailed in opening the various cases and
checking the unit item by item. The receiving officer kept informed as to
whether such property was to be sent to a particular unit, held in stock as a
complete unit, or unpacked and taken into the depot stock item by item. He
also supervised the actual checking of this class of property.

THE WAREHOUSING DEPARTMENT

The warehousing department, directed by the warehouse supervisor, was
concerned with those problems that were related to the actual storage of supplies
and the employment of labor.

The warehouse supervisor kept the officer in charge of warehouses carefully
informed as to available and occupied storage space, the location of supplies,
and the condition of the various warehouses from a point of view of storage
efficiency. He directed the manner of loading and unloading cars, determined
the methods of stowing the various classes of supplies, and advised the ware-
housemen as to their layout. He also supervised the manner in which labor
was employed, conferring with the regulating officer in regard to labor requisi-
tions and the movement of labor details as the day's work progressed.

840

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

SECTION OF FIRE PREVENTION

The section of fire prevention was under the control of the warehousing
department. This section was responsible for all matters pertaining to the pre-
vention of fire and the checking of conflagrations. Inspectors made daily tours
of the depot, notifying all concerned of any infringements of fire regulations,
supervising corrective measures where found necessary, inspecting all fire fight-
ing apparatus, and keeping the depot organization informed regarding all
matters pertaining to this section. These inspectors worked in conjunction
with the'inspectors of the post fire department. For fire fighting, a permanent

Fig. 49— Intermediate Medical Supply Depot, No. 2, showing interior of a warehouse

organization was maintained, headed by the assistant fire marshal, who was
one of the depot officers. Each motor engine was manned by a company of
selected men commanded by a noncommissioned officer. Fire wells to supply
the engines were located at strategic points and a system of bell alarms extended
over the entire depot. A force of orderlies was immediately available in case
of fire, and necessary telephonic communication was automatically established
as soon as an alarm was given. The officer in charge of warehouses directed
any salvage work that became necessary in the emergency. Fire drills were
held frequently to familiarize every man with his duties.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES S4 1

Repair and carpentry work was handled by a squad of machinists and
carpenters under the direction of a noncommissioned officer.

The depot guard was furnished by line troops and property could not be
removed from warehouses without proper written authority.

THE DEPOT TRANSPORTATION SECTION

The depot transportation section, in charge of a noncommissioned oflicer,
was responsible for the care and use of all motor trucks or horse-drawn vehicles
assigned to the depot. Warehouse groups desiring transportation facilities
made requisition upon this transportation section for such trucks and teams
as were necessary, stating the approximate length of time these were to be
used. A standard transportation requisition was employed. Each truck or
or team was checked out and in at the transportation department on (lie truck
register. This department also handled forage and bedding for the horses as
well as gas and oil for the motors, and was responsible for the police of st allies
and garages, care of the horses, and the upkeep and repair of trucks and
wagons. The light delivery truck proved a marked success in interwarehouse
transportation, and the army escort wagon was almost indespensable. The
light soil and abundant rains of central France limited the use of heavy trucks
to such hauls as could be made over rock roads. Light delivery facilities were
permanently assigned to the depot, while heavier trucks were requisitioned as
as needed on the post transportation pool which was handled by the Motor
Transport Corps.

REGULATING DEPARTMENT

The regulating department, headed by the regulating officer, was the control
board for the whole operations division, and its functions were executive rather
than advisory. Briefly, the regulating department planned and brought to
accomplishment each day's work.

To facilitate such control, the regulating office was located centrally among
the warehouses, and was connected with all parts of the depot by telephone
and a system of orderlies. It was imperative that this communicating system
be thorough and efficient; moreover, the whole operations division had to keep
this department fully informed regarding depot conditions.

The regulating officer was responsible for the prompt and accurate filling
of all requisitions and for a coordination of facilities that make possible a
smooth-running and efficient organization. To attain this end, the regulating
officer had to know exactly what was going on in every section of the depot.
He had to know the status of each requisition and due list. And finally he
constantly had to keep himself and his department in such a position as to be
able to change the layout of work at a moment's notice and without causing
confusion or delay.

There were two sections of the regulating department, the requisition
section, which handled all requisitions, issue orders, files, and stock records,
and the labor and railway transportation section which handled all matters
pertaining to labor distribution, empty car orders, requests for switching,
reports from the warehouse groups, together with all reports, records, and files

842 FINANCE AXD SUPPLY

pertaining to car movements. Each section was under the close supervision
of the regulating officer, who personally directed much of the detail of the
departmental work.

The detail of the regulating department can best be presented by tracing a
requisition through the various steps to its completion. The original requisi-
tion came from the main office directly to the hands of the regulating officer.
Under his direction each item was marked with respect to the warehouse group
or issue room from which it was to be shipped. By reference to these marks
the office clerks extracted the requisition, making out an issue order for each
warehouse group and issue room from which items were to be shipped. These
issue orders then went to the regulating officer in triplicate.

Having a number of requisitions before him in the form of issue orders,
the regulating officer first decided upon their priorities, both from the point of
view of the urgency of the requisitions and of those local considerations which
had a bearing upon the process of filling them. He made his decisions and
laid out the next day's work each afternoon. He then turned to the labor
and transportation section and informed the noncommissioned officer in charge
regarding the labor details and cars required to accomplish the day's work as
he had planned it. As the personnel of the depot was sufficient to supply men
for directive and specialized positions only, the labor details were elastic, and
were furnished day by day by the executive organization of the post. Thus
the amount of work to be done determined the size of the labor details which
were ordered each evening by telephone.

Empty cars for loading were distributed by the post regulating officer, who
was in close touch with the needs of the units at the front and transportation
conditions. Empty cars were requisitioned in duplicate upon a standard form,
one copy going to the post regulating officer and the other to the local railroad
yardmaster. On the basis of these car orders the post regulating officer
distributed the empty cars available, and the local yardmasters placed them
where ordered. In case a shortage of empty cars existed, requisitions were
filled in the order of their priority, this being determined by a consideration of
supply and transportation conditions throughout the theater of operations.
The requisition for empty cars showed the exact position in which the cars were
to be spotted, the proposed destinations, the nature of supplies to be loaded, and
the priority as determined by the depot regulating officer.

At this point it will be well to describe the method of handling inbound
shipments. Solid trains of materials arrived at Gievres and were turned over
to the local railroad transportation officer for classification. For this purpose
huge classification yards had been constructed. Here all the medical loads
were placed on a certain series of tracks. At all hours of the day and night car
spotters, carefully instructed by the depot regulating officer, examined the cars
containing medical property and classified them as to contents and the proper
location for spotting. This classification was recorded on the spotter's car
sheet which showed the car initial and number, its contents, and the warehouse
at which it was to be spotted. This form was made in duplicate, one copy
going to the regulating officer and the other to the local yardmaster.
Each car was chalked on both sides with the number of the warehouse at

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 843

which it was to be spotted, this being done for the information of the train
crew. The spotter usually could learn the contents of the car from the
car paster, but often he had to open the door and make a rapid survey of the
contents for himself. Trains were spotted from this classification yard once
during the night and usually twice during the day. The spotter's car list
preceded the cars to the depot, however, and the regulating officer thus was
able to plan for the unloading an hour or two in advance. The receiving
officer also examined these car sheets and noted the arrival of any cars
requiring his special attention.

Early each morning the regulating officer was informed of inbound loads
arriving during the night, in order that he could distribute labor details to the
best advantage. At the opening of the day's work, each warehouse group
sent to the labor and railroad transportation section of the regulating depart-
ment a track report showing the empty cars, inbound loads, and misplaced
loads at each warehouse. These morning track reports were consolidated, and
the morning report for the entire depot was obtained. From this information the
regulating officer could determine whether or not it would be necessary to change
the layout of work as planned the night before. The depot morning report
was submitted as soon as possible to the post regulating officer for his informa-
tion. The accurate preparation and prompt submission of these morning track
reports was essential for the regulating department to adjust the machinery
of the depot to take care of the requirements of the various warehouse groups
and any error in stating these requirements was likely to affect the whole depot.

Knowing how many cars were available or were to be available for loading
during the day, the regulating officer was in a position to send out issue orders
in a quantity sufficient to utilize every car. No issue order was sent to a
warehouse group for loading until the regulating officer was certain that suffi-
cient cars were available to handle it. This prevented an accumulation of
issue orders in the warehouses and enabled the regulating department to know
exactly what requisitions were to be filled or partly filled during the progress
of the day's work.

The original issue order was stamped with authority to issue and went
to the officer in charge of the proper warehouse group or issue room. Any
special instructions regarding the loading of the requisition were attached to
the issue order in the form of a memorandum from the regulating officer, and
the various warehouse groups and issue rooms began at once the work of issu-
ing supplies and loading them for shipment. When supplies were issued from
the warehouse group or issue room a checker prepared a standard warehouse
issue slip. This issue slip showed the requisition number, consignee, destina-
tion, car number and the approximate weight of the load, and was a list of the
number of boxes and total quantity loaded of each item.

There were three methods of shipping requisitions. The first method was
employed when each warehouse group concerned with a requisition issued a
sufficient quantity of supplies to fill one or more cars. This was the simplest
case, and presented no special problem. As soon as the car was ready for
shipment the warehouse issue slip was examined by the officer in charge of the
issuing group and was sent to the regulating department.

844 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Thp second method was employed when several warehouse groups issued
supplies in quantities that individually were insufficient to fill a car, hut which
in total amounted to one or more carloads. In such a situation there were
two alternatives: A car could he switched from track to track for piecemeal
loading, or the load could be collected by the depot transportation department
and assembled at a designated track for loading. The regulating officer deter-
mined which method was to he used, basing his judgment on the considerations
of labor and transportation involved. Often, for example, a track was so con-
gested that a switching of cars would upset the work of the entire warehouse
group, thus making the assembly system preferable.

If a car was to be partially loaded and switched to another track for
completion, the regulating officer attached to the various issue orders a mem-
orandum stating the order of switching to be followed. Each warehouse group
notified the railroad transportation section as soon as the car was ready for
switching and sent to the warehouse group which was to finish the loading a
warehouse issue slip showing the supplies already loaded. The issue slip thus
served as an advance notice of the car number. Items loaded after a switch
had been made were entered on this same warehouse issue slip, thus avoiding
the resultant confusion if each warehouse group had sent to the regulating
officer separate issue slips.

If, on the other hand, a requisition was to be assembled at a certain

warehouse group, each issue order was marked "Assemble at track,

warehouse " while the issue order to a warehouse group at which the

assembly was to be made showed from which warehouse groups and issue
rooms supplies were to be received for loading. The warehouse issue slips were
sent to the warehouse group at which the loading was to take place and there
served as a check when supplies were actually loaded. The checker who
loaded the car pinned these various issue slips together and sent them to the
regulating department in the usual manner. This procedure kept all the issue
slips for the car together, but gave the regulating department a check on the
work of each warehouse group concerned with the requisition. The car
number, and the approximate weight of the load was to be entered on each
issue slip by the checker who loaded the car.

The third method of shipment was employed when a requisition was of
such a size as to demand less than the shipping space afforded by one car.
Such shipments were known as L. C. L." shipments. These shipments were
handled by a specialized department, one warehouse being designated the
L. C. L. warehouse. Issue orders for these small requisitions bore the letters
"L. C. L." in bold type, and were handled by warehouse groups exactly as were
the requisitions which were assembled for loading at a particular warehouse
group, except that each package, before delivery to the L. C. L. department
was to be stenciled with the consignee's name and address and the requisition
number.

Every shipment of two or more cars and many single-car shipments leaving
the depot were convoyed to destination. This practice grew out of unnecessary
delays to which cars ordinarily were subjected. Experience proved that under

h Less-than-carload lots. — Ed.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIOXABY FORCES 845

convoy the chances of getting to final destination the entire shipment of cars
within a reasonable time were infinitely greater than when left entirely to rail-
road officials. One convoy usually was placed in charge of not more than six
cars. If a larger number was shipped to a single point, additional convoys
were furnished. Cars destined to the advance section usually were made up
in solid trains bound for adjacent points and were routed via a regulating
station. Such trains were handled by the post regulating officer who furnished
the necessary convoyers.

Each convoy was furnished with a list of the cars showing car numbers
and contents. The consignee acknowledged on this list receipt of such cars us
were delivered. Upon his return the convoy gave this list to the property
officer and it was filed with the requisition. Should any cars fail to roach their
destination tracers were at once instituted and every effort was made to
expedite delivery.

When an issue order was sent out from the regulating office the duplicate
went to the requisition section, where it was placed in a current file, and the
triplicate went to the warehouse stock balance clerk, who deducted each item
from the warehouse stock balance. The labor and railway transportation
section kept in close touch with car movements and the entire regulating
department directed all its energies toward keeping the day's work up to the
schedule as planned by the regulating officer.

As soon as the car was loaded or unloaded, or a less than carload lot shipment
was ready, the warehouse receipt or issue slips were sent to the regulating office.
Here they were received by the car movements clerk, who entered them in a
register and recorded any changes of status on the track board. This board
showed for each warehouse the following information: Inbound loads due
(entered from the spotter's car sheet) ; loaded cars spotted (entered from the
track reports) ; outbound loads ready (entered from the warehouse issue slips) ;
empty cars (entered from track reports and warehouse issue and receipt
slips); assigned labor details (entered from verbal report of the noncommis-
sioned officer in charge of labor distribution). There was then in the regulating
office a graphic representation of the exact transportation conditions at each
warehouse in the depot.

As soon as the warehouse receipt slips had been registered and transporta-
tion changes recorded on the track board they were sent to the receiving
officer, who examined, corrected, and initialed them. They were then turned
over to the warehouse stock balance clerk for entry, after which they were sent
to the main office. Warehouse issue slips passed from the car movements clerk
to the requisition section, where they were checked against duplicate copies of
the issue orders, item by item, thus keeping the file of issue orders always
accurate. Any mistakes in filling requisitions were brought to the attention of
the regulating officer and proper adjustments were made. The warehouse issue
slips then went to the main office. The requisition section thus knew the exact
status of every item on a requisition and could check up discrepancies before
a shipment had left the depot. This prompt check on requisitions was one of
the most valuable phases of the work of the regulating department and required
the attention of an alert and accurate clerical force.

846 FINAXCE AND SUPPLY

As the items on a requisition were filled the various warehouse groups
checked them on the issue orders. As soon as a particular issue order was
completed it was sent to the requisition section of the regulating department,
where it was checked against the retained copy of the issue order and then sent
to the main office. This afforded within the operations division a double check
on every requisition.

As the regulating department marked an original requisition for extraction
there were noted certain items which could be furnished from the stock of the
depot. These items were marked by drawing a circle around the amount
requisitioned and were extracted as the proposed due list. After examination by
the regulating officer this list was turned over to the balance due clerk. The
warehouse stock balance showed the amount of each item available for issue
and from it the regulating officer and the balance due clerk kept themselves
informed as to depot shortages. During the progress of a requisition the
balance due clerk watched the proposed due list and deducted from it any
items which arrived at the depot before the requisition was completed. Such
items had to be included on the issue orders of the various warehouse groups.
To facilitate this part of the work of the regulating department the warehouse
stock balance clerk kept a stock shortage board which consisted of a list of all
stock items pasted on a wall board. Opposite each item not in stock was
placed a peg. A glance at this board showed all depot shortages and a con-
stant reference to the warehouse stock balance was avoided. When a requisi-
tion had been completed the proposed due list automatically became the
requisition shortage list and went to the main office where a formal due list
was prepared. After approval by the officer in charge this formal due list was
returned to the balance due clerk who filed it by the organization making
requisition and cross indexed it by item on the items due record. Due lists
were filled on the order of the regulating officer who was kept informed
regarding the due-list file by the balance due clerk.

The foregoing survey gives an idea of the complexity of the duties of the
regulating department. However, this routine was a relatively unimportant
part of the work of the regulating officer, for his principal function was to make
adjustments, straighten out tangles, and keep the whole operating machine in
harmony. For this the regulating officer was responsible to the officer in charge
of warehouses. Each evening he submitted to the officer in charge of ware-
houses a progressive report of car movements, hour by hour, during the day.
This report showed briefby and clearly the work accomplished by the depot
and after examination l>3 r the officer in charge of warehouses it was sent to the
post regulating officer.

THE WAREHOUSE GROUP SECTION"

Each warehouse group was in charge of a commissioned officer who was
entirely responsible for the management of that group. His assistant was a
noncommissioned officer with general supervision, and there was a noncommis-
sioned officer in charge of each warehouse. In addition there was a track clerk,
who handled all the clerical work of the group. Each warehouse had a
permanent force of warehousemen and special laborers. Each group had

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 847

a squad of experienced checkers. The administration of the warehouse group
was in the hands of the warehouse officer and he was responsible to the receiv-
ing department, the warehousing department, and the regulating department
for those activities with which they were respectively concerned. He inspected
inbound cars, directed the order, place, and method of unloading, and inspected
the warehouse receipt slips before they left the warehouse group. He directed
the stacking of all supplies received and took necessary measures for their
protection. Since a large amount of supplies were stored in the open, or
covered with paulins only, the warehouse officer decided, with the aid of the
supervisor of warehouses, just what articles could safely be stowed in this man-
ner. As there were no floors in the warehouses, he had to see that sufficient
dunnage, in the form of logs or slabs, was placed on the ground to preserve
property from mold and dampness. He had to take all possible steps to min-
imize fire hazards. He had to utilize to the best advantage the labor assigned
him. He was responsible for the prompt transfer to their proper location of
supplies not carried in his stock. He supervised the filling of requisitions and
examined all warehouse issue slips prepared by his checkers. The noncom-
missioned officer assisting the warehouse officer was responsible to him for the
performance of whatever duties he was assigned. The noncommissioned
officer in charge of each warehouse was responsible to the warehouse officer
for all matters pertaining to the operation of his warehouse as a unit. On him
rested the final responsibility for the proper storage, protection aud handling
of supplies, the filling of requisitions, and the efficiency of labor.

The checkers were assigned to cars by the warehouse officer through his
assistant and were responsible to him directly. Being assigned to a certain
car the checker's sole responsibility was to prepare through the use of the
warehouse receipt and issue slips an accurate list of the items loaded or un-
loaded, record all shipping information concerning the car, and turn these
warehouse issue and receipt slips over to the track clerk promptly upon the
completion of loading or unloading.

The track clerk compared all reports submitted by the warehouse group;
received, recorded, and sent to the regulating office all warehouse receipt and
issue slips; acted as telephone orderly at the office of the warehouse group;
prepared car pasters for each car loaded on his track; aided the warehouse
officer in the issuing of orders and instructions and the obtaining of informa-
tion. All papers, orders, and instructions coming to the warehouse group were
received by the track clerk, and distributed in accordance with the orders of
the warehouse officer.

The procedure within the warehouse group can best be shown by outlining
a day's work there. At the beginning of the day the assistant to the warehouse
officer inspected all cars on his track. The information which he obtained was
entered on the morning track report by the track clerk, and this report, having
been signed by the warehouse officer, was sent to the regulating department.
Labor details were distributed as ordered by the warehouse officer, checkers
were assigned to cars to be unloaded, and unloading instructions issued to the
various warehouses. The work of unloading began at once. Soon, issue orders

g48 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

for the day's work arrived and wore distributed by the warehouse officer,
labor details redistributed if necessary, and checkers assigned to empty cars to
be loaded. The work of loading then began. As a ear was loaded, the
checker prepared a warehouse issue slip in triplicate. As soon as the loading
was finished the checker placed the triplicate copy in the car, closed the door,
and sent the original and duplicate of the issue slip to the track clerk. The track
clerk recorded the car number, consignee, contents, and approximate weight in
the track register, and after obtaining the signature of the warehouse officer,
sent the issue slip to the regulating department. He then prepared two car
pasters which were turned over to the car sealer, who pasted one on each side
of the car. This car sealer then securely fastened and sealed all car doors and
windows, removed all old markings and pasters, and chalked on each side of
the car the destination. The warehouse officer then inspected the car and
pronounced it ready for shipment. Loaded cars were " pulled " from the tracks
during the night only, unless congestion demanded a clearing of the tracks
during the day.

Each item of supply was given a definite warehouse group location, and
each warehouse group had a list of items which it was authorized to store.
Inbound loads were spotted with reference to this distribution list, but it
frequently occurred that a certain car contained items belonging to two or more
warehouse groups. Badly mixed cars were handled by the sorting section, but
it frequently had to be decided whether a car should be switched from ware-
house group to warehouse group, unloading supplies at the proper location only,
or, on the other hand, the entire car be unloaded where it was spotted and the
foreign items distributed to their proper locations by other means. This
decision was made by the warehouse officer but it was subject to the revision
of the regulating officer. In case such car was to be switched, the warehouse
receipt slip for those items already unloaded, was sent to the warehouse group
at which the unloading was to be continued. Here it acted as an advice of
shipment and was used for the checking of the remainder of the car. This
procedure prevented any misunderstanding on the part of the regulating
department as no receipt slips arrived at the regulating office until the car was
entirely unloaded. Supplies which, for the sake of saving in time of transpor-
tation, had been unloaded in the wrong warehouse, were distributed to their
proper locations by truck, wagon or by the interwarehouse track system. The
prompt clearance of such items was a mark of good warehousing, and was of
the utmost importance to all concerned.

The warehouse group had to keep the regulating department accurately
informed as to all car movements occurring during the day. To this end the
track clerk sent to the railroad transportation section immediate telephonic
advice of all cars arriving at or leaving the warehouse group, and in addition
made a written track report four times each day. The morning track report
has already been described. As much as possible of the switching of cars was
done during the noon hour, hence a track report was made at 11 a. m. and
another at 2 p. m. The 11 o'clock report included all requests for switching,
and the 2 o'clock report showed how many of these switches had been made.
The fourth track report was submitted at 5 p. m. and showed the proposed

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 849

condition of the track at the close of the day's work. It was made direct to
the officer in charge of warehouses, who determined what shipments required
convoys and notified the main office to make necessary arrangements for the
procurement and instruction of the convoys. The report of cars loaded then
was sent to the main office for the information of the car record department.

Before 4.30 p. m. each day, each warehouse group submitted a daily
report of cars loaded. This report showed the car numbers, consignee, and
destinations of all cars loaded during the day or to he loaded before the close
of work.

In addition to these formal reports, the warehouse officer kept the receiv-
ing;, warehousing, and regulating departments constantly informed concerning
those matters which fell under their respective jurisdictions.

THE SORTING SECTION

The sorting section, in charge of a commissioned officer, handled all badly
mixed, inbound cars. The sorting warehouse was centrally located and was
connected with all warehouse groups by wagon roads and narrow-guage track.
Here cars were unloaded, and checked in the usual manner. A section of the
warehouse was assigned as an assembly point for supplies belonging to each
warehouse group, sorting thus being carried on according to distribution of
items through the depot. The efficiency of the sorting section depended upon
the rapidity with which these segregated piles of supplies were transferred to
their proper locations. The officer in charge of the sorting section was
responsible to the three functional departments in the same manner as were
the officers in charge of the various warehouse groups; however, his work was
checked carefully by the supervisor of warehouses. Due to the large number
of mixed cars that arrived from the bases, the sorting section performed a very
necessary function in the operation of the depot.

THE FIELD UNIT SECTION

The field unit section, in charge of a commissioned officer, handled all
matters pertaining to field hospitals, evacuation hospitals, ambulance companies,
regimental infirmaries, camp infirmaries, camp infirmary reserves, combat
equipments and related units. Under the supervision of the receiving officer
the officer in charge checked these units as they arrived, and either completed
them or broke them up for depot stock. Field units were stored and handled
under the direction of supervisor of warehouses and issued in accordance with
instructions of the regulating department. Several complete units were kept
constantly in stock for issue on emergency requisitions.

THE ISSUE SECTION

On practically all requisitions there were many items which had to be

shipped in less than case lots. To meet this situation effectively, a series of

issue rooms was established where a stock of each supply item was kept in such

a manner as to facilitate issue in small lots. One issue room handled the reg-

30663— 2S 54

850 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

ular medical and surgical stock; a second, X-ray property; a third, labora-
tory equipment and supplies; a fourth, veterinary articles; a fifth, dental sup-
plies; a sixth, kitchen and dining room equipment; and a seventh, blank forms
and medical books. This specialization of issue rooms, made possible a large
daily output and secured efficiency of issuing and packing from a technical
point of view.

The medical and surgical issue room occupied a building 400 by 50 feet.
At one end of the room, and occupying approximately one-half the floor space,
a maximum and minimum stock of each item in the medical and surgical group
of supplies was maintained. This stock was arranged alphabetically according
to the supply table. This portion of the issue room was in charge of a non-
commissioned officer, who was responsible for keeping up the required stock
at all times, provided the supplies were in the depot. To do this, he made
requisitions on the various groups and arranged for depot transportation to
transfer such supplies to his issue room.

At the other end of the issue room were the shelves, arranged in rows
which extended across the building. Between these shelves and one of the
side walls was a trucking aisle, and on the opposite side was a narrow aisle
serving the layout tables, which extended in a single row down the room at
right angles to the shelves. Between the layout tables and the front wall was
a wide space used as a packing floor and trucking aisle. This packing floor
was provided with all necessary packing materials, empty boxes being stacked
just outside the warehouse.

The shelves were 30 inches deep and were placed 12 inches apart, being
built in rows. Each row was divided into six 4-foot sections, and each section
consisted of six superimposed shelves. Items were arranged in accordance
with the supply table except for bulky articles which were placed on the top
shelves or in bins under the layout table. The bottom shelves were reserved
for surplus stocks and usually were unoccupied.

The shelves were kept full by a squad of stock clerks who drew upon the
feeder supply at the other end of the room. The shelf stock had to be
kept complete, and to facilitate their work the stock clerks were permitted to
take supplies from the feeder stock without written requisition. The shelves
were stocked from each alternate aisle, and the rear trucking aisle was reserved
for the exclusive use of the stock clerks. This arrangement prohibited any inter-
ference between the issue clerks and the stock clerks, as the issue clerks filled
their orders from those aisles not used by the stock clerks. Thus the stocking
of the entire issue room was automatic, and any delays or failures to maintain
stocks were evidences of inefficient operation.

Issue orders came from the regulating department to the officer in charge
of the issue room, who examined them and planned the work of the day. He
then turned them over, together with his instructions, to the noncommissioned
officer in charge of the issue clerks. The issue clerks began filling the
requisitions as instructed, taking the various items from the shelves and
placing them on the layout table, where each article was checked and
rechecked. Each issue clerk handled the items on certain sections of shelves
only and was assigned a certain portion of the layout table. Hence in filling

MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

851

requisitions the issue clerks could not interfere with one another, as each filled
only those items which were handled in his sections of shelves. For example,
to one issue clerk was given the portion of an issue order which included post
medicines; to another, that portion dealing with instruments and appliances.
Requisitions were extracted with this arrangement in mind, and issue orders
were prepared accordingly. As soon as an issue clerk had filled his portion of
the requisition or had used all the layout space assigned to him, he notified
the chief packer, giving him a requisition number and the address of the
consignee. The chief packer then assigned to one of his squad the work of
packing the supplies. In the event that several small requisitions were laid

Fio. SO.— Medical Supply Depot, No. 2, showing issue room

out on the same table, they were blocked off from one another by movable par-
titions which projected 6 or 8 inches above the surface of the table. In filling
large requisitions the issue clerk usually made arrangements with the chief packer
whereby the supplies on one-half of his section of the layout table were being
packed at the same time that he was filling the other half of the table, thus caus-
ing no delay. The chief packer gave to each box an issue room number, and
marked it "Mixed box, medicines," or in some similar manner, and stenciled
it with the requisition number and address of consignee.

Procedure from this point was exactly the same as that followed by the
warehouse group in shipping requisitions.

852 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Because of the large number of items on the average issue order, the issue
room recorded on its warehouse issue slip only the number of mixed boxes that
it shipped on the particular requisition. The issue order, properly checked,
was used by both the regulating department and the main office as a record of
items shipped from the issue room. This practice, while apparently irregular,
affected such a saving of time and proved to be so accurate that it was con-
sidered an unqualified success.

The officer in charge of the issue room had the same responsibility as the
officer in charge of a warehouse group, with certain additional details incident
to the handling of unpacked supplies. For example, he kept for his own
protection a record of all narcotics received and issued, making frequent inven-
tories of the stock on hand. The issue rooms were the first points in the depot
to feel a strain, and any inefficiency of operation caused congestion that was
fatal to the smooth filling of requisitions.

LESS-THAN-CARLOAD-LOT SUCTION

The L. C. L. section handled all shipments which were so small as to make
the use of an entire car inadvisable.

The noncommissioned officer in charge of the L. C. L. section received from
the regulating department a shipping advice for each L. C. L., to be shipped,
showing the warehouse groups from which packages were to be received. A
section of the L. C. L. warehouse was assigned to each of these requisitions,
and as the various packages came in they were checked against the warehouse
issue slip and stacked in their assigned places. When all warehouse groups
had delivered their portions of the shipment, the total number of packages
was determined and each package was given a shipping number; for exam-
ple, in a shipment of 25 cases, the fifth box to be given a number would be
designated box No. 25-5. As soon as the shipment was ready, the warehouse
issue slips were sent to the regulating department. From the L. C. L. ware-
house these shipments were sent to the post L. C. L. warehouse by truck or car
and here, after recheck of the box numbers they were shipped by the railway
transport officer under the direction of the post regulating officer. This pool-
ing of all less-than-carload lots in the post enabled practically all supplies to be
delivered to the French transportation companies in solid carloads, thus solving
one of the most difficult of the shipping problems faced by the American
Expeditionary Forces.

APPENDIX

853

EXCERPTS FROM THE MANUAL FOR THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT,
UNITED STATES ARMY, 1916

ARTICLE IX.— SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS

GENERAL PROVISIONS

474. The supply table enumerates the medical supplies issued to the Army and the
quantities and sizes of original packages. These supplies are selected for the military service,
and it is believed that all necessary articles are included and that the quantities allowed will
be found sufficient under ordinary circumstances. Requests for particular preparations
simply because they are agreeable to the taste or save trouble in compounding will not be
approved; nor will preparations of a drug be furnished when one or more practically equiv-
alent ones are on the supply table. The Medical Department will supply from time to time
new remedies of determined therapeutic value, but newly introduced remedies which offer no
manifest advantage over those already issued will not be supplied.

(a) Medical officers are requested to communicate freely to the Surgeon General any
suggestions tending to the improvement of medical supplies, appliances, etc., and to make
reports as to new designs of apparatus, field equipment, etc.

475. In preparing returns, requisitions, invoices, and receipts pertaining to medical and
hospital supplies, the nomenclature, order of entry, classification, and weights and measures
of the supply table will be followed. To facilitate the handling of these papers one line of
writing only will be placed in each interlinear space. No letter of transmittal is required
with them.

476. Medical officers in charge of medical supply depots will purchase and distribute
medical and hospital supplies for the Army according to instructions given them from time
to time by the Surgeon General. Purchases at posts or by officers not in charge of supply
depots (except prescriptions purchased under the provisions of Army Regulations, and anti-
toxins purchased under the authority indicated hereinafter in the supply table) will not
usually be made without special authority from the Surgeon General, or, in the Philippine
Department or Hawaiian Department, from the department surgeon. When the emergency
is so great that there is not time to obtain special authority by mail through the regular
channels, application therefor may be made direct by telegraph. When it is impracticable
to telegraph, small quantities of articles immediately needed to save life or prevent suffering
and distress among the sick may be purchased without advance authority. Vouchers for
such unauthorized purchases will be forwarded without delay on Form 330 or Form 330a,
W. D., to the department surgeon, or if from a command under the immediate supervision
of the War Department to the Surgeon General, unless otherwise directed by him. They
must invariably be accompanied by a letter explaining why the necessary articles were not
on hand, and what the circumstances were which did not admit of requiring for them in the
regular way or of making telegraphic application for authority to purchase them. Timely
action in requiring for supplies will as a rule obviate the necessity of telegraphic application
or of unauthorized purchases.

(a) Purchase vouchers must be accompanied by one invoice of articles purchased, Form
12, a duplicate of which should be retained by the officer accountable for the property.

855

856 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

REQUISITIONS
POST MEDICAL SUPPLIES

477. Annual requisitions for post medical supplies will be prepared on Form 33, for the
year commencing January 1, unless some other date is designated by the Surgeon General.

(a) They will be forwarded not less than 20 days before the beginning of the year, to
the department surgeon, in quadruplicate, or in the case of general hospitals and independent
posts direct to the Surgeon General in triplicate.

478. Articles of which a definite allowance is given on the supply table will be required
for on the annual requisition except as otherwise provided in paragraph 486. No remark
will be made opposite the name of any article that a special kind or special make or pattern
is wanted, as the annual requisition is intended to include only such articles as are kept on
hand in supply depots for issue, and not such as have to be specially purchased; the latter
when wanted must be asked for on special requisition.

(a) Only such quantities will be asked for as probably will be needed during the year,
computed on the basis of original packages. Fractional parts of a bottle or package will
not be asked for. The quantities asked for, plus the quantities on hand, must not exceed
those specified in the table for the official population most nearly corresponding to that of
the post or command. The quantity of each article on hand, as verified by a medical officer
in accordance with paragraph 512a, will be stated and will be deducted from the quantity
allowed annually by the supply table (ignoring for the purpose of this deduction fractional
parts of bottles and packages on hand) to ascertain the balance which may be asked for, is
needed.

(6) Before forwarding an annual requisition it will be carefully examined and compared
with the supply table to see that it has been correctly made out in strict accordance with
these regulations and to avoid the delay that its return for correction will occasion if they
are not complied with.

479. The local prevalence or rarity of certain diseases, as well as the quantity or number
on hand of each article, will be considered in the preparation and approval of annual
requisitions.

480. The smaller posts will not need all the articles included in the supply table. The
surgeon is not expected to inquire for an article merely because it is listed. He should call
only for what there is reason to think he will need.

481. The department surgeon to whom an annual requisition is forwarded will see
whether it is prepared in accordance with the above regulations. If it is, he will approve
and forward one copy direct to the medical supply depot designated for his territory by the
Surgeon General; if it is not, he will alter it to conform to these regulations and then forward
it to the depot approved as altered. In either event he will forward the second copy of the
requisition, with the action taken by him noted thereon, direct to the Surgeon General. He
will retain the third copy in the files of his office and will return the fourth copy to the
surgeon with his modifications, if any, noted thereon.

482. Special requisitions for post medical supplies are annual, quarterly, or emergency.
They will be made on Form 35, but separately from those for field medical supplies and
those for dental supplies. The same number of copies will be executed, and they will be
forwarded to the department surgeon or to the Surgeon General direct, as in the case of
annual requisitions from the same posts or hospitals. (See par. 477a.)

483. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 486, articles not on the supply table
which will be needed during the year will be called for on the annual special requisition. It
will be forwarded with the regular animal requisition. The articles will be listed in alphabeti-
cal order, and the necessity for them will be fully explained in the column of " Remarks." To
avoid delay in filling these requisitions a full description of special articles, instruments, and
appliances required for will be given in "Remarks," together with a statement of their cost
or approximate cost, as ascertained from dealers' catalogues or other reliable sources of
information. When unusual drugs or chemical reagents are called for, similar information
as to their cost will be furnished.

APPENDIX 857

484. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 486 and in the footnotes to the supply
tables, articles on the supply table of which no allowance is stated, or which are issued "as
required," will be called for on the quarterly special requisition.

(a) When supplies are exhausted or their exhaustion is imminent, a renewal thereof
may be asked for on the quarterly special requisitions forwarded (hiring the remainder of
the year. These articles should be listed according to the nomenclature, classification, and
alphabetical arrangement of the supply table.

(fc) When quarterly special requisitions are necessary they will ordinarily be forwarded
on or before January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1, for the ensuing three months,
respectively. A quarterly requisition may, however, be forwarded at any time during the
quarter in which the supplies are needed.

(c) When under these regulations a quarterly special requisition would be made at the
same time as an annual special it will be consolidated therewith.

485. When, as a result of the prevalence of an epidemic or for any other reason,
necessary supplies are likely to be exhausted before the next quarterly special requisition is
to be made, they will be called for on an emergency requisition, Form 35, forwarded at once
upon the development of the deficiency, with a full explanation of the emergency and its
cause. In extreme cases telegraphic application should be made direct to the Surgeon
General, or in the Philippine Department or Hawaiian Department to the department
surgeon, for the supplies needed to meet the emergency, which will be followed by a letter
of explanation. Surgeons will be held accountable for any suffering which may result from
their failure to require for supplies when it is evident the same will be needed.

(a) The frequent rendition of emergency post requisitions would usually argue a want
of reasonable foresight in requiring for supplies, or a want of proper economy in the use of
hospital property, and would be a reproach to medical administration. If due care in the
use of hospital property is exercised, and the regulations herein made for the timely prepara-
tion of annual and quarterly requisitions are observed, it will seldom be necessary to resort
to the emergency or telegraphic requisition.

486. The following special rules will be observed:

(a) Identification supplies will be asked for on quarterly special requisitions. On these
requisitions no other items should appear, as identification supplies are issued from the
New York suppy depot only.

(b) Articles required to replace unserviceable property, whether on the supply table or
not, will be required for on the quarterly special requisition. The exact number and
condition of the unserviceable articles on hand will be expressly stated in "Remarks."

(c) Mineral oil, coal, gas, and electric current, for operating sterilizers, X-ray machines
and other therapeutic apparatus will be obtained on request addressed to the Surgeon
General, or, in the Philippine or Hawaiian Departments, to the department surgeon.

(d) Supplies for a subpost or camp will, in the absence of orders to the contrary, be
required for quarterly upon the surgeon of the main post or command, who will issue them
after approval by the department surgeon.

487. The department surgeon to whom a special requisition is forwarded will personally
and carefully scrutinize it and make such changes therein as he may deem proper. He will
indorse on each of three copies his approval or recommendation as to the action to be taken
and will forward them, except as indicated in section (a) hereinafter, to the Surgeon General.
He will retain the fourth copy in the files of his office. One copy of the requisition forwarded
to the Surgeon General's Office will be returned to the surgeon, through the department
surgeon, with modifications, if any, noted thereon. In the Philippine and Hawaiian Depart-
ments the department surgeons are authorized to act upon special requisitions as upon
annual requisitions.

(a) In the case of a special requisition to meet an emergency not admitting of delay the
department surgeon is authorized to approve the same, forwarding one copy, with his
approval indorsed thereon, to the medical supply depot designated for his territory, forward-
ing a second copy to the Surgeon General with an indorsement stating the circumstances,
retaining the third copy in his files, and returning the fourth copy to the surgeon with his
modifications, if any, noted thereon; but requisitions for articles not on the supply table

858 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

must in all cases be forwarded to the Surgeon General for his action (except in the Philip-
pine and Hawaiian Departments, where the department surgeons will act upon them).

488. Medical supply officers to whom approved requisitions for supplies are referred by
department surgeons conformably to these regulations are authorized to issue the same from
stock, if on hand, or to purchase them for issue, if not on hand, subject, however, to instruc-
tions given by the Surgeon General respecting the allotment and expenditure of public funds
available for purchases.

FIELD MEDICAL SUPPLIES
(For provisions respecting requisitions from organizations in the field, see pars. 551 to 533)

489. Requisitions to replenish field medical supplies or to replace unserviceable field
equipment at permanent posts will be executed in triplicate, on Form 35, and will be
forwarded to the department surgeon, or, in the case of an independent post or station,
direct to the Surgeon General.

(a) The department surgeon who receives a requisition in triplicate for field medica
supplies in conformity with this regulation will promptly forward the same, with his recom-
mendations indorsed on each copy, to the Surgeon General. In the Philippine and Hawaiian
Departments the department surgeons are authorized to act upon them as upon requisitions
for post supplies. One copy of the requisition will be returned to the surgeon with
modifications, if any, noted thereon.

490. Requisitions from permanent posts for field medical supplies should be unnecessary
except immediately following active military operations or as the result of changes in the

supply tables.

DENTAL SUPPLIES

491. Articles of post medical supplies needed by the dental surgeon will be issued by
the surgeon, as to his other assistants, from time to time in such quantities as are needed
for the work at the post. The surgeon is charged with the responsibility of keeping on
hand the articles indicated in the supply tables as used by dental surgeons.

492. Requisitions for other dental supplies, annual and special, will be executed in
triplicate by the dentist, who will forward them through the surgeon to the department
surgeon, or, in the case of independent posts or commands, to the Surgeon General. The
department surgeon will promptly transmit them, with his recommendations indorsed on
each copy, to the Surgeon General. In the Philippine and Hawaiian Departments the
department surgeons are authorized to act upon them as upon requisitions for post sup-
plies. One copy of the requisition will be returned to the dentist with modifications, if any,
noted thereon.

493. Annual requisitions will be made on Form 36 for the year beginning January 1
(unless some other date is designated by the Surgeon General), and will be forwarded not
less than 20 days before that date.

(a) Articles of which a definite allowance is fixed on the dental supply table will be
required for on the annual requisition, except as otherwise provided in paragraph 491.
Annual dental requisitions will be subject to the regulations in paragrapli 478 governing the
preparation of annual post requisitions, so far as the same are applicable.

494. Articles on the dental supply table for which no allowance is specified or which
are issued "as required," will be required for on quarterly special requisitions, Form 35,
except as otherwise provided in paragraph 491, for the quarters beginning January 1, April 1,
July 1, and October 1.

(<i) Articles not on the dental supply table, which are absolutely necessary for dental
work soon in prospect, will also be called for on the quarterly special requisition, with a full
explanation of their necessity.

(b) Textbooks on dental subjects will be asked for on quarterly special requisitions.

495. In emergencies, when dental instruments, appliances, or supplies not on hand, or
to replace similar articles which have become unserviceable, will be needed before the next
quarterly special requisition, they may be required for on an emergency special requisition,
to be forwarded at once upon the development of the emergency, with a full explanation of
its character and cause.

APPENDIX 859

TRANSFER OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES

(See pars. 49 nnd 2281

490. In ordinary transfers of medical supplies the transferring officer will at once
forward invoices (Forms 23, 24, 28, or 31) in duplicate one to the Surgeon General direct
and one to the receiving officer. The latter will promptly upon completion of the transfer
forward receipts (Forms 23, 24, 28, or 31) in duplicate, one to the Surgeon General and the
other to the transferring officer. A packer's list (Form 32) will, if necessary, be furnished
by the transferring officer.

(a) All supplies shipped will bear the name of the consignor as well as that of the
consignee.

497. In cases in which complete transfer of medical property occurs, the receiving
officer, instead of giving separate receipts, as provided in paragraph 490, will receipt for the
property transferred on the final return, both original and duplicate (Form 17c), of his
predecessor. The transferring officer will at once forward the original return, bearing the
receipt above prescribed, to the Surgeon General. The duplicate return will be filed with
the retained records of the hospital.

498. Great care should be exercised before receipting for cases of instruments, micro-
scopes, and other property of similar character not enumerated on the property papers in
detail, to ascertain that the full contents of such cases are present and in good order.
Incomplete cases will be receipted for as such and a list of the missing articles will
accompany the receipt, in order that the proper officer may be held accountable for the
deficiency. Receipts without remark for cases of instruments and similar property will be
considered as evidence that they are complete and in accordance with the lists of contents
marked in the cases or as given in the supply table, and the receiving officer will be held
responsible in accordance therewith.

499. The transferring officer will enter on his invoices, and the receiving officer on his
receipts, the condition of all articles not serviceable.

500. Medical officers will report to the Surgeon General and to the transferring officer
all defects observed in the quality, quantity, or packing of medical supplies.

ACCOUNTABILITY

501. Medical officers will take up and account for all medical property of the Army
which comes into their possession. If it is property with which they have not been formally
charged (as, e. g., property found at post) they will report if possible to whose account it
is to be credited. (See, however, par. 5046.)

(a) Members of the Dental Corps will follow a similar course regarding dental property
coming into their possession, except supplies issued under paragraph 491.

502. No medical property will be accounted for as on hand at the end of the accounting
period unless the same is then in fact on hand. Medical property expended, lost, or destroyed
must be dropped accordingly, and credit therefor claimed by certificate or affidavit as
required by Army Regulations. If the evidence is considered satisfactory by the Surgeon
General the credit will be allowed as claimed; if not satisfactory, the accountable officer
will be required to refund the value of the property.

503. In invoicing or accounting for broken packages, such as bottles, jars, etc., fractions
will be given as one-fourth, one-half, three-fourths.

DISTRIBUTION OF FIELD MEDICAL SUPPLIES IN TIME OF PEACE

504. Surgeons on duty with fine organizations are charged with the responsibility of
keeping on hand in time of peace the field medical supplies mentioned in paragraph 632.
These supplies will be so distributed that in case of mobilization the various organizations will
arrive at their concentration camps completely equipped, but without medical supplies in
excess of the prescribed allowances. For example: If a regiment is divided between two
stations the camp infirmary may be assigned where the larger proportion of the register is
stationed and the combat equipment to the station of the other units. If a regiment is

860 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

divided between three or more stations the camp infirmary may be assigned to one station,
and the combat equipment to another, while the units at each of the other stations may be
supplied with an extra medical and surgical chest (par. 932). The additional articles for
the establishment of a regimental hospital should be kept at the same station as the camp
infirmary, as they are supplementary to the latter and of little value by themselves.

(a) If the supplies thus provided for detached battalions or companies prove insufficient
for the requirements of practice marches and other field exercises engaged in during peace
they may be supplemented by equipment improvised from post supplies, but requisitions
for field supplies in excess of these provisions should not be necessary.

(6) In order to carry out the provisions of this paragraph, surgeons of detached battal-
ions or companies will be required to hold the supplies (except individual equipments)
pertaining to the combat equipment and camp infirmary on memorandum receipt from the
surgeon at regimental headquarters.

505. When the battalions or companies of an organization are stationed in different
departments but belong to the same tactical division the distribution of the field medical
equipment of the organization will bo decided by the War Department upon the recom-
mendation of the department commander in whose department the headquarters of the
organization is stationed.

506. In the event of mobilization, organizations will take with them to the concentra-
tion cam]) the combat equipment and the camp infirmary only unless otherwise specifically
directed by the department commander, except that the extra medical and surgical chests
provided for detached battalions or companies may be taken if required for use en route.
In the latter case such additional supplies will be turned in to the depot when the organiza-
tion has joined its division.

RETURNS OF MEDICAL PROPERTY

507. Officers in charge of medical property will on bein<* relieved of the same prepare
a return thereof in duplicate (Forms 17, 17a, 176, and 17c), showing all articles received,
expended, sold, transferred, etc., during its period. The original of this return will be
promptly transmitted to the Surgeon General. The duplicate, witli a complete set of
vouchers, will be filed with the retained records of the hospital.

(a) Returns of property issued for personal use, including the portable dental outfit,
will be rendered at the end of each calendar year.

(b) Returns of field supplies will be made separately from returns of post supplies.
(See, however, par. 5046.)

508. Returns of dental property will be made by the dential having custody thereof.

SALES

509. When medical property is sold the officer responsible therefor will pay the neces-
sary authorized expenses of the sale, if any, out of the proceeds, taking proper vouchers for
such payments, and will deposit the balance or net proceeds, without delay, and if possible
on or before the last day of the month during which he receives the proceeds, with the
nearest United States depositary, to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States.
Immediately upon making the deposit he will notify the Surgeon General by letter direct
of his action, giving the date or dates of the sale and the amount of the proceeds of the
articles sold on each date.

(a) Within 10 days after the end of the month during which he receives the proceeds
of the sales he will render to the Surgeon General direct an account current (Form 3206 or
Form 320, W. D.) debiting himself thereon under the proper heading with the net proceeds
of the sales and crediting himself with the amount deposited. He will insert the proper
heading — that is, the designation of the proper fund to which the proceeds go (see par. 510) —
in one of the blank spaces provided therefor at the top of the ruled columns. He will
forward with his account an exhibit in duplicate of the articles sold, as follows:

First. In the case of a sale of condemned property at auction or on sealed proposals, if there
were any expenses attending the same, the exhibit will be made out on Form 325, W. D., and

APPENDIX 861

be accompanied by the vouchers for the expenses of sale; if there were no expenses, the
exhibit will be made out either on Form 325 or on Form 322, W. D.,as the accountable
officer may prefer; in cither event, the exhibit will be accompanied by a copy of or a suitable
extract from the inventory and inspection report.

Second. In the case of sales of medicines to civilians under paragraphs 242 to 244 of this
Manual the exhibit will be made out on Form 322a, W. D.

Third. In the case of other authorized sales the exhibit will be made out on Form 322,
W. D.

(b) A duplicate of the account and a triplicate of the exhibit should be retained by the
officer.

510. The proceeds of authorized sales of serviceable medical property accrue to the
special fund " Replacing medical supplies" for the proper two-year period, thus: The
proceeds of sales made during the fiscal year 1916 pertain to the fund "Replacing medical
supplies, 191G-17"; the proceeds of sales made during the fiscal year 1917, to the fund
" Replacing medical supplies, 1917-18"; and so on from year to year. The accountable
officer should render his accounts accordingly, carefully noting that it is the date of sale
that determines the fund to be credited and not the date of collecting the proceeds, which is
immaterial in this connection; otherwise embarrassment in the adjustment of his accounts
will follow.

(a) The proceeds of sales of condemned property accrue to "Miscellaneous receipts,"
and should be so designated.

DISPOSITION OF MEDICAL PROPERTY ON ABANDONMENT OF POSTS

511. Unless modified by special instructions from the Surgeon General, the following
rules will be observed in the disposition of medical property upon the abandonment of a
post :

(a) Unserviceable property will be submitted to an inspector, with a view to final
disposition by sale or destruction.

(6) A list of all other articles will be forwarded to the department surgeon, or, in the
case of an independant post, to the Surgeon General, for decision as to where they shall be
sent.

(c) Only such nonexpendable articles as are in perfect order, including recent medical
works, and nstmments which can not be transferred to other posts without unnecessary
duplication, should be turned in to a medical supply depot.

USE AND CARE OF MEDICAL PROPERTY

512. Officers will be held responsible for the serviceable and complete condition of all
property in their possession, except such as may have been rendered unserviceable by fair wear
and tear.

(a) The responsible officer will once each year cause all medical property in his charge
to lie carefully examined by a commissioned medical officer and verified by the returns,
invoices, etc.

513. With the permission of the surgeon, medical officers may take books and instru-
ments from the hospital for professional use; but no medical property of any description
will be taken away from a post by an officer on being relieved or when availing himself of a
leave of absence, except by authority of the Surgeon General, or within the limits of the
Philippine or Hawaiian Departments by authority of the department surgeon.

514. The stock of alcohol, alcoholic liquors, opium, and the salts, derivatives, and
preparations of opium or coca leaves will be kept in a locked closet in the storeroom and
only issued to the dispensary in unit containers from time to time as may be neceesary, upon
the written order of a medical officer.

(a) In the storeroom, receipts and expenditures of these articles will be accounted for in
the manner prescibed for the dispensary (par. 240).

515. Field supplies and equipment will not be used at posts, except when required for
purposes of instruction.

862 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

516. Field chests and appliances will be frequently inspected and kept in perfect order
for immediate field use.

517. The exchange of medicines with druggists is prohibited.

518. The issue of articles for use in the preparation of cleaning mixtures, cosmetics, or
perfumery, or for use with spirit lamps, etc., is prohibited.

519. The responsible officer will cause all instruments in his charge to be examined by
a commissioned medical officer at least once each month.

520. Steel and plated instruments may be prevented from rusting by keeping them in
a 20 per cent formalin solution saturated with borax.

521. Surgical instruments and appliances that require and are considered worth repairing
will be reported through the department surgeon to the Surgeon General, or in the Phillippine
or Hawaiian Departments to the department surgeon, with a statement of the repairs
needed, giving the name of the maker of each article.

522. The responsible officer will also report to the Surgeon General, or in the Philippine
or Hawaiian Departments to the department surgeon, such articles of bedding or furniture
as may need and are considered worth repair or renovation. The work should be done by
post labor if practicable, request being made for authority to purchase necessary material.
If this is not practicable, the officer will obtain one or more estimates in detail of the cost
of repair or renovation of such bedding or furniture and forward them with his report.

523. Blankets not in use should be frequently examined and properly protected.
When stained but otherwise in good condition they should be continued in service. Hospital
bedding will not be used by members of the Hospital Corps, except when on duty in the wards.

524. When a typewriter is to be transported the ribbon spools should be removed and
packed separately, the carriage of the machine securely tied to the base in such a manner
that it can not move in any direction, and the steel rods or blocks for locking the carriage
placed in position. Medical officers will be held responsible for damages to typewriters
which result from careless packing.

525. Rubber and flexible catheters and bougies will be kept in talc or glycerin to
preserve them.

526. When the canvas in litters becomas soiled it will be removed from the litters,
washed, and replaced. When it becomes torn or unserviceable new canvas of the proper
size should be applied for to replace it.

THE SANITARY SERVICE IN WAR

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

551. In combat, expenditures of surgical dressings and similar articles from the equip-
ment of troops on the line are normally replenished from the reserve supplies of the nearest
ambulance company or camp infirmary. No formal requisitions, invoices, or receipts will
be required.

(a) In emergencies the division surgeon may authorize the transfer of supplies between
other sanitary formations. If the supplies so transferred are nonexpendable, invoices and
receipts will be executed and forwarded in the usual manner.

(6) Medical Department blank forms for the use of troops not under the jurisdiction
of a department commander, operating with a tactical command mobilized for field service,
whether in the theater of operations or in the interior, or in time of war or of peace, will be
procured by requisition, Form 37, on the chief medical officer of the command (camp
surgeon, division surgeon or surgeon medical base group as the case may be), who will alter
and approve the same at discretion for issue from his emergency reserve or from the proper
depot. (See pars. 885 and 9(51). Blank forms of other staff departments will be procured
as provided by the regulations of those departments or by Army Regulations.

(c) Supply depots on the line of communications obtain their supplies in the manner
prescribed in paragraphs 782 to 792. (C. M. M. D., No. 2.)

552. With the exceptions noted in the preceding paragraph, all medical supplies for
troops in the theater of operations will be required for on emergency special requisitions
(Form 35). These requisitions will be made in duplicate. Those from divisional troops

APPENDIX 863

will he forwarded to the division surgeon. This officer will modify them at his discretion,
and if the requisition, as approved, is within the limits of the prescribed allowances for the
organization making it, the original will be forwarded to the most convenient depot for issue.
If the requisition as approved calls for articles in excess of the prescribed allowances, it will
be forwarded to the surgeon, base group, for his action. Requisitions from sanitary forma-
tions on the line of communications will be forwarded through medical channels to the
surgeon, base group, who will modify them at his discretion and forward the original to the
most convenient depot for issue. In all cases the duplicate copy of the requisition will be
returned to the office of origin with modifications, if any, noted thereon.

(a) In emergencies medical supplies may be issued to evacuation ambulance companies
and evacuation hospitals on requisitions approved by the surgeon, advance group,

553. Sanitary formations operating in the service of the interior obtain their medical
supplies as prescribed for time of peace. (See pars. 477 to 495.)

554. Medical and other supplies for the use of the sick and wounded are transported, so
far as possible, by the Medical Department with its own transportation. Supplies which
can not be thus transported are invoiced to the Quartermaster Corps for transportation, and
their shipment is expedited as much as possible, ammunition and rations alone, as a rule,
having precedence. When necessary, members of the Hospital Corps are detailed to
accompany medical property.

555. The method by which supplies are forwarded from the line of communications and
distributed to troops in the zone of the advance is described in Field Service Regulations:
Supply Service.

ARTICLES XL— THE SERVICE OF THE INTERIOR

* ******

MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOTS

612. Additional medical supply depots will be established by the Surgeon General
as he may deem necessary, having due regard for the sources of supply and facilities for
distribution.

* ******

ARTICLE XIV.— THE LINE OF COMMUNICATIONS

THE BASE MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOT

782. A medical supply depot will be establishment at the base. The officer in charge!
of this depot will prepare in quadruplicate a list of all supplies required showing the
maximum and minimum quantities of eacli article which should be kept on hand in the
depot, having due regard in formulating this estimate to the number of troops to be supplied,
the time required by the depot to replenish supplies, the character of the military operations
in prospect, etc. In stating the minimum quantity of supplies the supply officer should
include at least one medical reserve unit (par. 891) for each division at the front, in addition
to the supplies likely to be required by the sanitary formations on the line of communi-
cations. Three copies of the above-mentioned list will be forwarded through military
channels to the commander of the military forces. When approved, one copy will be
retained at the headquarters of the commander of the field forces, one copy will be sent
to the Surgeon General, and one copy will be returned to the officer in charge of the depot.

(a) When the supply on hand of any article exceeds or falls below the specified
maximum or minimum, the fact will be reported in writing to the commander of the line of
communications and to the senior medical officer on the staff of the commander of the field
forces, with appropriate explanatory remarks.

783. Stock to replace issues from these depots will be maintained without formal
requisition. (See F. S. R.: Zone of the Advance, General.) When such replenishment is
desired, single copies of the invoices on which supplies were issued, stamped " Replenish-
ment requested," will be forwarded direct to the designated source of supply. Any articles
shown on an invoice for which replenishment is not desired will be erased therefrom before
the invoice is stamped and forwarded. Invoices stamped and forwarded as above described
will be acted upon as if they were approved requisitions.

864 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

784. Requisitions from the depot for other than the replenishment of issues, if within
the limits of the maximum and minimum table, will be forwarded in duplicate to the
surgeon, base group. He will modify them at his discretion, forward one copy to the issuing
depot in the home territory and return the other copy to the base depot with his modifica-
tions, if any, noted thereon.

785. Requisitions for supplies not provided for in the maximum and minimum table
require the approval of the Surgeon General.

786. In emergencies the surgeon, base group, may authorize local purchases to supply
the immediate needs of the depots on the line of communications.

THE ADVANCE MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOT

787. The stock on hand at this depot will be considered a part of the available supply
of the base depot, as far as the table fixing the maximum and minimum stock limits is
concerned.

788. Maximum and minimum limits of stock to be maintained at this depot will be
determined by the commander of the line of communications on recommendation of the
surgeon, base group, to whom any variations of stock above or below the prescribed limits
will be reported at once with appropriate explanatory remarks. In making his recommen-
dations the surgeon, base group, should include in the minimum quantity of supplies to be
maintained at this depot at least one medical reserve unit (par. 891).

789. Issues from the advance depot will be replenished from the base depot without
formal requisition, in the manner provided under base supply depots (par 783).

790. Requisitions from the advance depot for supplies other than those required to
replace issues will be forwarded in duplicate to the surgeon, base group. He will modify
them at his discretion, send one copy to the base supply depot for issue and return the other
copy to the writer with his modifications, if any, noted thereon.

791. The advance depot is intended as a source of supply for troops in the zone of the
advance and it should not, except in emergency, be depleted by issues to evacuation hospitals,
evacuation ambulance companies, and other units on the line of communications.

792. The operations of this depot will necessarily be controlled by the military situation
in the zone of the advance. If the troops are occupying defensive positions with little
probability of an immediate advance the depot may be established in buildings, if they are
available, or under canvas; if they are advancing the depot may be maintained on barges,
in box cars, or on motor trucks. In the latter case the prescribed stock of supplies may,
temporarily, have to be reduced to such essentials as surgical dressings, medicines, and other
articles of that class. In determining the character of the articles that may be eliminated
under these circumstances much will depend upon the facility with which supplies can be
obtained from the base.

SUPPLY LETTERS NOS. 1 TO 29, INCLUSIVE, MEDICAL DEPART-
MENT, UNITED STATES ARMY

War Department,
Office of the Surgeon General,

Washington, December 5, 1917.
The following instructions are supplemental to the Manual for Medical Department,
and are not intended to supersede the latter. Attention is invited to paragraph 477 et seq.
M. M. D., 1916, with reference to the preparation of requisitions.

W. C. Gorgas, Surgeon General.

[Supply Letters Nos. I to 23, inclusive, consolidated and revised]
1. ACCOUNTABILITY

(a) For medical and dental property. — A number of instances have recently occurred in
which officers accountable for medical and dental supplies have left their property on
changing station without transferring it to another officer. This practice has been found to
result almost invariably in serious complications in the settlement of the property returns

APPENDIX 865

of the accounting officer. Attention is therefore called to the urgent necessity for the
transfer of all property as contemplated in paragraph 659, A. R., before the accountable
officer is separated from it.

(b) Returns of medical property. — The attention of all medical officers is invited to the
fact that a great amount of extra and seemingly unnecessary work has been caused in the
examination of returns of medical property, due to the following causes:

Failure to forward promptly invoices of property issued or receipts for property
received, as provided by paragraph 496, M. M. D., 1916.

Failure to properly number all vouchers pertaining to the return.

Failure to arrange articles on returns and vouchers in the same order and under the
same name as shown in the Manual for the Medical Department. In this connection
attention is invited to paragraph 475, M. M. D., which provides that "in preparing returns,
requisitions, invoices, and receipts pertaining to medical and hospital supplies the nomen-
clature, order of entry, classification, and weights and measures of the supply table will lie
followed."

Failure of medical officers to retain accountability for litters with slings which are in
the hands of company commanders, as indicated by footnote 3, page 254, M. M. D.

Failure of medical officers of militia to properly transfer to the property and disbursing
officer of the respective States, or otherwise account by proper voucher for the property in
possession of the organization on muster out.

Failure to show shortage in units on the slips of the return carrying such units.

Failure of officers signing receipts for medical property who are not themselves
accountable officers to follow their signatures with the words, "For and in the absence of
" (naming the accountable officer).

Failure to check over units carefully before receipting for them. Officers must realize
that they will be held accountable for units as a whole when receipted for without remark.
In this connection attention is invited to paragraph 498, M. M. D. Attention is also
especially invited to paragraphs 502, 507, and 512, M. M. D.

Failure to give the name of the issuing officer on the brief of receipt for medical property.

Failure to leave blank on briefs of invoices the lines intended for the name and rank of
the officer to whom medical property is issued. (The two lower lines for station or command
should, however, be filled in by the issuing officer.)

(r) Departmental and divisional surgeons should take such steps as are necessary to
enforce the requirements of the Manual for the Medical Department, 1916, relative to the
care and returns of medical property.

(d) Officers making returns of medical property should in all cases state on Form 17
the name of the organization or the post to which the return pertains.

(e) Both returns of medical property and vouchers pertaining thereto should be signed
with pen in a legible manner by the accountable officer. In this connection attention is
invited to the provisions of paragraph 779, Army Regulations, 1913. In ease of signatures
which are not clearly legible, the officer's name should be typewritten in addition to the
signature.

(/) The supply officer on duty with ambulance sections and with field hospital sections
should be accountable for all property in those sections, whether medical, quartermaster, or
ordnance. This property should be held by organization commanders on memorandum
receipt.

(g) The supply officers of the respective sections should secure the necessary personnel
from that assigned to duty with the headquarters of those sections.

2. ACID (PICRIC) AND BENZINE

(a) Under the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commerce Commission for the

transportation of explosives and other dangerous artclcs, picric acid "dry" is classed as a

"high explosive." When "wet" with 20 per cent water it is still so dangerous that it can

only be shipped under special restrictions and at a prohibitive cost. It should not be

30663—28 55

866 FINAXCE ASH SUPPLY

requested, except under the most extreme emergency, and in case it is obtainable locally
authority for local purchase should be requested.

(6) Benzine, from its inflammable nature, is also dangerous, and should be procured
locally if possible.

3. AMBULANCE COMPANY EQUIPMENT

The quantities noted after the following items are authorized for ambulance companies
at maximum strength:

Foot powder tins 150

Iodine swabs - -boxes... 100

Spirit i is ammonii aromatic us . .bottles. 18

4. AMBULANCES (MOTOR)

The serial number of each ambulance should be indicated in all correspondence relative
to motor ambulances, including vouchers.

(a) Disposal of unserviceable spare parts, etc. — During active field service, or conditions
simulating thereto, the following rules will govern the disposal of unserviceable spare parts,
accessories, etc., pertaining to motor vehicles of the Medical Department:

(1) Spare parts and accessories worn out in the service which have no salable value
may be disposed of in such manner and under such regulations as the department surgeon
or division surgeon may direct.

(2) Bolts, cap screws, cement, cotter pins, cotton waste, emery cloth, gasoline, grease,
lamp cord, mats, oils, rivets, sandpaper, solder, tape, washers, and wood screws may be
dropped on the certificate of the responsible officer showing in what manner they were
expended.

(3) Articles which have a salable value, or which may be salvaged, and the parts used
in repair of other machines will be turned in to the nearest machine shop for such use as
can be made of them. The acknowledgment of the receiving officer will be accepted as
relieving the responsible officer from further accountability therefor.

(4) Unserviceable tires and inner tubes will be turned into the Louisville depot.

(b) Nonskid tires. — As the chains with which motor ambulances are equipped can not be
operated on nonskid tires successfully, only plain-tread tires are authorized and will be
issued in the future.

(<■) Oil and gasoline. — The scanning of the reports of motor ambulances (Q. M. C. Form
417) brings to light the fact that high gasoline and oil consumption, per mile, without
apparent cause, is general throughout the service.

Officers responsible for motor ambulances should take steps to check any and all waste
of gasoline and oil, and sec that the men charged with the care and operation of those
vehicles be instructed to exercise care in this respect, in order that the cost per mile may
be reduced and maintained at an economic figure.

Unnecessary "idling" (i. e., running of the motor while the car stands still) is a source
of gasoline waste often overlooked by men not properly trained, and ignored by the careless
and indifferent.

The operation of vehicles on soft tires is not only the greatest single enemy of high tire
mileage, but it also has a bad effect on the fuel bill, owing to the added resistance imposed,

An over-rich mixture, improperly adjusted brakes, and unskillful] handling of the spark
lever, are common causes for excessive fuel consumption, which can be remedied by careful
and intelligent operation. Leaking valves, valve caps, spark plugs, and piston rings (indi-
cated by poor compression in one or more cylinders and general lack of power) will lower
the miles per gallon perceptably, and should be attended to by a skillful mechanic without
delay, as such defective operation grows rapidly and steadily worse.

Gasoline and motor oils will hereafter be purchased from the Quartermaster Corps.

Attention is invited to the following order:

APPENDIX 867

Changes No. —

War Department,
Washington, November — , 1017.
Paragraph 134^, 1916 Supplement to the Compilation of Orders, is changed as follows,
134}^. (P. 46, 1910 Supplement to the Compilation of Orders) Motor vehicles, searchlights,
and other power equipment. — Motor vehicles, searchlights, and other power equipment,
furnished by the Ordnance and Medical Departments and the Engineer and Signal Corps
will be repaired and maintained at the expense of the respective departments and corps;
the gasoline and lubricants for them will be supplied by and at the expense of the Quarter-
master Corps, except to the Medical Department. Facilities on hand in the Quartermaster
Corps for repair and maintenance of vehicles may be furnished to the respective departments
and corps, and gasoline and lubricants may be furnished by the Quartermaster Corps to the
Medical Department, settlement therefor to be made by the usual transfer of funds (sec. 11,
G. O. 51, 1916). (C. C. of O. Xo. — , November — , 1917.)
(463.7, A. G. O.)
By order of the Secretary of War:

Taskeh 11. Bliss,
General, Chief of Staff.
Official:

H.P. McCain,

The Adjutant General.

5. ARGYROL AND PROTARGOL (SUBSTITUTES FOR)

Argyrol and protargol have become very expensive and equivalent substitutes will be
issued therefor. Narvol and silver nucleinate have been examined at the Army Medical
School and the Walter Reed General Hospital and have been found to be equal to argyrol
in bactericidal action and effect upon the mucous membranes.

Progentum and silver proteinate have also been examined and are considered suitable
substitutes for protargol in most cases of disease of the mucous membranes.

These, or other satisfactory substitutes, will therefore be used in lieu of argyrol and
protargol, unless the former is especially desired for eye work, in which case it should lie so
stated on the requisition.

6. BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS

(a) The following is a list of biological products furnished from the Army Medical
School :

Bacterial vaccines. — Typhoid vaccine, paratyphoid A and B vaccine, triple typhoid
vaccine, vaccine against strangles and the complication of influenza in horses, gonococcus
vaccine," staphylococcus vaccine," staphylococcus-acne vaccine," streptococcus vaccine."

(b) Sera, agglutinating, for diagnostic purposes. — Typhoid, paratyphoid A, paratyphoid
B, dysentery Flexner, dysentery Y, cholera, melitensis, dysentery Shiga, pneumococcus,
Type I; pneumococcus, Type II; pneumococcus, Type III; meningococcus, polyvalent;
meningococcus, normal: meningococcus, intermediate A; meningococcus, intermediate B;
parameningococcus.

(c) The following vaccines and sera are authorized for human use: Triple typhoid vaccine
(furnished as indicated above), smallpox vaccine, antianthrax serum (issued only for special
cases) antimeningitis serum (in packages containing 2-15 c. c. vials), antipneumococcic
serum (50 and 100 c. c. vials), antistreptococcic serum (50 and 100 c. c. vials), diphtheria
antitoxin (1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 units), tetanus antitoxin (1,500, 3,000, and 5.000 units.

(a) Miscellaneous. — Human serum water.

The following should be obtainable from department laboratories. Now obtainable
from the Army Medical School: West tubes, veal broth glucose agar, material for oil
solution of dichloramine-T.

' On account of the general opinion that any therapeutic results obtained from the use of a vaccine are clue to Die
nonspecific protein reaction and not to any specific action of the vaccine, the use of these vaccines is not advised.
K'jiially good results can be obtained from the use of small doses of triple typhoid vaccine.

868 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Outfits for the Schick test are obtained from the department laboratories.
In case mice are not readily obtainable locally, they should be obtained from the
department laboratories.

(ft) Biological products (veterinary). — The following biological products (veterinary),
recommended by the veterinary advisory board, are authorized for use in the Army:

(a) Anlitetanic serum (1,500 units in vials, as required, 500 units in syringe
containers). — At the National Army and National Guard camps this may be obtained
on requisition to the division surgeon. For places other than camps, requisitions
should be forwarded to the department surgeon.

(6) Mallein, ophthalmic (as required). — Hereafter all mallein required for the
veterinary service of the Army will be obtained from the Bureau of Animal Industry,
Department of Agriculture. Telegraphic requests should be made to this office, stating
the number of animals to be tested. The purchase of any commercial preparations
of this substance is disapproved.

(c) Proplujlatic vaccine for strangles and the complications of equine influenza
(distemper vaccine). — This is carried in stock at the various camp medical supply
depots and should be obtained from them or the Army Medical School," requisitions
to be forwarded to division or department surgeons, as the case may be, for approval
and transmission to the depots.

(d) Simultaneous anthrax serum and spore vaccine. — To be obtained by telegraphic
request to this office.

(c) Expired biological products not returnable. — On account of the low price at which the
biological products are sold to the Government, the manufacturers do not replace time-
expired products. All of these products should be destroyed when the time limit is past.
Care should be taken, however, to see that large stocks are not accumulated, and vaccines
and sera should be obtained frequently in small quantities in order to avoid waste.

7. COMBAT EQUIPMENT

The combat equipment must be maintained intact and every effort should be made to
preserve the entire field equipment complete for actual combat. To this end additional
supplies should be issued from post stocks for routine use at sick call and for the treatment
of trivial cases at infirmaries. The compressed surgical dressing materials of the field
supplies are very expensive and should be used only to equip pouches, belts, and chests.
Articles of post supplies should be utilized wherever practicable.

8. DENTAL SUPPLIES (REPAIR OF)

The attention of dental surgeons is invited to the fact that the following articles can
usually be repaired. Before submitting these articles for condemnation, therefore, they
should be carefully examined and if found to be worthy of repair, authority should be
requested to turn them into a medical supply depot: Handpieces, dental (S. S. White);
engines, dental; lathes, dental; forceps; soldering and heating outfit; and all electrical
appliances.

9. DRESSING, SURGICAL (CONSERVATION OF)

All manufacturers of the country who have the equipment to make field dressings are
making every effort to supply the requirements of the Army and Navy, but unless great
care is exercised by medical officers, there will be a shortage.

9. DRESSING— SURGICAL— (CONSERVATION OF)

All manufacturers of the country who have the equipment to make field dressings are
making every effort to supply the requirements of the Army and Navy, but unless great care
is exercised by medical officers, there will be a shortage.
The following suggestions should be considered:

(a) Never use "field " dressings, if "post " dressings are available. The latter cost
much less and are easier to obtain.

APPENDIX 869

(6) Substitute absorbent cotton for absorbent gauze whenever possible; the gauze
looms of the country are now being worked to their full capacity.

(c) The feasibility of laundering soiled dressings should be given careful
consideration.

10. DRY CELLS

The chloride of silver dry cells used in the standard electric apparatus, manufactured
by the Chloride of Silver Dry Cell Manufacturing Co.. have considerable sale value. The
unserviceable dry cells should always be turned into the depot when new ones are received.

11. GENERAL ORDERS, BULLETINS, ETC.— WAR DEPARTMENT AND ANNUAL
REPORT OF THE SURGEON GENERAL (BINDING OF)

(This relates to regular Army posts only)

The annual report of the Surgeon General will hereafter be bound every second year
(two reports to be bound in one volume) and should be forwarded at the end of each two
years to the medical supply depot from which the surgeon receives his medical supplies.

The general orders, circulars, and bulletins. War Department, will be bound yearly, as
heretofore, and should be forwarded by mail to the medical supply depot for that purpose
as soon as the indices are furnished by the War Department. Especial care should be taken
to see that the files of general orders are complete, including title page and index.

Medical supply officers are authorized to obtain estimates in the usual manner for the
accomplishment of this work, the binding to be uniform with previous volumes.

Upon the completion of the binding, the volumes should be returned to the stations
from which they were received, where they will be taken up on the next return of medical
property .

When post surgeons forward these publications to the supply depot for binding, they
should notify the department surgeons in order that the latter may be fully informed
regarding the progress of the work. Medical officers stationed at independent places should
notify this office when action has been taken as above indicated.

This supply letter should not be construed as authority for the binding of annual
reports, general orders, etc., for the library of any independent station for which such binding
has not heretofore been done.

12. HAND-AX CARRIERS

When making requisition to the Ordnance Department for hand axes, hand-ax carriers
should also be requested. They are not supplied by the Medical Department.

13. HEROINI HVDROCHLORIDUM

No additional purchases will be made, and after the present stock is exhausted this
product will be dropped from the supply table.

14. ICHTHYOL

Ichthyol is practically unobtainable. Ichthyogen, ichthytar or other substitutes will
be supplied instead. Requisitions should call for ichthyol or equivalent.

15. INSECTICIDE

Sodium fluoride for roaches. — This salt has been found to be most effective. It should
be freely sprinkled in a finely divided form in those places where the insects are most
prevalent. It may be asked for in 5-pound quantities on special requisitions. The salt is
practically without poisonous quality to the human subject unless large quantities of it are
consumed.

16. INSTRUMENTS (CARE OF)

(a) It has been determined by prolonged study at the medical supply depot in Manila
that a most satisfactory method for keeping instruments under conditions where rust is apt
to interfere with the preservation of steel material has been found in a solution of 20 per
cent formalin, saturated with borax. The immersion of the instruments in this solution

870 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

lias resulted most efficiently in the prevention of rust; and its use is recommended to
medical officers, under conditions where the rust factor is encountered, for surgical instru-
ments of all kinds.

A repair shop at the New York depot makes it possible to do ordinary repairs to surgical
instruments at that place and at diminished cost. Instruments should habitually be sent
by mail upon authority of this office.

(b) Instrument* (conservation of). — There is a serious shortage of all kinds of surgical
instruments, and although the manufacturers are making every effort, it will be many
months before the requirements of the Army can be met. The situation as regards surgical
needles is even worse. Practically no needles are made in this country, and their importa-
tion from England has been curtailed by the British Government. Arrangements have
been made for producing them in this country, and it is hoped that within a few months
the demand can be supplied.

In view of the conditions outlined above, all officers of the Medical Department will
institute measures to conserve the present supply of surgical instruments, and thereby
prevent the occurrence of a shortage otherwise inevitable.

17. INVOICES

(a) Invoices and receipts for articles turned into depots for repairs. — These are not required,
and a list showing the articles forwarded will be adequate in lieu of invoices and receipts.
If for any reason the supply officer is unable to return the articles after repair, he will
communicate the fact, and the question of invoices and receipts can then be taken up.

(b) Discrepancy between invoice and quantity of supplies received. — In all cases where the
quantity or quality of items received from a medical supply depot differs from the invoice
covering such shipments (either overdelivery or shortage), or whenever supplies are received
without invoice, the medical supply officer making the shipments should immediately be
informed regarding the discrepancy, in order that the matter may be promptly and
satisfactorily adjusted.

18. MEDICAL PROPERTY, UNSERVICEABLE (DISPOSITION OF)

Under the provisions of A. R. 907, as amended by Changes A. R. No. 61, W. D., Septem-
ber 24, 1917, the following-named medical supply depots are designated to receive such
unserviceable medical property as is worth the transportation charges and which can be
advantageously disposed of either by sale or by being broken up into parts and used in the
repair or manufacture of other articles:

Medical supply depot, 1210 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa.: From all posts, camps, and
stations in the Eastern and Northeastern Departments.

Medical supply depot, Stewart Avenue and Glenn Street, Atlanta, Ga.: From all posts,
camps, and stations in the Southeastern Department (excepting those in the States of
Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi) and the coast defenses of Galveston, Tex.

Medical supply depot, 500-512 North Fourth Street, St. Louis, Mo.: From all posts,
camps, and stations in the States of Arkansas, Louisana, Mississippi, Missouri, Kansas,
Colorado, and Oklahoma.

Medical supply depot, 39.30 Federal Street, Chicago, 111.: From all posts, camps, and
stations in the Central Department excepting those in the States of Colorado, Kansas, and
Missouri.

Medical supply depot, 309 North Medina Street, San Antonio, Tex.: From all posts,
camps, and stations in the Southern Department, excepting those in the State of
Oklahoma.

Medical supply depot, Bay Street, Harbor Warehouse No. 3, San Francisco, Calif.:
From all posts, camps, and stations in the Western Department.

It is noted from many reports of survey and inspection reports that medical property
is being quite extensively destroyed. It is desired that such property, any part of which
can be utilized in the manufacture of other articles or supplies, be turned into a depot.
The article may have no salable value at a particular post, camp, or station and yet a

APPENDIX 871

material'part of it may be of value in the manufacture of other articles or in the repair of
articles of like character.

There will be established at several places in the United States hospitals for the train-
ing of disabled soldiers which will probably be known as " curative shops," in which
damaged and unserviceable articles can be reworked or repaire.d, or other articles made out
of the material. It is intended to send to such hospitals for use, in various ways, in the
training of such disabled soldiers, and to prevent the total loss of more or less serviceable
material.

19. MEDICAL SUPPLIES (CONSERVATION OF)

The attention of officers of the Medical Department (medical, dental and veterinary)
is invited to the fact that there is at present a shortage of medicines and dressings in the United
States, and that it is probable that this condition will continue indefinitely.

All officers are therefore enjoined to make every effort to eliminate waste of supplies of
every kind, and especially of those belonging to classes mentioned in paragraph No. 1.
As regards the conservation of medicines, the following rules should be observed:

(a) Medicine should be prescribed only when there is a clear indication for its use.
Soldiers very seldom require placebos; cheap ones should be used if placebos are
required at all.

(6) Medicines should not be prescribed in large quantities. For example, a 4-ounce
mixture should not be ordered if a 2-ounce will do, or a dozen tablets given if less
than that number will meet the requirements of the patient. The quantity prescribed
should not exceed the number of doses the officer writing the prescription expects the
patient to take in the following 4S hours.

(c) It is advisable to administer medicines in hospitals or dispensaries under super-
vision whenever possible.

(d) Particular care should be taken to avoid the unnecessary administration of
cocaine, quinine, and all preparations containing morphine or opium. The stocks
of quinine and opium are very small at present and every effort should be made to
conserve the supply of these important drugs.

20 NEEDLES (HYPODERMIC)

Great care should be taken to specify the particular syringe for which hypodermic
needles are required. This specification will avoid delay necessitated by having to ascer-
tain the type of syringe for which the needles arc desired. Hypodermic needles are scarce
and difficult to obtain. They should be made to last as long as possible.

21. PENCILS (HAIR)

On account of the war, this item is now unobtainable in the United States. Substitutes
should be improvised by the surgeons.

22. PETROLATUM LIQUIDUM AND RUSSIAN OIL

The standard liquid petrolatum of the supply table is a pure refined product and will
answer all purposes indicated by the heavy Russian oil. It has been used for internal
administration, satisfactorily both at the Walter Reed General Hospital and attending
surgeon's office, Washington, D. C.

23. POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE

This item is at present practically unobtainable, and will no longer be supplied.
Terminal disinfection is seldom necessary, and other material must be substituted. This
office concurs in the following statement:

Terminal disinfection is apparently of little value, especially if proper care has been
exercised during the course of disease. — Manual for Health Officers, by J. S. MacNutt,
lecturer of Public Health Service in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

872 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

24. PUBLIC FUNDS (AUTHORIZATION FOR EXPENDITURE OF)

(a) When permission is given to a surgeon for the purchase or repair of Government
property, the amount involved is charged against the quarterly allotment in this office.
The purchase should be made and vouchers in payment submitted to this office for
approval, within 30 days after receipt of the authority. If purchase be delayed for any
cause beyond this period the surgeon should report the fact and state when the
purchase will be completed. In any event, a report should be made showing how much
of the authorized amount has been actually expended.

(fc) Bulletin No. 37, W. D-, December, 1915. — The attention of all medical officers who
make deposits of money to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States is invited to the
stringent requirements of Bulletin No. 37, \V. D., December, 1915, and the notation to be
made on the efficiency reports of those who fail to comply therewith.

25. REQUISITIONS

(a) All requests for supplies from organizations in or attached to divisional camps should
be made to the medical supply officer of the camp through the division or camp surgeon.
If a supply be not in stock, the several requisitions should be consolidated by the medical
supply officer and included in his monthly request for replenishment of supplies for his depot.
These monthly requisitions should be forwarded to the Surgeon General's Office for action,
except in cases of emergency, when application may be made by telegraph or small quantities
of supplies procured locally to save life or prevent suffering, as provided in paragraph 476,
Manual for the Medical Department.

All medical supplies will be invoiced to the medical supply officer of the camp who will
be responsible for their proper distribution to the troops or personnel of the command for
which intended.

(b) Field medicines will be used at the camps instead of post medicines.

(c) Scales, weights, and other paraphernalia for dispensing medicines will not be supplied
to camps.

(d) During the period of the present emergency no instruments or appliances should be
requested on requisitions which are not included in the List of Staple Medical and Surgical
Supplies, part 1.

(e) Field special requ.Uiti.ons. — It is necessary that a separation be made of requests for
post medical supplies, and those for field supplies, because of the difference in stock carried
by depots.

All articles listed as post supplies and additional articles of that classification are
properly placed on requisition for post medical supplies. Following the same plan, all
articles of field supply should appear on a field requisition. The two requisitions should be
rendered at the same time to cover the supplies necessary for the period. Veterinary supplies
and dental supplies should also be requested on separate requisitions.

(J) Supplies on hand. — Not infrequently a special operating table, cabinet for dressings
and instruments, or other special apparatus is requested on a special requisition, and the
request is accompanied by the showing "On hand — O," whereas the returns in this office
show that other similar articles are on hand at the hospital. The statement " On hand — "
should hereafter be qualified with a further statement in the column of " Remarks," showing
the number and make of equivalent articles which may be on hand at the hospital, when
this is the fact.

It is directed that amounts indicated in the "On hand" column shall include the
amount of each item due on approved pending requisitions, in addition to the quantities
actually on hand.

(g) Initial equipment and replenishments. — All requisitions for initial equipment and for
replenishments for National Guard and National Army camps should be forwarded direct
to this office for approval. The requisitions, except in emergency, will not be forwarded
more frequently than once a month. Emergency requisitions may be forwarded at any
time, but a full statement of the necessity must be entered under the column of " Remarks."

APPENDIX 873

(h) Annual requisitions to be discontinued. — Annual requisitions will be discontinued
during the period of the war. All requisitions for medical, dental, veterinary, and automo-
bile supplies will be prepared on Form No. 35, Medical Department.

It is not intended, nor is it desirable, to request all the items on the several supply
tables. The officer who prepares the requisition should request only those articles which
he habitually prescribes and uses. Surgeons are cautioned to exercise every possible economy.
As previously indicated in this supply letter, an unlimited quantity of medical supplies can
not be obtained, and if our troops abroad are to have an adequate supply, those at home
must economize.

26. RUBBER GOODS (UNSERVICEABLE)

All unserviceable rubber goods, including gloves, rubber sheeting, hot-water bottles,
fountain syringes, etc., should be turned into the nearest medical supply depot (excepting
Washington and New York) by parcel post.

27. SERA (DIAGNOSTIC)

Diagnostic sera (agglutinating) should be obtained from the Army Medical School on
request sent direct to the commandant of that institution. (See par. 66.)

28. SILK (OILED)

The purchase of oiled silk is to be discontinued owing to the scarcity and prohibitive
price of this article. Oiled paper will be purchased and issued in lieu of the above.

29. SLIDES (GLASS)

These are imported and at present very difficult to obtain. Great economy should be
exercised in their use.

30. SPARK PLUGS

Attempt should not be made to repair spark plugs locally. It has been frequently
noticed that more damage has been done by ineffectual attempts at repair than through fair
wear and tear. Generally a spark plug that has not been tampered with requires only
thorough cleaning and renewal of insulating wax about the center electrode. Authority
should be requested to turn defective spark plugs into a supply depot for repair.

31. SPHYGMOMANOMETER

Instructions should always be given the users of all types of aneroid instruments that
they will not stand rough usage, and steps should be taken to keep the manometer out of
the hands of inexperienced attendants, who frequently through curiosity try them out with
the usual disastrous results.

32. SYRINGES

Until further notice, the Lucr type syringes will be issued in the following sizes: 2-e. c. ,
10-c. c, and 30-c. c.

33. TANKS (SOAPSTONE, DEVELOPING)

The tank, developing, soapstone, is a large and expensive tank and will no longer be
issued. Only porcelain tanks will hereafter be issued.

34. TURPENTINE

It is evident that at some post the refined medicinal turpentine issued in bottles has
been used for the making of floor polish. In view of the fact that this bottled turpentine
is exclusively for medicinal use and costs very much more than the commercial turpentine
in cans, it should never be used as an ingredient of floor polish.

874 FINANCE AND SUPPIA'

35. TIN CONTAINERS

The attention of all medical officers is invited to the present shortage of tin. It has
become increasingly difficult to -obtain an adequate supply of tin containers for field supplies,
and it is directed, therefore, that all serviceable empty tin containers be returned to the
nearest supply depot by parcel post or mail.

Upon receipt of these empty tins the medical supply officers will have them refilled and
reissued upon approved requisition.

36. TYPEWRITING MACHINES (PACKING)

(a) These machines are sometimes received at depots packed in such way as to provoke
the comment of a supply officer that " the damage sustained in transit was such as to render
it impossible to repair the machine." Every care should be given this matter with a view
to securely fastening the carriage in place. Ribbon spools should be removed and wrapped
separately. The machine should be securely fastened to the bottom of the box in which it
is packed, using bolts or lunges for the purpose.

(6) Free repair to typewriters. — The Royal typewriters are purchased by the Medical
Department under the following guaranty:

Each typewriter is guaranteed to be a perfect working machine, and any broken or
defective parts not due to misuse, accident, or neglect will be replaced free of charge at any
time within two years from date of delivery.

It has been observed that numerous requests for repairs to typewriters have been
received in this office just after the two-year period has elapsed, in which cases it has been
necessary to have the repairs made at the expense of the Government. It is directed that
hereafter all new typewriter machines (Royal) be thoroughly gone over after they have been
in use about 18 months, and that a request for such repairs as are necessary be forwarded
to this office in time to obtain the benefit of the two-year clause mentioned above.

37. VETERINARY MEDICINES (CONSERVATION OF)

With the increase of knowledge it has become clear that the majority of drugs have no
economic value as therapeutic agents; in other words, they do not favorably influence the
course of disease to an appreciable extent.

In private practice drugs for veterinary use continue to be valuable in so far as they
impart to preparations in public demand certain features, such as odor or appearance.

The use of many nonessential drugs has become a habit; it therefore behooves veteri-
nary officers prescribing drugs at public cost, for public animals, to revise their therapeutics
and use only such drugs as are known to be valuable in an economic sense. The number
of the latter is small. In making requisition for drugs for veterinary use the minimum,
rather than the maximum, requirements should be estimated.

The value of a drug is to a great extent dependent upon its freshness, and the medical
Supply depots are not so inaccessible as to justify veterinary officers in stocking dispensaries
as one would provide against a seige.

It should be borne in mind that the temporary nature of everything military in time
of war renders the holding of large stocks of drugs injudicious and unnecessary.

It is well known to experienced members of the veterinary profession that it is the
inefficient practitioner who makes great show and use of drugs.

Pressure is frequently brought to bear by laymen upon veterinarians of the service to
prescribe powders of various kinds for what is known as "conditioning" purposes.

This practice should be discontinued as, in the absence of organic disease, any defect
in condition may as a rule be remedied by intelligent attention to stable management with
special attention to watering and feeding. If these are neglected, medicinal agents will not
make good the neglect. Even at the present time the superstitious devotion to drugging
of horses and mules amounts with many people to a fetish. It is for veterinary officers to
bring contemporary knowledge up to date, and absolutely refuse to prescribe needless drugs
at the request of those ignorant of such matters.

APPENDIX 875

The greatly increased cost of drugs, the large doses that are appropriate for horses as
compared with human beings, the enormous increase in public animals, are all factors that
contribute to the importance of putting into economical practice modern knowledge as
to the inefficiency for veterinary therapeutic purposes of the majority of drugs habitually
prescribed.

There has been issued a standard supply table for use of the Veterinary Corps. After
due deliberation and consultation it is believed the drugs listed therein are ample for vet-
erinary practice.

The ability of a practitioner may be judged from his deviation from this supply table
and the state of his mortality and incurable list.

38. WEB BELTS

Belts, web, medical officers' (par. 864), and belts, web, enlisted men's, Medical Depart-
ment (par. 865), are now the property of the Medical Department.

Belts, web, medical officers' (par. 864), will hereafter be issued to officers on memoran-
dum receipt. One copy of receipt will be forwarded to the Surgeon General's Office, by
receiving officer; the accountable officer will forward one with his return of medical prop-
erty as authority to drop same, retaining a copy for his file. When a medical officer is
separated from the service the web belt in his possession will be turned in to the nearest
accountable medical supply officer, who will give receipt for same, one copy to be for-
warded to the Surgeon General's Office and one retained. The property will be taken
up on his return.

An officer will not be relieved from responsibility for belts in his possession for which he
has given a memorandum receipt until he has returned the property to a proper accountable
officer.

Belts, web, enlisted men, Medical Department (par. 865), will be charged on Form 637,
A. G. O. The accountable officer will prepare invoices in duplicate on Form 28 MD. The
receiving officer will certify thereon that the belts? were received and charged on Form 637,
giving names of en lifted men. The duplicate receipt will censtitute the voucher on which
the accountable c ffieer will drop frcm his icterus the articles enumerated. When an enlisted
man is separated from the service, the responsible officer will prepare Form 28 in duplicate,
listing thereon the medical property in soldier's possession, and turn same over to an officer
accountable for medical property, who will take the property up on his return.

All belts now in possession of officers and enlisted men held by company or detachment
commanders on memorandum receipts will be dropped by the accountable officers after the
officer who signed the receipts complies with these instructions.

39. X-RAY

(o) Films. — It is advised that 5 by 7 inch films be used for the hands and feet.

(b) Plates. — Referring to paragraph 848, M. M. D., X-ray plates 11 by 14 inches will
no longer be issued. The Roentgenologist of the Army Medical School informed this office
that three sizes of X-ray plates are sufficient for all purposes, viz, 8 by 10 inches, 10 by 12
inches and 14 by 17 inches. After the present supply of 11 by 14 inch X-ray plates is
exhausted this size will not be furnished upon requisitions unless specifically emphasized,
and approved by this office.

(c) Tubes. — The metal parts of X-ray tubes are costly, and as long as they are in good
condition the tubes can be repaiied by simply building the glass around the metal. Any
punctured tube can be reblown. Authority should, therefore, be requested to turn into a
medical supply depot all punctured X-ray tubes. Metal parts that are in good condition,
unless they are of the old type with platinum target, should also be turned in to the supply
depot.

876

FIXANCE AND SUPPLY

FIELD EQUIPMENT

(See Notes)

Litters, combat equipment (pars. 866 and 867, M. M. D.) and camp infirmary equipment
(pars. 869 and 870, M. M. D.) will be issued as indicated below. The allowance of litters is
one for every 50 men, or major fraction thereof, of the authorized strength of the organizations.
It includes those issued to companies and those forming a part of the units mentioned herein,
all being usually carried on the combat wagons of other transportation of the organizations.

Organization

Camp
infirmary

Division headquarters and headquarters troop

Infantry regiment number

I Ieadq uarters company do

Supply company^ -do

Machine-gun company _ ,. _. -._ do

Battalion 1 .__ do

Infantry machine-gun battalion (3 companies) do

Infantry machine-gun battalion (4 companies) do

Artillery regiment, light (2 battalions). do

Headquarters company.. do

Supply company do

Battalion do _„

Artillery regiment, heavy (3 battalions) 'do

Headquarters company _ do._

Supply company -. do..

Battalion ..-do..

Trench mortar battery — do

Engineer regiment..." do

Headquarters do

Battalion .-do

Signal battalion do

Train headquarters and military police do

Ambulance company (par. 874, M.M. D.) — do

Field hospital company (par. 879, M. M. D.) — do

Total for division

a Forty-eight of these on ambulances.

Note 1. — Division headquarters, telegraph companies, balloon aero squadrons, companies, etc., should he equipped
with the following medical supplies in lieu of the regul ir combat equipment:

Desk, field, no. 2 (par. 941, M. M. D.)- number-
Lanterns, folding ... . ... do

latter with sling. _ . -_.do.-_

Box surgical dressings (par. 955, M. M. D.) do...

Wire cutter ... do._-

Ax, short handle ___. _. number _ 1

Bucket, g. i . do 1

Candles, coach, sixes pounds.. 1

Chest, medical and surgical (par. 932, M. M. D.)
number.. 1

Note 2. — Expendable articles pertaining to the combat equipment and to the camp infirmary should not be use*
while the troops are at the mobilization and concentration camps. Nonexpendable articles may be used when necessary.
Note 3.— Packsaddles will not be issued for use overseas; medical carts will be used instead.

SUPPLY LETTER NO. 24.

March 11, 1918.
Sir: Attention is invited to the following, and strict compliance with the instructions
and suggestions contained therein is directed:

BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS— TYPHOID VACCINE, ETC.

The commandant of the Army Medical School invites the attention of this office to the
great waste of triple typhoid vaccine. This material cost the Medical Department at least
$50 per liter, not including overhead charges; i. e., pay of officers and enlisted men engaged
in its manufacture, packing and shipping, and expressage. Many medical officers do not
seem to appreciate the money value of this vaccine, and the Army Medical School constantly
receives requisitions calling for amounts greatly in excess of actual requirements. A great
number of medical officers allow the time limit to expire, and even return the vaccine to the
Army Medical School, at great expense, by express, after it has become jvorthless and should
be destroyed.

The Army Medical School has shipped to the various camps since the draft enough
vaccine to vaccinate the present Army from two to three times.

APPENDIX 877

111 view of the large quantities of vaccine which are being allowed to pass the time limit
in the supply depots, it is evident that the instructions in Circular No. 16, S. G. O., March
■20, 1916, indicated below, are not being followed:

When for any reason a larger stock is on hand than appears to be needed, directions as
to its disposition will be obtained from the commandant, Army Medical School, upon
application to him direct, stating date of receipt of the vaccine.

As time-expired vaccine is being returned to the Army Medical School, attention is also
invited to the following quotation from Circular No. 16:

Stock over four months old will be destroyed when a new supply has been received.

In view of the above, all biological products will in the future be invoiced, receipted,
and accounted for, the same as other medical supplies. Medical officers are cautioned to
exercise the greatest economy in the use of this material. They should not ask for quantities
in excess of their needs within the time limit. In case an emergency arises requiring more
of this material, an additional supply may be obtained on telegraphic request.

Medical officers who have on hand a greater quantity of triple typhoid vaccine than is
required for immediate use should notify the commandant of the Army Medical School 30
days prior to the expiration date, so that it can be shipped to some other point where it may
be needed and its loss be avoided.

Any biological supplies which have become worthless on account of deterioration should
be placed before a surveying officer for his action in order to determine the responsibility for
the loss resulting from failure to comply with these instructions.

LYE AND OTHER CLEANING MATERIAL

While this office approves the use of lye in proper quantities for the cleaning of hospital
floors, corridors, etc., the tendency everywhere to use an excessive quantity of this product
is noted. It is believed that a more satisfactory method of determining the quantity to be
used could be devised than to pour the lye from the can into a pail. It is suggested that a
can of lye be dissolved in a sufficient quantity of water and that the minimum quantity of
this solution per pail of water to obtain the results desired should be determined experi-
mentally. The lye solution should then be made up in bulk and instructions issued those
concerned with the cleaning as to exactly how much of the solution to put in each pail of
water.

The same plan should also be applied to the soap used for cleaning purposes.

This office does not intend to limit the quantity of supplies rightfully used, but it
must call upon division surgeons and all others having control of the expenditure of these
supplies to see that there is no waste. Waste does not necessarily mean the throwing out
of unused materials, but applies equally well to the using of larger quantities to obtain
results than are really needed.

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS

Owing to the fact that requisitions for electrical apparatus for use with the electrical
current available at the hospital frequently fail to specify the kind of current on which the
apparatus is to be used, or give incomplete data, much unnecessary correspondence is
required, thereby causing delay in filling the requisitions. In the future all requests for
electrical apparatus for use on the current available at the hospital will specify the type of
current (a. c. or d. c), voltage, cycle, and phase.

MEDICAL PROPERTY, UNSERVICEABLE, DISPOSITION OF

Referring to section 18 of "Consolidated Supply Letters, Nos. 1 to 23, inclusive," all
property to be turned in to regular medical supply depots, except as provided under section
17 (a), should be regularly invoiced and receipted for.

In view of the establishment of a reclamation division of the Quartermaster Corps, at
the various posts, camps, cantonments, and other units of the army, the following directions
should apply:

878 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

All articles of unserviceable property pertaining to the mobile army hcrtofore "de-
stroyed," "broken up," or "sold " on inventory and inspection reports, or "destroyed " on
survey reports, except animals, and that which must be disposed of at once for sanitary
reasons, will be turned over on inventory and inspection reports and survey reports under
paragrapli 717, Army Regulations, to the reclamation officer. The inventory and inspection
reports will show the property in a column "To be turned in for salvage," and will, upon
completion by the inspector, without approval, be a valid voucher for the accountable
officer to drop" it from his return. Unserviceable expendable articles will not be destroyed
but will be turned over, with a list of the same, by the responsible officers to the
reclamation officer,

atid in view of the establishment of these reclamation units, section 18 of the Consolidated
.Supply Letters is accordingly modified.

Nothing in the provisions of the above paragraph should, however, be construed to
invalidate the provisions of paragrapli 1488, Army Regulations, 1913.

ACCOUNTABILITY (RETURNS OF MEDICAL PROPERTY)

Referring to section 1 (b) of " Consolidated Supply Letters, Nos. 1 to 23, inclusive,"
attention is invited to the following:

Much additional time is required in handling vouchers on account of the signature of
the officer being illegible. The name of the officer signing the paper should in all cases be
typewritten under his signature, or in the brief of the voucher, unless the signature is clearly
legible. In this connection attention is called to the provisions of paragraph 779, Army
Regulations.

Invoices and receipts should both be promptly forwarded, as required by paragrapli
496, Manual for the Medical Department, 1916, and the articles mentioned in such vouchers
and also in the returns of medical property should be listed in the same order, and under
the same name, as shown in the supply table of the Manual for the Medical Department,
as required by paragraph 475.

The name of the issuing officer should in all cases be given on the brief of the receipts
for medical property, in order that there may be no uncertainty in this office to whom
credit for the transfer should be given.

Articles must be entered upon all requisitions, invoices, and receipts, also upon property
returns, in the following order:

1. All articles of regular issue in accordance with the arrangements of the supply
table;

2. Additional articles as follows:

(a) Drugs, medicines, and antiseptics.
(6) Stationery.

(c) Miscellaneous hospital supplies.

(d) Surgical instruments and appliances.

(e) Labortory supplies (including chemicals).
(/) X-ray supplies.

If this procedure is followed, the time required in chocking requisitions, vouchers, and
the returns will be materially reduced and the procedure simplified. It is therefore enjoined
upon all officers to see that these instructions are strictly followed.

Officers who are accountable for post, field, dental, and veterinary supplies should keep
each in a separate section of the property return, but vouchers pertaining thereto should
be numbered in one series.

INVOICES (DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN INVOICE AND QUANTITY OF

SUPPLIES RECEIVED)

The following additional instructions are issued in connection with section 176 of Con-
solidated Supply Letters, Nos. 1 to 23, inclusive:

Numerous cases have occurred in which officers on receipt of property, part of which
is missing, have altered the receipt by striking out the articles not received.

APPENDIX 879

This procedure is not contemplated by Army Regulations, and it entails unnecessary
correspondence on the part of both this office and the issuing depot.

The proper procedure in such cases, where property is not received within a resonable
time, is to call for the action of a surveying officer. Testimony from the issuing officer
should in all cases be called for and taken into consideration before conclusions are reached
by the surveying officer. In this connection attention is called to the provisions of law
that when a transportation company accepts property for transportation it becomes respon-
sible for its safe delivery and is not to be relieved of such responsibility on account of
faulty packing.

Unless the issuing officer is found to be responsible for the shortage, the receiving
officer should receipt in full for the property issued and use the report of survey as a
voucher for dropping the missing articles from his return of medical property, and the value
of the lost or damaged property should be charged to the transportation company.

In this connection see paragraphs 668, 712, and 721, Army Regulations.

PENCILS, HAIR, AND POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE

Notwithstanding sections 21 and 23 of Consolidated Supply Letters, Nos. 1 to 23,
inclusive, reports are constantly received at the various depots that hair pencils and potas-
sium permanganate have not been furnished upon approvel requisitions or that they are
missing from chests, etc.

Although requisitions may be approved and sent to the depots for issue which may
include these articles, they will for the present not be furnished.

When found short in the various chests, etc., issued, this shortage should not be
reported to the issuing officer.

SUPPLY LETTER NO. 25

May 7, 1918.

CONSERVATION IN THE USE OF ENVELOPES

The Post Office Department has advised that it is experiencing increasing difficulty in
securing sufficient envelopes for Government business. It is therefore urged upon everyone
to be as economical in the use of envelopes as is possible in properly carrying on the depart-
ment's business.

Where more than one communication is sent to a certain individual or office in one day
one envelope should be used wherever possible for all. For internal or interdepartmental
business, envelopes should not be used, except in the case of confidential matter. For
communications, not confidential, between offices at the various camps, etc., where these
offices are not located under the same roof, large, heavy manila envelops may be used, not
to be sealed, and to be returned to the sending office for use again.

SUPPLY LETTER NO. 26

June 29, 1918.

CONSERVATION OF GAUZE AND OTHER SURGICAL SUPPLIES

1. In view of the enormous increase in the requirements for gauze bandages and other
surgical supplies, every effort should be made to reduce the amount of these supplies used
in the operating rooms, dressing rooms, and wards.

2. The gauze and bandages can be washed and sterilized for reuse, and this should be
done repeatedly as long as they can be used. They should be made in the most advanta-
geous size and shape for conservation. Rubber gloves which have been punctured or have
small holes should be patched and tested for leaks and sterilized. Where repairs have been
repeatedly made and the gloves are not considered safe for major operative work, they may
be used for assistants and ward dressing. Catgut can be conserved by adopting an econom-
ical method of tying. Adhesive plaster should be used as sparingly as practicable. Ether

880 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

may be conserved by using local anesthetics — novocain, procain, or apothesine wherever
practicable.

3. Conservation of surgical supplies has already been undertaken in some of the base
hospitals, and the results have been most satisfactory. One of these hospitals reports for
April, 1918, that 282 operations were performed, and that the amount of supplies used was
less than one-third of the previous month. (See attached report.)

4. While the varying equipments of different hospitals may modify the method used
for the reclamation of gauze and bandages, the following method is suggested: Each surgical
ward and dressing room should be equipped with two galvanized iron buckets with a cover,
lined by a paper bag, in one of which should be put all blood-stained and slightly soiled
dressings; in the other, pus-stained dressings. These buckets should be taken twice daily —
oftener, if necessary — to the room where dressings are washed. If no laundry equipment
or laundry machinery, is available, the gauze and bandages can be washed by hand, using
heavy rubber gloves for this purpose. Previous to washing the slightly stained and blood-
stained dressings should be soaked for 12 hours in cold water containing one-tenth per cent
of chloride of lime; the pus-stained dressings in a solution containing one-tenth of 1 per
cent chloride of lime and one-half of 1 per cent washing soda. If washed by hand, these dress-
ings should be boiled for at least one hour. Where laundry machinery is available, or in the
larger hospitals which are now being furnished with equipment for the reclamation of reuse
knitted gauze, ordinary gauze and bandages may also be reclaimed. The gauze and bandages
should be put in mesh bags, soaked for 12 hours as directed above, boiled for 1 hour, trans-
ferred to the washing machine and, if a rotary tumbler is available, can be dried in the bags
in this tumbler. If this is not available, gauze and bandages can be passed through a
wringer and hung on lines to dry. After drying, dressings should be sorted, folded, put in
packages and sterilized in the ordinary way for 30 minutes at 15 to 30 pounds pressure on
two successive days. Careful bacteriological tests should be made from time to time to test
its sterility.

5. This office desires practical suggestions for the best methods of reclaiming absorbent
cotton for reuse.

6. It is only by the cooperation of the surgical staff of each hospital that the desired
conservation of supplies can be brought about. You should, therefore impress upon the
medical officers the necessity for the utmost care in the use of these supplies, and for
careful supervision of such use by their subordinates.

7. It is directed that a monthly report of the amount of gauze, bandages, cotton,
rubber gloves, catgut, adhesive plaster, and anesthetics used, be returned to this office, with
the supplemental report of surgical operations directed in the letter from the Surgeon
General's Office, March 20, 1918.

8. This office has made somewhat extensive investigations, with a view to developing
satisfactory substitutes for absorbent cotton and gauze and gauze bandages. Certain
satisfactory wood-fiber substitutes for cotton have been f und and one of these, known as
"Cellucotton," is now being provided in large quantity.

Crimped paper landages are also being tried, and reports to this office indicate that
they are Just as good as gauze bandages in all " dry " cases.

These substitutes cost just about one-half as much as absorbent cotton and gauze
bandages. The lower cost, however, is not the only advantage to be derived from the use
of these substitutes. It opens up another source of supply and makes it easier for the
supply division of this office to meet the overseas demand for surgical dressings.

It is, therefore, directed that, wherever possible, substitutes for cotton and gauze and
gauze bandages be used. Requisitions for these articles should be made in the usual way.

Report From A Cantonment Hospital For April, 191S

June 29, 1918.
Amount of supplies used during the month of April:

Gauze: 600 yards, drawn from the supply room, of which amount 350 yards are still
on hand for daily dressings; making a total wastage for the month of 250 yards.

APPENDIX 881

Before undertaking conservation, the average monthly wastage was 3,000 yards,
making a saving in this one hospital for one month of 2,750 yards.

Cotton, absorbent; 2 pounds, used by anesthetists.

Cellucotton: 14 rolls.

Rubber gloves: 30 pairs used. All now serviceable and in daily use.

Catgut, chromic and plain: 312 tubes — a fraction over one tube for each operation.

This saving was accomplished by using instruments for tying. (Similar to the method
described by Grant.)

Ether: 421 cans, used for 260 cases of general anesthesia.

Adhesive plaster: 42 spools.

At this hospital the following orders were issued concerning the making of dressings:

Empyema pads shall be made as follows:

1. Cellucotton or old gauze or old cotton, 8 by 6; gauze covers, 18 by 18.

Abdominal pads for first dressings, to be used in hospital, shall be made as follows:

1. Cellucotton or resterilized gauze, 8 by 6; gauze covers, 10 by 18.

Sponges for operations shall be made as follows:

1. Single layer of gauze, 24 by 18, folded so as to make sponge 4 by 4.

Abdominal pads or sponges shall be made as follows:

1. Gauze shall be folded so as to make a sponge or pad 9 by 12.

2. All sponges shall have a tape 6 inches long attached to one corner and an iron ring
(harness) attached.

All dressings must be saved, rewashed, and will be sent back to operating room after
going through high-pressure sterilization.

All dressings must be sterilized twice after being double wrapped.

SUPPLY LETTER NO. 27

August 8. 1918.

RECEIPTS FOR MEDICAL PROPERTY ISSUED

This office has received complaints from supply depots that receipts for medical
property issued by them are returned to them with check marks opposite the various items
on the receipt. As these receipts are to be checked item by item, both at the depots and in
this office, they should be sent in without check marks. The body of these receipts are
ordinarily carbon copies of the issuing officer's invoice, and in case the receiving officer
desires to check the vouchers with the property actually received, such checking should be
(lone on his retained invoice and not on the receipt signed by him.

EXTRA SECTIONS FOR FILING CABINETS

Requisitions for extra sections for filing cabinets, etc., should state, in all cases, the
kind of filing cabinet on hand, giving the name of the manufacturer and, if possible,
catalogue number. This information is required by the purchasing officer so that he may
Supply the proper additional sections.

WEB BELTS

Paragraph 38, Supply Letters Nos. 1 to 23, inclusive, is revoked, and the following
instructions substituted therefor:

Belts, web, medical officers' (par. 864), and belts, web, enlisted men, Medical Department
(par. 865), are now the property of the Medical Department.

Belts, web, medical officers' (par. 864), will hereafter be issued to officers on memorandum
receipt. One copy of receipt will be forwarded to the Surgeon General's Office by receiving
officer; the accountable officer will forward one with his return of medical property as
authority to drop same, retaining a copy for his file. When a medical officer is separated
from the service, the web belt in his possession will be turned in to the nearest accountable
30663—28 -56

g82 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

medical supply officer, who will give receipt for same, one copy to be forwarded to the
Surgeon General's Office and one retained. The property will be taken up on his return.

An officer will not be relieved from responsibility for belts in his possession for which
he has given a memorandum receipt until he lias returned the property to a proper
accountable officer.

Belts, web, enlisted men, Medical Department (par. 865), will be charged on Form 367,
A. G. O. The accountable officer will prepare invoices in duplicate on Form 28 M. D.
The receiving officer will certify thereon that the belts were received and charged on Form
637, giving names of enlisted men. The duplicate receipt will constitute the voucher on
which the accountable officer will drop from his returns the articles enumerated. When an
enlisted man is separated from the service, the responsible officer will prepare Form 28 in
duplicate, listing thereon the medical property in soldier's possession, and turn same over
to an officer accountable for medical property, who will take the property up on his return.

All belts now in possession of officers and enlisted men held by company or detachment
commanders on memorandum receipts will be dropped by the accountable officers after the
officer who signed the receipts complies with these instructions.

DENATURED ALCOHOL

It is directed that no further purchases of denatured alcohol be made without special
authority from this office. Ethyl alcohol is cheaper and may be substituted for the
denatured alcohol wherever the use of the latter is authorized.

GAUZE SPONGES

Owing to the great increase in the cost of sponges, gauze, no further issues thereof will
be made after the present stock is exhausted. Cellucotton sponges, prepared locally will
be substituted for venereal prophylaxis work and for all other purposes for which the
gauze sponges of the supply table have hitherto been used.

REQUESTS FOR PURCHASES

In making requests for purchases, the cost must, in all cases, be stated.

SUPPLY LETTER NO. 28

October 9, 1918.

1. SPECIFICATIONS FOR FLOOR OILS

Oils purchased by the Medical Department for hospital floor uses should conform as
nearly as possible to the following specifications:

The oil is to be a pure, heavy mineral oil; that is to say, it must be totally free of all
fatty oils and waxes, tar oil, rosin oil, or rosin, etc. :

1. It is to be clear and of a color not darker than light brown.

2. It is to be odorless, or, at most, to possess not more than a faint kerosenelike odor.

3. It is to be of neutral reaction.

4. Its viscosity at 20° C. is to be not less than 4, compared with distilled water. Other
characters being equal, preference will be given to oil of high viscosity.

5. It is to contain not more than 2.75 per cent by weight of light (volatile) oils,
determined by heating the oil on the steam bath in the open dish during six hours.

2. RED CROSS SUPPLIES

All supplies received from Red Cross organizations for use of Medical Department ot
the Army will be taken up and accounted for on returns of medical property.

A list of the articles received will be forwarded to the Surgeon General's Office.

Request for Red Cross supplies must be approved by the commanding officer of
Medical Department organizations or division or camp surgeons of camps.

APPENDIX 883

3. QUOTING RECORD NUMBERS ON DISBURSEMENT VOUCHERS

All disbursement vouchers covering purchases on authority from this office must quote
the supply division record number, which will appear in the upper right-hand corner of
letters and at the beginning of telegrams.

4. PRICE ON METAL COVERS FOR ROYAL TYPEWRITERS

The contract price with the Royal Typewriter Co. for the fiscal year 1919 on typewriter
metal covers, as approved by the Treasurer of the United States, and appearing in the
schedule of supplies of the General Supply Committee, is as follows:

Metal covers for Royal Nos. 5 and 10, commercial carriage each- $,3. 00

Metal covers for Royal No. 10, with 14-inch carriage do 3. 50

Metal covers for Royal No. 10, with 18-inch carriage do 4. 15

These prices include baseboards.

5. CONSERVATION OF EMPTY BOTTLES

Due to the scarcity and great demand for all kinds of bottles, the following instructions
relative to the salvage of empty bottles will be complied with:

1. All empty bottles will be turned over to the medical supply officer at camps and
hospitals before turning in; these bottles will be thoroughly washed and dried.

2. The supply officer will carefully assort all bottles received and will make local issues
of reclaimed bottles whenever possible.

3. When large quantities have accumulated, report will be made to this office.

6. EMPTY BOXES

Empty packing boxes will be carefully taken apart with a nail puller and preserved for
future use; the sides, top, and bottom, when taken apart, should be fastened between the
ends by driving a few nails through the boards to keep them intact.

Where boxes of different sizes are received and sufficient storage space is available they
may be nested.

Report should be made to this office for proper disposition upon accumulation of a
carload of empty serviceable boxes.

7. REQUISITIONS

Articles appearing on both post and field supply tables will be applied for on post
requisitions only, with the following exceptions:

First-aid packets. — Litters and accessories, the accessories to consist of the following:
Poles, canvas, braces, straps, slings, tacks, screws, rings, studs.

8. ALLOWANCES OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR THREE MONTHS FOR
ORGANIZATIONS IN CAMPS

It is expected that the allowance of expendable articles will be sufficient to cover all
ordinary requirements for three months.

Nonexpendable articles will be replaced only as they become unservicable. Witli
proper care most of them should remain in servicable condition for several years.

When supplies are exhausted, or their exhaustion is imminent, a renewal thereof should
be asked for on special requisition forwarded to the division surgeon.

1. Allowance for one regiment of Infantry.

2. Allowance for one regiment of Artillery or Engineers.

3. Allowance for one machine-gun battalion (two companies).

4. Allowance for one machine-gun battalion (four companies).

5. Allowance for one signal battalion.

6. Allowance for one division headquarters.

7. Allowance for trains and military police.

8. Allowance for one regiment of Cavalry.

884 FINANCE AND SI'IM'I.Y

Allowance of medical supplies for three months for organizations in camps

Articles

Strength of organliat ions

I
3,834

MKPK INKS ANIi ANTISEI'TH'S
Acetphenetidiniim (phenacetin), 324-mgm. I ublots, 500 in bottle

,_ hollies

\ciouin aceivlsalicvlicum, :<-j4-iiieni. tablets, 5<K) in bottle, do

Aeidum borlcum, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle .00

.Kilior, U pound Id tin.. — - - - tl,,s

Alcohol ... .— ■ , — - f illl "" s

\pomon>hin,o hvdrochloriduui. 6-mgra. hypo, tablets, 20 in tube

_ _..... _* tabes

Argenti nitras crystals, 1 ounce in bottle bottles

Argenti nitras fusus, I ounce in bottle - - ™ —

Argyrol (or equivalent), 1 ounce in bottle. do

Atrophia- sulphas, o.«S-rapn. tiypo. tablets, 20 in tube. tubes..

Barbital, 324-mgm. tablets! BOO In bottle bottles

Bismuth! subcarbonas, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle-. ...do —

Capsicum, 82-mgm. tablets, 600 in bottle .. ...go.

Chloralum hydratum, 324-mgm. tablets,5(K) in liotile do. .

Chloroformum, K pound in tin -tins

Cocaines hydrocblorfdum, 10-mgm. hypo, tablets, 20 in tube .tubes

Codeina, 32-mgm. tablets, BOOin bottle... bottles

Collodiura, 1 ounce in bottle -- ■ --do.

Epinephrine hydrochloride, l-mgm. tablets, made soluble by the

addition of boric acid, 26 In tube v" 1 , ■

Olycerinum, 1 quart In bottle. .bottles

llc'xamcthvlonamiiia. V. 3. P. 32-i-iugin. tablet s, aim in bottle.. do.
Ilvdrarcvfi ohloridiim rorrosivum tablets (antiseptic (par. »02), 2:>D

in bottle - , .. -bottles

Hydrargyrl chloridum mite, 32-mgm. tablets, l.iwo in bottle, do

Ichthyolum (or equivalent), 3 ounces in bottle — -do

Iodoformum, U. S. P. X pound in bottle. do.

lodum-pntassii iodidum, in tube -tubes

Iodine swabs, « In boi boys

Liniment inn riihefaeiens, tablets (pat. 002), 25.1 in bottle. ..bottles

Liquor JormaJdehydi, 1 gallon In Jug .-}»gs

Magnesii sulphas, 1 pound in tin ... ........tins

Mlstura glvovrrlmie composita tablets (par. 11(12), 1.IMS0 in buttle
* * _ ___ , bottles..

Morphinie sulphas:

8-mgm. hypo, tablets, 20 In tube tubes

g-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle bottles

Nitroglycerin, o.B5-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle — — do —

Normal saline solution, tablets (par. 908), 100 in bottle . -do —

Oleum ricini, 1 quart in bottle ..do

Oleum terebinthinae rectlflcatum, 1 quart in bottle — — -do —

Petrolatum. 1 pound in tin — . .tins

Phenol, H pound in bottle .bottles

Phenylls salievlas, 324-mgm. tablets, 600 in bott.e.. ... .do...

Piluli'e alnini eompositie (or tablets) (par. 111)2). 500 in bottle .do

Pilllla? rathartieiec ipositie, 1,000 in bottle

Pilulte ferri carbonatls, 1,000 in bottle

Plumbl acetaa, 130-mgm. tablets, 800 In bottle

Potash iodidum. 324-mgm. tablets. 500 in bottle

Protargol (or equivalent). 1 ounce in bottle

Pulvis ipecacuanhas et opii, 324-mgm, tablets, ami in boitle
Quininss dihvlrocliioriduiii. 82-mgm. hypo, tablets. 20 in ttibe.tubes

Quinines sulphas, 200-mgm. tablets, 1,000 in bottle -bottles

Sapo mollis (green soap), impound bottle in ease.. . ..do...

Sodli bicarbonas, 324-mgm. tablets, l.OOOin bottle.. . .. .do

Sodii bicarbonas et mentha piperita (par. 002), tablets, 1,000 in bottle

bottles.

Sodii bromidum. V. 8. P. 324-mgm. tablets, soo in A. C. bottle with

stopper paraffined .- -Dottles.

Sodii carbonas monohydratus, lor surgical use, ' 2 pound in bottle

bottles

Sodii salieclas. .'121-lllgln. table tS, 600 in bottle . do...

Spirit us ammonia' aromatictts, ' 2 pound in bottle..- ..do...

Strophanthiniini 0.5-mgm. hypo, tablets, 20 in tube tubes

Strychninip sulphas, l-mgm. hypo, tablets, 20 in tube.. .... -do —

Sulphur lotum, i pound In tin or carton — tins

Tinctura opii, H pound in bottle bottles

Trochiscl aminonii chioridi, 250 in bottle ..do..

Vnguentiiiii hydrargyrl, 10 per cent, mercury with Petrolatum base

tins..

riigiienitim hydrargyrl chioridi mitis, :«) per cent., H pound In

bottle . . bottles

Zinci oxidum, powder, 14 pound in bottle, tin or carton ...do —
Zinci sulphas, 324-mgm. tablets, BOO in bottle do

do...

do

do.

do

do

6
4
li
5

200
1110

20
20

00

..II

i

«

10

50
4

2

1

I

2
1

I

8
4
2
8

2
3

2

3
2
3

3
100
50

10

1(1

30

13

12
2
1
1
9
8
12
12
2
6
3
2
2
2

Is

:i

4
4
12
4

2

3

1
3

25
1

3

20
2

293

4

770

5
188

2

3
2
3
4

l
1

:

i
i

i

!

2

1
4

2,202 1,902

Note— This table supersedes, that contained on pages 22, 23. 24 and 25, Supply Loiters Xos. 1 to 23, inclusive

APPENDIX SSf)

SUPPLY LETTER NO. 29

December 10, 191S.

FORMULA FOR NEUTRAL SOAP TO RE USED IN ALL WASHING MACHINES

1. This soap is to be prepared in the following manner:

Use 50 per cent of Wyandotte laundry soda or any other good washing soda to 50 per
eent of neutral chipped soap. To 5 gallons of water, add 1 pound of chipped washing soap
and 1 pound of laundry washing soda. Permit this to boil slowly for a period of from 40
minutes to 1 hour. In weight this will make about 89 pounds of semipaste.

To 50 pounds of linen use 7 gallons of water and 3 pints of the above-named soap or
semipaste. This will produce soapsuds to cleanse this amount of linen thoroughly.

PROMULGATIONS, GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, A. E. F., CONCERN-
ING THE PROCUREMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPLIES

[Corrected copy]
General Orders, No. 8.

Headquarters American Expeditionary Forces,

France, Jul;/ ••>, 1917.
The tables hereto attached show the present distribution of staff duties of the head-
quarters of the American Expeditionary Forces. The information given in these tables is
not to be communicated, either directly or indirectly, to the press or to any person not
holding an official position in the military service

The distribution of stuff duties in the headquarters of divisions, army corps, and other
commands subordinate to these headquarters will conform in principle to the distribution
of duties shown in these tables.

The distribution of duties within each staff department at these headquarters and the
assignment of personnel to such duties will be regulated by the chief of the staff department
concerned.

The object of these tables is to form a basis of coordinated action between the several
staff departments in a command. They have been prepared after a comprehensive study of
the staff organization of the French and British armies, and arc intended to adapt the
requirements of modern field conditions to our own staff system. This will serve as a guide
to all concerned.

By command of Major General Pershing:

James G. Harbord,
Lieutenant Colonel, General Staff,

Chief of Staff.
Official:

Benj. Alvord,

Adjutant General.

886

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

ORGANIZATION OF HEADQUARTERS, AMERICAN' EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

Table I

Commanding general (personal staff)

General staff

Chief of staff

Assistants to the chief of staff

Secretary to general staff

(fable I-AJ

Administrative policy section
(Table ll-A)

Intelligence section (Table ll-B)

Operations section (Table IhC)

Training policy section (Table II— DJ

Coordination section (Table ll-E)

Administrative and technical staff (Table IV)

Commandant headquarters
(Table III)

Headquarters troops, provost
and other guards

Billeting, headquarters messes,
transportation, and property

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Table II (A). — General Staff Administrative Section-
policy

1. General matters of administrative policy.

2. Administrative staff organization.

3. Replacements.

Al'l'KXDIX 887

4. Evacuation of sick and wounded.

5. Ratio of combat troops to Line of Communications troops.

6. Supplies.

7. Possibilities of production and transportation in connection with contemplated
operations.

8. Operations of railways in France.

9. Priority of supply shipments and locality of purchase.

10. General weighing and balancing of demands and requirements in men and materials
from the standpoint of operations section.

11. Recommends decisions on general policy on above-mentioned matters.

12. Preparation of cablegrams and letters stating matters of administrative policy.

13. Liaison with technical and administrative services on questions of policy.

14. Details of organization and equipment of Line of Communications and transporta-
tion department troops and services.

* ******

Table II (E). — General Staff Coordination Section

1. Coordination of staff work on matters of administrative policy.

2. Supervision of the application of administrative policies throughout the command.

3. Compilation of the current and prospective state of supply, construction, and
transport in the command.

4. Preparation of graphics showing the state of supply, construction, and transport in
the command.

5. Compilation of current information on the execution of all administrative policies
throughout the command.

6. Settlement of details and coordination and supervision of the execution of the general
administrative policies decided upon.

7. Coordination of supply and transportation arrangements for combat.

8. Coordination of supply on all items in which shortage exists.

9. Orders for assignments of new units.

10. Organization lists of American Expeditionary Forces (order of battle).

* ******

Table IV. — Technical Administrative Section

* ******

medical corps

Sanitation of camps, quarters, and occupied territory.
Health of command.
Care of sick and wounded.

Collection and evacuation of sick and wounded.
Medical personnel.
Medical supplies.
Veterinary personnel.
Veterinary supplies.
Laundries and baths (medical aspect).
Disinfection of clothing, etc.

Supply of personnel and material for gas defensive under supervision of director of gas
service.

Technical inspection of medical organizations and establishments.

* ******

COMMANDING GENERAL, LINE OF COMMI NICATIONS

Service of territorial command in the zone of the Line of Communications.
Supply, sanitary, and telegraph service in the zone of the Line of Communications.
Until further orders all construction work in the zone of the Line of Communications.

888 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Note. — Upon receipt of this order each head of each of the above-mentioned services
will submit detailed chart showing subdivision of duties in his department and proposed
personnel.

General Orders, No. 4)5.

Headquarters American Expeditionary Forces,

France, September 30, 1917.
The following instructions on the subject of supplies are published for the information
and guidance of all concerned:

1. The regular, prompt receipt of supplies is one of the prime necessities for the good
administration of any command. The officer whose mind is distracted by the lack of food,
clothing, or munitions, or by worry as to whether such supplies will arrive in time for his
needs, is not free to devote his energies to the training of his men nor to the defeat of the
enemy. Owing to a situation which could not be foreseen when the P. S. R. were written,
conditions are such that some changes have had to be made in the organization of the staff
and Line of Comunications, as contemplated in those regulations. The new organization is
shown in General Order No. 8 (corrected), a careful study of which is necessary to grasp its
detail and to insure a proper coordination of effort as regards supply and construction. The
regulations hereinafter given are explanatory of the methods of procedure under the organi-
zation adopted.

2. Supply depots and establishments of the Line of Communications and the personnel
thereof are under the command of the commanding general, Line of Communications, who is
responsible for their administration, discipline, police, safety, and sanitation. He is also
responsible that prompt notice of any shortage or probable shortage is brought to the atten-
tion of the chief of the staff department, A. E. F., concerned.

3. The responsibility for the procurement of all supplies of any class rests with the chief
of the staff department, A. E. F., concerned, who will procure everything possible in Europe,
sending to the United States only for such items as can not be obtained in Europe. Each
chief will exercise a strong technical control and supervision over all the establishments of
his department throughout the theater of operations. This control will be exercised through
his representative on the staff of the commanding general, Line of Communications, as far
as Line of Communications establishments are concerned. The chief of each staff department,
A. E. F., will submit immediately, for approval, lists showing the kind and quantity of
supplies that will be kept on hand in the various depots of the Line of Communications as
the proper supply under the provisions of paragraph 1, confidential memorandum, August
7, 1917, these headquarters. These lists will, upon approval, be the guide for the commanding
general, Line of Communications, who is charged with keeping the full stock of supplies on
hand in his depots. Changes in these lists will be made from time to time as better infor-
mation is obtained as to the exact needs of our forces, and these changes when approved
will govern.

4. Each chief of staff department may submit for approval lists of special or unusual
supplies not normally issued in accordance with existing orders or regulations, and after
such lists are approved organization commanders are authorized to requisition for these
supplies directly upon the depot supplying them. All other requisitions for materials or
supplies for organizations or for works will be submitted to the chief of the staff department
concerned, who will arrange for their issue. When new troops are due to arrive or when at
any time the chief of staff department can foresee a need for materials or supplies, he should
anticipate the needs of the organizations concerned and take the necessary steps to have the
materials or supplies delivered in advance of requisitions.

5. Whenever there is any shortage in an important article of material or supply in
transportation facilities and the necessity arises for coordination of issues, the determination
of amounts to be issued and the distribution thereof will be fixed by the coordination section,
general staff, after consultation with the chief of the department concerned, until normal
conditions are restored.

APPENDIX 889

6. Whenever articles not on the automatic supply basis are issued from any depot from
the stock on hand in depot, the issuing officer will send a copy of the lists of materials
issued, stamped across the face "For replacement," to the chief of his department, Line of
Communications, and this list or issue slip will have the force of a requisition. The
necessary steps will then he taken to replace issues either by direct delivery from primary
sources or by transfer from another depot farther to the rear, where the actual replacement
will be made. Routine issues of articles which are on the automatic supply basis will be
forwarded periodically from the rear depots to the advance depots and thence to the troops,
under instructions of the commanding general, Line of Communications, without requisition,
and notice of the issue of such articles need not be made by the issuing depot. The
principle of automatic supply will be applied as far as practicable to all articles of regular
issue.

7. The chief of each staff department on the Line of Communications is immediately in
charge of the depots and establishments of the Line of Communications, and it is his
function to keep informed as to the kind of materials and supplies on hand; and, so far as
such authority may be delegated to him by the chief of his department, A. E. F., to make
requests on the representative of his department on the general purchasing board for
replacements that can be obtained in Europe. All requisitions for supplies and materials
to come from the United States and all exceptional purchases in Europe will be made or
approved by the chief of the department, A. E. F.

8. No purchases of supplies, other than emergency purchases for his own office, or such
materials as the staff officer of the Line of Communications is authorized to require of him,
will be made by the purchasing officer of the general purchasing board, except as authorized
by the chief of his department, A. E. F. The purchasing agent or disbursing officer is not,
in general, concerned with the initiation of purchases or with the state of supplies in the
depots. His function is to purchase and inspect the supplies ordered, to provide for their
transportation to France, and to pay for them.

9. The officer in charge of each supply depot will keep the chief of his department,
Line of Communications, periodically informed as to the stock on hand in his depot, and
will issue supplies on requisitions approved by the chief of his department, Line of Commu-
nications, or such supplies as are authorized for automatic issue. Requisitions coming to
the chief of any department, A. E. F., will after approval be sent to the corresponding chief,
Line of Communications, for filling.

10. When supplies are issued from depots to troops, or for construction work, the
receiving officers will receipt for the supplies on the usual forms, with a notation showing
the organization or the work for which the supplies or materials are to be used. No further
formal accounting for the supplies or materials will be required from the receiving officer
(F. S. R., par. 370). The same care will be taken of all equipment supplies and materials,
and the same economy in their use will be observed as if a formal accounting were required.
Commanding officers are charged with the duty of seeing that neither men nor organizations
of their command waste, make misuse of the supplies, materials, or equipment furnished to
them, or accumulate a surplus thereof. Organizations or individuals demanding much in
excess of the average amounts required by other like units under similar conditions will be
investigated, and proper action taken if waste, misuse, or undue accumulation is discovered.

11. Each chief of staff department, A. E. F., will arrange for periodic technical inspec-
tions of the establishments of his department, in all parts of the theater of operations, with
a view to checking any unauthorized use or abuse of equipment, supplies or materials, or any
undue accumulation of the same beyond reasonable needs.

By command of Major General Pershing:

James G. Harbord,

Colonel, General Staff, Chief of Staff.
Official:

Bknj. Alvord,

Adjutant General.
(For official circulation only.)

g90 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

General Orders, No. 73.

Headquarters American Expeditionary Forces,

France, December 12, 1917.

1. The supply of American troops in France is divided into three phases: The first is
the procurement of such supplies; the second is their care and storage; the third is their
transportation. The responsibility for the first lies with the chiefs of various supply depart-
ments, A. E. F.; for the second with the commanding general, Line of Communications; for
the third with the director general of transportation. The general supervision of all is
exercised by the general staff, as a rule, through the coordination section.

2. Chiefs of sup-ply departments. — The chiefs of supply departments, A. E. F., are respon-
sible for the procurement of all supplies, material, equipment, plants, establishments, etc.,
that may be necessary for the American troops in France. This is acomplished by purchase
or requisition in Europe or in the United States. (For full statement of their functions see
par. 3, General Order 43, H. A. E. F.)

3. Commanding general, Line of Communications. — The commanding general, Line of
Communications, through his several agencies, is responsible for the care and storage of
supplies, material, and equipment, for the construction, maintenance, and repair of all
agencies necessary to accomplish this purpose; for the manufacture, salvage, repair, and
cleaning of equipment. He is responsible that the supplies are distributed among the several
depots in accordance with the approved projects.

The commanding officer of each base and intermediate section, Line of Communications,
in addition to the other administrative, police, and sanitary functions assigned to him by the
commanding general, Line of Communications, is responsible for the administration of his
depots and for maintaining the proper stock of supplies, materials, and equipment therein,
in accordance with the approved project. When the shipment of supplies is authorized, it
is his duty to have them loaded into cars and to have the cars properly marked and turned
over to the representative of the transportation department.

The commanding officer, advance section, Line of Communications is responsible for the
administration, police, and sanitation of the territory in the advance section, including
supply depots, hospitals, remount depots, camps, prisons, etc. He establishes camps, hotels,
etc., in the neighborhood of regulating stations for the accommodation of troops remaining
overnight, and is responsible for the discipline, administration, and sanitation of the rail-
way personnel and construction troops of the transportation department in his zone, except
as regards their technical employment or their location.

4. The function of the Line of Communications is to relieve the combatant field forces
from every consideration except that of defeating the enemy. All agencies established for
that purpose belong to the Line of Communications unless otherwise specially assigned.

5. Director general of transportation: — The director general of transportation has charge
of the unloading of freight and troops from ships at points of debarkation and of the trans-
portation of all troops and supplies by rail, in accordance with instructions received from
proper authority. He is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of
such railroad lines and roiling stock as come within American control. He will have a
representative at each regulating station, at each group of supply depots, at each railhead,
and at each important railroad station, to facilitate military traffic. He is responsible
through his proper representatives, that all freight turned over to the transportation depart-
ment for transportation is promply delivered to its destination.

6. The railroad personnel in the advance section, Line of Communications are subject
to the orders of the regulating officer in so far as concerns their receiving, caring for, and
transporting troops and supplies and as regards priority of shipments. This control is
exercised through the proper railway officers. They are subject to the orders of the command-
ing officer advance section, Line of Communications, in all matters of discipline, sanitation,
and administration not involving questions of railway management. They are subject to
the orders of the director general of transportation in all matters pertaining to their tech-
nical work in the construction, operation, and maintenance of the railways, and as regards
there location or employment.

7. The agencies through which the troops in the zone of the armies are supplied from
the storage depots are the regulating stations and refilling points.

APPEXPIX 891

8. A regulating station is a large railway yard whore cars from the supply depots and
from the rear are received and made up into trains for the divisions. Usually a separate
train is provided for each division. Here also are received all express and mail for organi-
zations at the front. This is sorted in regulating station and distributed in separate cars
for each division and turned over to the transportation department for dispatch to
destination.

9. Troops coming into a regulating station arc detrained, if necessary, and reembarked
into trains which will take them to their proper divisions. Trains containing troops for a
single division are forwarded direct to destination.

10. The regulating officer is a member of the coordination section of the general staff.
He, as a rule, belongs to the headquarters of an army or a group of armies, but not to lesser
units. It is his duty to give all orders for the movement of troops and supplies in advance
of the advance depots and to follow the movements through to completion; the troops
to their proper destination, and the supplies until delivered to divisional supply officers,
or to supply officers of detached or nondivisional organizations. To him are sent all orders
for and information regarding the transportation of men and material in the advance section,
Line of Communications, and all notices of shipment of men or material to arrive
at the regulating station, either from front or from the rear. He must bo promptly
advised by army headquarters of any changes or movements at the front that will affect
the supply. He in turn must inform the railway officials in time for them to make
preparations for the contemplated move, and must take the necessary measures to insure
the proper supply.

11. He is kept in close touch with the headquarters of the arm} - to which it is
attached, by frequent visits and conferences. In certain questions which are reserved for
the decision of general headquarters communication is held direct between those head-
quarters and the regulating officer.

12. All the personnel engaged in transportation and handling of men, material or
supplies in the advance section, Line of Communications, are subject to the orders of the
regulating officer in all matters pertaining to these duties. (See also par. 6, above.)

13. Railheads and refilling points. — The railhead, as the name implies, is the point on
the railway at which the troops or supplies are discharged. The refilling point is the place
at which the division trains receive the supplies. The two may coincide. The personnel
at the railheads and refilling points are responsible to the regulating officer for the
unloading, care, and preservation of the freight, mail, and express until turned over to
the division trains. At or near the refilling point may be established a field base, or dump,
which is usually a temporary shelter where one day's supply of rations, fuel, forage,
gasoline, etc., may be kept to fill the division trains immediately upon their arrival, thus
avoiding long waits for late railway trains.

14. Evacuation stations. — For the reverse movements of personnel or supplies there
are evacuation stations and sorting stations. An evacuation station is a place for the
collection of men and material that have become unfitted for use in the front and for which
movement to the rear is contemplated. The personnel of these stations receive and care
for the personnel and material to be evacuated and at the proper time load them on trains
provided by the regulating officer. Orders for the evacuation of men or material are
ordinarily issued by the chief of staff, general staff, at army headquarters, which should
receive early notification of desired movements so that the regulating officer may have
time to provide for the amount and kind of rolling stock required. In action the officer in
charge of an evacuation station may call directly upon the regulating officer for the
necessary railway equipment to evacuate the wounded.

15. Sorting stations are railway stations to which evacuated men and materials are
sent from the evacuation stations and where they are sorted into their special classes
and thence shipped to their final destination in the rear. Sick and wounded are sent
to the various hospitals; worn out and broken material to shops along the line of
communications.

16. Classification and distribution of supplies. — All supplies desired by troops are, for
the purpose of this order, divided into four classes, viz; first, food, forage, and any other

g92 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

articles of automatic supply; second, shoes, clothing, and other similar equipment without
which the individual can not perform his functions as a soldier; third, articles of authorized
equipment, either for individuals or organizations, such as trucks, paulins, axes, shovels, etc.,
the absence of which, in small quantities, will not prevent the individual or organization
from performing its functions; fourth, all articles the distribution of which must depend
upon the character of future operations, and all items of an exceptional nature not part of
the equipment of troops, but necessary for their protection from the weather or the enemy.

17. Class 1 supplies will be obtained and distributed as follows:

(a) Regimental supply officers or supply officers of other independent organizations
will submit ration returns to the division quartermaster, or quartermaster of the organization
to which they are attached. He in turn will consolidate the returns. The division return
will be submitted to the local supply officer at the refilling point for filling.

(b) If for any reason any of the component parts of the rations demanded by the
division can not be supplied at the refilling point, the supply officer in charge there will
furnish the division supply officer with an order on any field base, or dump, which will be
honored upon presentation.

(c) The daily automatic supply is based on the actual strength of the division in men
and animals. Reports are made on the 10th, 20th, and the last day of each month by
headquarters of the division to the headquarters of the corps. Here they are consolidated
and corps troops are added and the same information is sent to the headquarters of the
army (chief of staff, general staff). Army headquarters then notifies the regulating officer by-
wire of the number of men and animals belonging to each division. The regulating officer
informs the various supply depots of the numbers for which the automatic supply is required,
indicating the division or detached or nondivisional organization for which the supplies are
required, by the proper symbol number.

(d) The various classes of supplies are then loaded into railway cars, properly checked
and rechecked, and each car is labeled on both sides with symbol number of the division, or
detached or nondivisional organizations, for which the supplies are destined. A list of the
contents of each car is posted in a conspicuous place in the car. Information regarding the
shipment is telegraphed to the regulating officer by the depot officer, and the regulating
officer then prepares schedules of the make-up of the trains for various divisions, gives them
to the representative of the transportation department, who will make up respective trains
and dispatch them to their destinations.

(e) On arrival at refilling point the train is promptly unloaded and the supplies required
for the division are immediately transferred to the division trains by the local supply officer,
or they are put under cover for issue the following day.

(/) The period elapsing from the date on which the division strength report is made
and date on which rations are drawn (one to four days) renders it imperative that, in
accordance with the adopted policy, a small stock shall be kept at, or near, the refilling
point in order to enable proper adjustments to be made.

18. In the case of bulk trains (full trainloads of forage, coal, etc.) arriving at regulating
stations, the following procedure will be observed.

To fill the demands of a division for such commodities, one or more railway cars, with
cargo corresponding to nearest weights demanded by the respective divisions, will be cut
from the trains, marked with the division symbol and turned over to the representative of
the transportation department for proper marshaling and dispatch. The contents of a full
car will not be broken.

19. This method will result in overissues or underissues, as the case may be, and will
require adjustment from day to day. A record book, with headings for plus or minus issues
and the amounts due to different organizations will be kept for making the adjustments in
further shipments.

20. Class 2, supplies (shoes, clothing, etc.):

(a) Requisitions are submitted by the company commanders and, upon consolidation
and approval by the regimental commander, are checked by the proper division staff officer
and sent directly to the proper advance depot.

APPENDIX 893

(b) The depot officer will inform the railway officials of the number and kind of cars
that lie will require to forward these supplies and the time and place he will want them
spotted for loading.

(c) The regulating officer keeps informed of these calls and if there is any necessity
therefor, arising from shortage of cars or special needs for other shipments, indicates the
order of priority. After the cars are placed by the railway personnel, they are loaded by
the depot personnel, and the procedure until they are delivered to the refilling points is as
heretofore described for carloads of class 1 supplies.

21. The accuracy, necessity for, and sufficiency of these requisitions rest upon the
regimental commander. The final responsibility rests with the division commander.

22. Class 3 supplies (wagons, trucks, axes, shovels, sanitary and hospital supplies,
equipment, etc.): These supplies arc requisitioned by the organizations in the manner
prescribed for class 2. These requisitions are received by the supply officers of the division
and are filled from any disposable supplies in the division. The remainder of the requisition
is forwarded to corps headquarters where a similar procedure is followed. The corps supply
officer, in consultation with the A. S. G. S., fills the needs from disposable supplies within
the corps parks, trains, or dumps, and the remainder of the requisition is forwarded to army
headquarters, where a similar procedure is followed.

23. The remainder of the requisition, which can not be furnished from the resources at
the disposition of the army are forwarded to the advance depots, Line of Communications,
where the procedure is the same as prescribed for articles of class 2.

24. Class 4 (ammunition, timber, etc.): Requisition for articles of this class are handled
in the same manner as described for those of class 3, except that after the articles which are
disposable within the army have been furnished, the remainder of the requisition is forwarded
direct from the army headquarters to the proper supply officer at general heaquarters, where
it is considered in connection with contemplated operations, and of the relative need of other
units. Final action is taken in consultation with the chief of staff, general staff.

25. In order to expedite the supply of these articles to the troops, certain amounts in
the depots, called credits, may be placed at the disposition of Army headquarters. Upon
these credits Army headquarters may draw without reference to general headquarters,
sending their requisition direct to the proper depot officer. Army headquarters should
inform the proper supply officer at general headquarters of such drafts upon the credits, in
order that he may know at all times the status of the credits. Action upon requisitions for
articles on which no credit has been established, and upon renewal of amounts withdrawn
from existing credits, is determined by the proper supply officer at general headquarters,
in consultation with chief of staff, general staff. When decision is reached the necessary
information is sent to the proper depot, with directions to forward the supplies or to renew
the credits as the case may be. Information upon all such points is also sent to the
regulating officer and to army headquarters. Army headquarters will also be informed if
the credit is not to be renewed immediately.

26. Corps troops and army troops send their requisitions direct to corps and army
headquarters, respectively, and a similar procedure is followed for each class of supplies as
outlined above.

27. Division commanders are hereby directed to detail an officer at each station at
which freight is received by that division where such an officer is not otherwise provided
to be known as the local supply officer of that refilling point. This officer will be charged
with the receipt and prompt unloading of all cars received at that station for American
troops. He will be warned of their arrival by the regulating officer and will make his
requisition upon the local commanding officer for the necessary troops to unload the cars
within 24 hours after they are placed for unloading. He will be charged with the proper
cleanliness of that part of the yard that may become littered up by American troops. The
necessary details of troops will be furnished him for both of these purposes. He will receive
his instructions from the regulating officer.

28. Until further orders, the 10-day reports called for in paragraph 17-c will be
submitted to commanding officer, advance section, Line of Communications, who will
promptly forward them to the regulating officer to serve as the basis of an automatic supply

894 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

until the figures are changed. Until further orders, requisitions for class 3 supplies will be
forwarded to the proper supply depots, requisitions for class 4 supplies will be sent to the
proper supply officer at general headquarters, from the division or other independent unit.
Requisitions submitted before December 20 will be acted upon under regulations heretofore
in force; after December 20 all requisitions will be submitted in accordance with the plans
herein outlined.

By command of General Pershing:

James G. Hahbord,
Brigadier General, Chief of Staff.
Official:

Robert C. Davis,
Adjutant General.

General Orders Xo. 13.

France, January 21, 191S.
II. 1. So much of paragraphs 4 and 9, General Order 43, these headquarters, 1917, as is-
in conflict with paragraphs 17a, b, c, 18, 20, 22 to 20, General Order 73, these headquarters,
1917, is revoked.

General Orders No. 20.

February 4, 1918.
IV. So much of paragraph 10, General Order Xo. 73, series 1917, as provides that the
regulating officer shall belong as a rule to the headquarters of an army or group of armies
is rescinded, and the following is substituted therefor: "The regulating officer is a member
of the coordination section of the general staff of these headquarters. He is the agent
through whom arc effected the supply and evacuations for each army or group of armies
assigned to his particular regulating station."

Headquarters American Expeditionary Forces,

Chief of Staff, General Staff,

France, January 9, 1918.
From: Commander in chief.

To: Commanding genera], Line of Communications.
Subject: Distribution of supplies.

1. The operations of the American Expeditionary Forces are now entering a phase
where each department and each officer thereof is going to bo tried by results, and no fail-
ure in supplies must be permitted to occur. Your attention is therefore invited, first, to
the question of procurement for which the chiefs of supply departments are primarily
responsible; second, to distribution of supplies for which subordinates of his department on
the Line of Communications are responsible; third, the transportation for which the

transportation department is responsible.

***** * *

3. While the commanding officer, Line of Communications, and his subordinates are
not responsible for the procurement of supplies, and while the chiefs of the various depart-
ments are supposed to keep track of the amount of supplies on hand, this does not relieve
the Line of Communications if it does not give adequate warning whenever there is a
possibility of shortage in sight. They know the requirements and are closer to the detailed
work than the chiefs of departments, and it should be their responsibility to sound the first
note of warning.

*******
By order of the Commander in Chief:

W. D. Connor,
Colonel, General Staff, National Army,

Chief of Section.

APPENDIX 895

[Confidential. Crrrected copy]
General Orders, Xo. 31.

General Headquarters,
American Expeditionary Forces,

France, February 16, 1918.

1. General Orders, No. 8, 1917, these headquarters, is revoked and the following is
substituted therefor.

2. The tables hereto attached show the distribution of staff duties of the general head-
quarters of the American Expeditionary Forces. The information given in these tables is not
to be communicated, either directly or indirectly, to the press or any person not holding an
official position in the military service.

The distribution of staff duties in the headquarters of divisions, army corps, and
other commands subordinate to these headquarters will conform in principle to the
distribution of duties shown in these tables.

The distribution of duties within each staff department at these headquarters and the
assignment of personnel to such duties will be regulated by the chief of the staff department
concerned.

The object of these tables is to form a basis of coordinated action between the several
staff departments in a command. They were originally prepared after a comprehensive
study of the staff organization of the French and British Armies, now revised as a result of
our own experience. They are intended to adapt our staff system to the requirements
of modern field conditions and will serve as a guide to all concerned.

3. The Line of Communications as herein reorganized will be known and designated
as the Services of Supply. The commanding general, Services of Supply, in addition to
his other duties will exercise all of those functions heretofore prescribed for the commanding
general, Line of Communications.

4. A service of utilities is announced. It will include the transportation department
the motor transport service, forestry service, and lumber and the production and all
construction under the commanding general, Services of Supply. The above services
will be coordinated by the chief of utilites under the commanding general, Services of
Supply.

5. The chiefs of the administrative and technical staff services, under their titles
and authority as members of the staff of the commander in chief, will exercise all of their
functions in the matter of procurement, supply, transportation and construction under
the direction of the commanding general, Services of Supply, by whom these activities
will be coordinated. The chief of each of these services is authorized, in his discretion,
to designate an officer of his service to represent him with each general staff section
at general headquarters.

6. The chiefs of services will so organize their offices that the efficiency of their
departments will not be impaired by necessary absences for conference with, or for other
duty assigned to them by, the commander in chief.

By command of General Pershing:

James G. Harbord,

Chief of Staff.
Official:

Benj. Alvord,

Adjutant General.

896

FINANCE ANT) SUPPLY

(G. O. 31.)
ORGANIZATION OF GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY

FORCES (G. H. Q., A. E. F.)

Table I

Commander in chief <C. in C.) (personal staff)

General staff (6. S.)

Chief of staff (C. of 8.)

Deputy chief of staff'D.C. of S.I

Secretary general staff (S, G. S.)

(Table l-A)

Assistant chief of staff (A. C. of S.)
First section (G, 1)

(Table ll-A)

Assistant chief of staff (A. C. of S.)
Second section (G. 2)

(fable 11-13)

Assistant chief of staff (A, C. of S.)
Third section (G. 3)

(Table ll-C)

Assistant chief of

Fourth section (G.

(Table

staff (A

4)

ll-D)

C.

ofS.)

Assistant chief of staff (A, C. of S.)
Fifth section (G. 5)

(Table Il-E)

(Table III)

1, Adjutant general (A, G.)

2. Inspector general (I, G.)

3. Judge advocate (J, A.)

4, Headquarters comman-

dant (H. Q. C.)

Chief of Artillery (C. of A.)
Chief of Tank Corps (C. of
T. C.)

Commanding genera!, Services of Supply (C. G, ( S. 0. S.)
(Table IV)

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APPENDIX 897

Table II (D). — General Staff

ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, FOURTH SECTION (G-4)

Supervises supply, construction, and transportation in France, including location of
railway and supply establishments.

Analyzes statistics concerning the above.

Guarantees supply and transportation arrangements for combat.

Supervises hospitalization and evacuation of the sick and wounded.

Supervises all operations of the Services of Supply not assigned to other sections of the
general staff.

Makes assignment of all new units arriving in France; of all labor and labor troops.

Table IV. — Services of Supply
(Commanding general, Services of Supply)

Transportation and construction.

Service of territorial command.

Supply, sanitary, and telegraph service, paragraph 368, F. S. R.

TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

(Medical Corps)
Hospitals.

Sanitary inspection.
Health of command.
Care of sick and wounded.

Collection and evacuation of sick and wounded.
Medical supplies.
Veterinary supplies.

Supply of personnel and material for gas defensive under supervision of director of Gas
Service.

Technical inspection of medical organizations and establishments.

General Order 44.

March 23, 1918.

1. General Orders, No. 43, series 1917, these headquarters, as amended bysection 11 (1),
General Orders, No. 13, current series, these headquarters, and General Orders, No. 03, series
1917, these headquarters, as amended by section 11 (2), General Orders, No. 13, and section
IV, General Orders, No. 20, current series, these headquarters, are hereby revoked and the
following is substituted therefor:

GENERAL PROVISIONS

(See General Orders, No. 74, 1918)

2. The regular and prompt receipt of supplies is one of the prime necessities for the
good administration of any command. The officer whose mind is distracted by the lack of
food, clothing, or munitions, or by worry as to whether such supplies will arrive in time for
his needs, is not free to devote his energies to the training of his men nor to the defeat of
the enemy. Owing to a situation which could not be foreseen when the F. S. R. were
written, some changes have had to be made in the organization of the staff and Line of
Communications as contemplated in those regulations. The new organization is shown in
General Order No. 31, current series, a careful study of which is necessary to grasp its details
and to insure a proper coordination of effort as regards supply and construction. The
regulations hereinafter given are explanatory of the methods of procedure under the
organization adopted.

30663—28 57

gQg FINANCE AND SUPPLY

3. The commanding general, Services of Supply, is responsible for the procurement of

all supplies, material, equipment, plants, and establishments necessary for the American
troops in France. This is accomplished by purchase or requisition, in Europe, or in the
United States. He is also responsible tor the care and storage of such supplies, material,
and equipment, and for their manufacture, salvage, repair, and cleaning, when necessary,
and for the construction, maintenance, and repair of all agencies necessary to accomplish
these purposes. He is responsible that the supplies, material, and equipment are maintained
and distributed amongst the several depots in accordance with approved projects. The
general supervision of all these functions is exercised by the general staff, as a rule, through

G-4 thereof. . .

4. He is charged with unloading of freight and troops from ships at all points of
debarkation, and with the transportation of all troops and supplies by rail therefrom, in
accordance with instructions received from general headquarters (G-4). He is responsible
for the construction, maintenance, and operation of such utilities as may be necessary to
accomplish these objects, including such French railroad lines and rolling stock as come
within American control.

5. He will have a representative of the transportation department at each regulating
station, group of supply depots, at each railhead, and at each important railroad station, to
facilitate military traffic, and he is responsible that all freight turned over to the transpor-
tation department for transportation is promptly delivered to its destination.

0. In these duties the commanding general, Services of Supply, is assisted by a technical
staff consisting of the chiefs of the various supply departments and technical services
hereinafter called the Services of Supply. Each chief of service will exercise a close personal
control and supervision over all the establishments of his department throughout the
theater of operations. They will each keep the approved projects up to date, and maintain
corresponding lists showing the kind and quantity of supplies, material and equipment that
should be kept on hand in the various depots for which they are responsible as the proper
supply under the provisions of paragraph 1, confidential memorandum, August 7, 1917,
A. E. F. These projects will, upon approval by general headquarters, be the guide for the
commanding general, Services of Supply, who is charged with keeping the full stock of
supplies on hand in his depots. Changes in these projects will be made from time to time
as better information is obtained as to the exact needs of our forces, and these changes,
when similarly approved, will govern.

7. Each chief of service of supply may submit, for approval of general headquarters,
lists of special or unusual supplies not normally issued in accordance with existing orders
or regulations, and after such lists arc approved organization commanders are authorized to
requisition for these supplies as hereinafter explained. When new troops are due to arrive,
or when at any time the chief of service of supply can foresee a need for materials or supplies,
he should anticipate the needs of the organizations concerned and take the necessary steps
to have the materials or supplies delivered in advance of requisitions.

8. Whenever there is any shortage in an important article of supply, equipment, or
transportation, and the necessity arises for coordination of distribution or a reduction of
allowances becomes necessary, the commanding general, Services of Supply, will report the
case to general headquarters (G-4) for instructions to govern until normal conditions are

restored.

9. Whenever articles not on the automatic supply basis (class 1) are issued from any
depot from the stock on hand in depot, the issuing officer will send a copy of the lists of
materials issued, stamped across the face "For replacement," to the chief of his services,
Services of Supply, and this list or issue slip will have the force of a requisition. The
necessary steps will then be taken to replace issues, either by direct delivery from primary
sources or by transfer from another depot farther to the rear, where the actual replacement
will be made. Routine issues of articles which are on the automatic supply basis will be
forwarded, periodically, without requisition, from the rear depots to the advance depots
under instructions of the chief of the service of supply concerned, and thence to the troops,
under instructions herein contained. Notice of the issue of such articles need not be made
by the issuing depot. The principle of automatic supply will be applied as far as practicable

APPENDIX 899

to all articles of regular issue. The regulating officer will notify the general staff, Services
of Supply, of changes in rate of automatic issues, who will notify the chiefs of services
concerned.

10. The chief of eacli service of supply, Services of Supply, is immediately responsible
for his depots and establishments in the Services of Supply, and it is his duty to keep
informed as to the kind of materials and supplies on hand, and to call upon the representa-
tive of his service on the general purchasing board for replacements that can be obtained
in Europe All requisitions for supplies and materials to come from the United States and
all exceptional purchases in Europe will be made in accordance with policies approved at
general headquarters.

11. Xo purchases of supplies, other than emergency purchases for his own office, will be
made by the purchasing officer of the general purchasing board, except as authorized by the
chief of his service, A. E. F., or as directed by the commanding general, Services of Supply.
The purchasing agent or disbursing officer is not, in general, concerned with the initiation of
purchases or with the state of supplies in the depots. His function is to purchase and
inspect the supplies ordered, to provide for their transportation to France, and to pay for
them. He will investigate all possible sources of supply that might reduce the tonnage to
be brought from the United States.

12. The commanding officer of each base, intermediate, and advance section, Services of
Supply, except as otherwise specifically provided for, is responsible for the discipline, police,
and sanitation of the area assigned to him, in so far as the American personnel and institu-
tions are concerned and for so much of the administration as may be assigned him by the
commanding general, Services of Supply. The administration of tactical divisions and
schools or camps of instruction will be governed by special instructions issued from time to
time from general headquarters.

13. The officer in charge of each supply depot will keep t he chief of his service, Services
of Supply, periodically informed as to the stock on hand in his depot, and will issue supplies
on requisitions approved by the chief of his department or service, or as herein otherwise
prescribed. When shipment of supplies is authorized, it is his duty to have them promptly
loaded into cars, to have the cars plainly marked, as prescribed in section II, General Order
Xo. 17, 1918, and to send full telegraphic information in regard to the shipment to the
consignee, or if into the zone supplied from a regulating station, to the regulating officer.
This telegram should include car initials, car number, date of shipment, organization for
which intended, routing and contents of car in sufficient detail for identification. Unless
otherwise authorized, all shipment to points in the advance section will be made through
the regulating station.

14. When supplies are issued from depots to establishments, troops, or for construction
work, the receiving officers will receipt for the supplies on the usual forms, with a notation
showing the organization or the work for which the supplies for material are to be used.
No further formal accounting for the supplies or materials will be required from the
receiving officer. (F. S. R., par. 370.) The same care will be taken of all equipment,
supplies, and material and the same economy in their use will be observed as if a formal
accounting were required. Commanding officers are charged with the duty of seeing that
neither men nor organizations of their commands waste, make misuse of the supplies,
materials, or equipment furnished to them, or accumulate a surplus thereof. Organizations
or individuals demanding much in excess of the average amounts required by other like
units under similar conditions will be investigated, and proper action taken if waste, misuse,
or undue accumulation is discovered.

AGENCIES OF SUPPLY AND EVACUATION IN THE ADVANCE SECTION, SERVICES OF SUPPLY

15. A regulating station is a large railway yard where cars from the supply depots and
from the rear are received and made up into trains for the divisions. Here also are received
all express, mail, and freight for organizations at the front. These are sorted in the
regulating station and distributed in separate cars for each division, or group of nondivisional
organizations, and turned over to the transportation department for dispatch to destination.
Usually a separate train is provided for each division or group.

900 FINANCE AND St'PIM.Y

16. All troops forwarded to points in the advance section will be sent to the proper
regulating station, and advice of each movement will be sent to the regulating officer by
wire, giving the strength in officers, men, and animals, the tonnage of baggage and freight
of each unit and its assignment. The same information must be furnisher! him for each
entraining point regarding any troops whose movement he must arrange for. Troops coming
into a regulating station are detrained, if necessary, and reentrained into trains which will
take them to their proper divisions. Trains arriving at a regulating station containing
troops for a single destination are forwarded direct.

17. The regulating officer is a member of the fourth section, general staff (G-4). As a
rule he belongs to the headquarters of an army or a group of armies. Until such organi-
zations are formed he may be assigned to G-4 of the staff of the command he is supplying.
It is his duty to give all orders for the railway movement of troops and supplies within the
sector served by his regulating station, and to follow the movements through to completion,
the troops to their proper destination, and the supplies until delivered to divisional supply
officer, or to supply officers of detached or uondivisional organizations. To him are sent all
orders for, and information regarding, the railway transportation of men, animals and
material in the advance section, Services of Supply, and all notices of similar shipments due
to arrive at the regulating station, either from front or from the rear. He must be promptly
advised by army headquarters of any changes or movements at the front that will affect
supply. He, in turn, must inform the railway officers in time for them to make preparations
for the contemplated move, and must take the necessary measures to insure the proper
supply. He is responsible for the daily automatic supplies of the troops which he serves,
and he issues the neeessary orders to insure that supply. The agents of the Services of
Supply shall respond to all such requirements of the regulating officer to accomplish these
ends. Only in emergency will calls for supplies be made by telegraph. Such telegraphic
calls for supplies of any class will be sent by the proper headquarters to the regulating
officer, who will order them from the proper depot. The object of the regulating station
and of all the elements of the Services of Supply adjacent thereto is to facilitate the supply
of the troops served by that regulating station, and in case of necessity the decision of the
regulating officer will be authoritative on all subjects arising within such elements or units
attached thereto.

18. By frequent visits and conferences, he will keep in close touch with the headquarters
of the unit which he is serving. On certain questions which are reserved for the decision of
general headquarters, and in emergencies, communication is held direct between general
headquarters (.G-4) and the regulating officer.

19. The railway personnel in the advance section, Services of Supply, are subject to
orders of the regulating officer in so far as concerns their receiving, caring for, and trans-
porting troops and supplies and as regards priority of shipments. This control is exercised
through the proper railway officers. They are subject to the orders of the commanding
officer advance section, Services of Supply, in all matters of discipline, sanitation, and
administration not involving questions of railway management. They are subject to the
orders of the chief of utilities in all matters pertaining to their technical work in the
construction, operation, and maintenance of the railways, and as regards their location or
employment.

20. Railheads and refilling points. — The railhead, as the name implies, is the point on
the railway at which the troops or supplies are discharged. The refilling point is the place
at which the division trains receive the supplies. The two may coincide. The personnel
at the railheads and refilling points are responsible to the regulating officer for the unloading,
care, and preservation of the freight, mail, and express until turned over to the division
trains. At or near the refilling point will be maintained certain authorized stores foi
emergency issue, and one day's supply of rations, fuel, and gasoline to fill the division trains
immediately upon their arrival, thus avoiding long waits for late railway trains. The stock
at railheads, other than class 1 supplies, is for real emergency use only and will not be used
to meet ordinary needs.

21. The commanding general of the unit to which the regulating officer belongs will
detail an officer at each railhead to be known as the railhead officer, who will be in charge

APPENDIX 901

both of railhead and refilling points. This officer will be charged with the receipt
and prompt unloading of all cars received at that station for American troops. He
will be warned of their arrival by the regulating officer and will unload the cars as soon as
possible, and always within 24 hours after they are placed for unloading, with a personnel
furnished him for that purpose, calling upon the local commanding officer for any additional
men that may be necessary to accomplish that object. The railhead officer is charged with
the proper cleanliness of that part of the yard that may become littered up by American
troops. He will receive his instructions from the regulating officer, and may have certain
supply officers detailed to assist him in administerting the refilling point. The railroad trans-
portation officer at railhead is a transportation department officer, and as regards operation
of the railway he reports to and receives his orders from the railway officer of the regulating
station. He receives his orders as to where and when to place cars from the railhead officer,
whom he keeps constantly informed as to arrival and departure of ears. The railhead officer
and a certain number of the permanent personnel for the railhead will be furnished the army
for the foregoing purposes by general headquarters. Any additional personnel needed in an
emergency will be furnished from the near-by organizations.

22. Evacuating stations and sorting stations are established for the reverse move-
ment of personnel, animals, and materials. An evacuation station is a place for the
collection of men, animals, and materials that have become unfitted for use in the front and
for which movement to the rear is contemplated. The personnel of these stations receive
and care for the personnel and material to be evacuated, and at the proper time load them
on trains provided by the regulating officer. Orders for the evacuation of men or material
are ordinarily issued by G-4, at army headquarters, which should receive early notification
of desired movements so that the regulating officer may be given ample time to provide for
the amount and kind of rolling stock required. During action the officer in charge of an
evacuation station may call directly upon the regulating officer for the necessary railway
equipment to evacuate the wounded. Sorting stations are railway stations to which evacu-
ated men and material are sent from the evacuation stations and where they are sorted into
their special classes and thence shipped to their final destination in the rear. Sick and
wounded are sent to the various hospitals; worn out and broken material is distributed to
depots or shops of Services of Supply.

CLASSIFICATION AND METHODS OF SUPPLY

23. All supplies desired by troops are, for the purpose of this order, divided into four
classes, viz:

Class 1. — All articles of daily automatic supply, which shall consist of rations, forage,
fuel, gasoline, lubricants and illuminants.

Class 2. — Clothing, blankets, overcoats, slickers, ponchos, bed sacks, and brassards.

Class S. — All other authorized articles of equipment (except ammunition) furnished by
the several supply departments including sector equipment and the authorized allowance
of vehicles.

Class 4- — Ammunition, construction material, all articles of an exceptional nature not
included in authorized allowances, and all articles the distribution of which must depend
upon operations, lists of which will be published from time to time.

24. This system of supply contemplates having troops normally unencumbered with
impedimenta and supplies, thus enabling them to have a maximum mobility. At the same
time, the method for obtaining necessary supplies has been so simplified that any article,
when needed, can be obtained on a few hours' notice.

25. Class 1 supplies (articles of automatic supply) will be obtained and distributed as
follows:

(a) Regimental supply officers or supply officers of other independent organizations
will submit ration returns and forage requisitions to the division quartermaster, or quarter-
master of the organization to which they are attached. He in turn will consolidate the
returns. The division return will be submitted to the local supply officer at the refilling
point for filling.

g()2 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

(b) The daily automatic supply is based on the actual strength of the organization in
men and animals. This information is furnished weekly, or as much oftener as may be
necessary, to headquarters of the army (G-4) by G-l of the division or corps from the data
prepared for the statistical division, Adjutant General's Office. Army Headquarters notifies
the regulating officer by wire of the number of men and animals of each division or other
similar organization belonging to the army. Other organizations in the advance section,
Services of Supply, send similar strength reports direct to the regulating officer. The regu-
lating officer may call upon the various supply depots for automatic supplies required in
two ways; either by indicating the division or detached or nondivisional organization for
which the supplies are required by the proper symbol number or by calling for the supplies
in bulk.

(c) Under the first method of procedure the various classes of supplies are then loaded
into railway cars, properly checked and rechecked. and each car is labeled on both sides
with symbol number of the division, or detached or nondivisional organizations, for which
the supplies are destined. A list of the contents of each car is posted in a conspicuous
place in the car. Information regarding the shipment is telegraphed to the regulating
officer by the depot officer; and the regulating officer then prepares schedules of the make-up
of the trains for various divisions, gives fhem to the representative of the transportation
department, who will make up respective trains and dispatch them to their destinations,
accompanied by an agent for each divisional or similar group of cars whenever necessary.

(d) On arrival at refilling point the train is promptly unloaded, and the supplies
required for the troops are immediately transferred to division trains by the railhead officer,
or they are put under cover for issue the following day.

(e) The ] eriod elapsing from the date on which the organization's strength report is
made and date on which the corresponding shipment of rations are drawn upon (one to four
days) render it imperative that the small stock provided for in paragraph 20 shall be kept
at, or near, the refilling point.

(/) In case supplies are called for in bulk (full trainloads of forage, fuel, etc.) the fol-
lowing procedure will be observed: To fill the demands of a division for such commodities
one or more railway cars, with cargo corresponding to nearest weights demanded by the
respective organizations, will be cut from the trains, marked with the proper symbol and
amount of supplies, and turned over to the representative of the transportation department
for proper marshaling and dispatch. The contents of a full car will not be broken. This
method will result in overissues or underissues, as the case may be, and will require adjust-
ment from day to day. A record book with headings for plus and minus issues and the
amount due to different organizations will be kept by the regulating officer and officer in
charge of the refilling point for making the adjustments in further shipments and issues.

20. Class 2 supplies (clothing, blankets, overcoats, etc.):

(a) Requisitions are submitted by the company commanders, and upon consolidation
and approval by the regimental commanders are checked by the proper staff officer and sent
(through G-l in division of corps, or G-4 for army troops), directly to the proper advance
depot, which will fill the requisition.

(b) The depot officer will inform the railway officers of the number and kind of cars he
will require to forward these supplies and the time and place he will want them spotted
for loading.

(r) The regulating officer will be informed by the railway officer of these calls for cars,
and if there is any necessity thereof from the shortage of cars or special needs for other
shipments will indicate the order of priority. After the cars are placed by the railway
personnel they are loaded by the depot personnel, and the procedure until they are delivered
to the refilling points is as heretofore described for carloads of class 1 supplies.

27. Class 3 supplies: All other authorized articles of equipment, except ammunition:
(a) These supplies are requisitioned by the organization in the manner prescribed
for class 2. These requisitions are received by the supply officer of the division, and are
rilled from any disposable supplies in the division. The remainder of the requisition is for-
warded direct to army headquarters, where a similar procedure is followed. The army

APPENDIX 903

supply officer, in consultation with G-4, fills the needs from disposable supplies within the
army parks, trains, or dumps.

(6) The remainder of the requisition which can not be furnished from the resources at
the disposition of the army is forwarded to the advance depot, Services of Supply, where the
procedure is the same as prescribed for articles of class 2.

28. Class 4 (ammunition, constructions material, exceptional articles, and all articles
temporarily excepted from classes 2 and 3 by orders):

(a) Requisitions for articles of this class are handled in the same way as described for
those of class 3, except that after the articles which are disposable within the army have
been furnished the remainder of the requisition is forwarded direct from the army head-
quarters (G-4) to general headquarters (G-4), where it is considered in connection with
contemplated operations and of the relative needs of other units.

(6) In order to expedite the supply of these articles to the troops, certain amounts in the
depots, called credits, may be placed at the disposition of army headquarters. Upon these
credits army headquarters may draw without reference to general headquarters, sending their
requisition direct to the proper depot. Army headquarters should inform general head-
quarters (G-4) of such drafts upon the credits, in order that they may know at all times the
status of the credits. Action upon requisitions for articles on which no credit has been
established, and upon renewals of amounts withdrawn from existing credits, is determined by
general headquarters (G-4) in consultation with proper supply officer. When decision is
reached the necessary information is sent to the proper depot, with directions to forward
the supplies or to renew the credits as the case may be. Information upon all such points
is also sent to the regulating officer and to army headquarters. Army headquarters will
also be informed if the credit is not to be renewed immediately.

29. All requisitions for division, corps, and army troops or separate organizations will
be given a serial number for that organization, and the various items in each requisition
will also be numbered serially. When passed by the proper authority, G-l, G-4, or the
commanding officer, respectively, a copy of the requisition will be returned to the proper
supply officer of t lie organization, one copy will be sent to the chiefs of the proper service,
Services of Supply, and one to the proper depot.

30. Articles called for on requisitions which remain unfilled for considerable periods
are frequently duplicated on later requisitions submitted by the same organization, thereby
leading to duplicate shipments of material or supplies to the organization making the requi-
sition. In order to obviate this depot officers will telegraph organizations whose requisi-
tions have not been filled 15 days after the date of the requisition, notifying the organi-
zation that the requisition has been received and that the articles therein requested which
have not been shipped will be shipped as soon as available, or giving an approximate date,
if possible, when the articles will be furnished. When a depot can not fill an entire requi-
sition, the depot officer shall notify his chief of service, Services of Supply, of the items he
can not supply, giving organization, requisition number, and item number. A copy of
this notice shall be mailed to general headquarters (G-4) by the depot officer. The chief
of service will immediately arrange to supply that depot with such articles, and when they
are received the requisition will be filled. In case the need for articles which have been
requisitioned and not furnished ceases to exist, the officer submitting the requisition will
at once notify the supply depot holding the requisition and request the cancellation of the
articles not required. Organizations will not duplicate on requisitions articles which they
have called for on previous requisitions, except as provided in the following sentence:
Supply officers may, from time to time, include in requisitions all items unfilled at that
date, indicating opposite each item the fact that they were originally requested on requi-
sition of certain number, but not furnished, and requesting that all unfilled requisitions
be canceled.

31. The accuracy, necessity for, and sufficiency of these requisitions rest upon the
regimental or other similar commander. The final responsibility rests with the division
commander.

904 FINANCE AND SUPPLY

32. Corps troops and army troops send their requisitions direct to corps and army
headquarters, respectively, and a similar procedure is followed for eacli class of supplies as

outlined above.

33. Pending the establishment of army headquarters, the functions herein prescribed
for army headquarters will be performed by the corps.

34. The chiefs of the various ser\ices of supply will so organize their offices that they
will be free to make frequent inspections of the establishments of their departments in all
parts of the theater of operations, with a view of reporting upon any unauthorized use or
abuse of equipment, supplies, or materials, or any undue accumulations of the same beyond
reasonable needs.

METHOD OF SUPPLY IN BEAR OF ADVANCE SECTION, SERVICES OF SUPPLY

35 Units in the Services of Supply in rear of the advance section will obtain their
equipment and supplies in the following general manner, the details of which shall be
prescribed by the commanding general, Services of Supply:

(a) Articles of classes 1, 2, and 3 will be issued by supply depots on requisitions made
direct to them. All requisitions will show amounts on hand, and no surplus over the
authorized allowances will be requisitioned for.

(6) Requisitions for equipment or supplies, class 4, including all those for construction
work, will be submitted to the chief of the service of supply concerned, who will, after
approval, send them to the proper depot for filling. Credits for material for approved con-
struction projects may be placed at the disposition of the officer in charge. These will be
handled within the Services of Supply in a manner similar to that prescribed for credits
given to army headquarters.

[For official circulation only]

General Orders, No. 130

General Headquarters,
American Expeditionary Forces,

France, August 6, 1918.
1. The following basie principles to govern future development of the Services of
Supply are announced:

(a) While proper organization and direct control of all efforts to a common end require
that the Services of Supply function in accordance with general plans formulated by the
general staff of the American Expeditionary Forces, the commanding general of the Services
of Supply is charged with all questions of automatic supply under approved policies of the
American Expeditionary Forces.

(b) The problems of supplying these forces will be understood to embrace the requisitions
by heads of supply departments, or purchase through the general purchasing board; the
discharge and transportation of supplies by rail and water; the chartering and requisition-
ing of vessels; the necessary construction of facilities for these purposes; the procurement
of personnel or the exchange thereof with the United States.

(c) Conforming to letters of instruction issued to him from time to time the command-
ing general of the Services of Supply is charged with the development of port facilities,
storage facilities, railroad transportation, and the allotment of tonnage.

(d) Large questions of policy, including those concerning new types and new scales of
equipment, except for Services of Supply troops; the immediate control of military trans-
portation and supply in the zone of the armies, and the determination and control of war
material will remain in the hands of the general staff of the commander in chief and sub-
ject to his direction and approval.

(e) Heads of supply departments, as such, will carry on their activities under the
immediate direction of the commanding general, Services of Supply.

QUANTITIES OF MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL SUPPLIES PURCHASED
DURING THE PERIOD APRIL 6, 1917, TO NOVEMBER 11, 1918.

POST MEDICAL SUPPLIES

Medicines, Antiseptics, and Disinfectants

Acacia, powder, 1 pound in bottle bottles-. 85,830

Acetanelidum, H pound in bottle do 56,700

Acetphenetidinum (phenaeetin), H pound in

bottle bottles.- 27,500

Acidum nceticum, \-> pound in bottle do 52,100

Acidum boricum, powder, \i pound in bottle

bottles.. 505,750

Acidum citricum, 'A pound in bottle. ..do 37,920

Acidum hydrochloricum, }/ 2 pound in bottle

bottles.. 94, 030

Acidum nitricum,H pound in bottle do 71,725

Acidum oxalicum, for surgical use, A pound in

bottle ..bottles.. 37, 714.

Acidum salicylicum, 3 ounces in bottle. .do 102, 599

Acidum sulpburicum, l A pound in bottle

...bottles.. 84,400

Acidum sulphuricum aromaticum, ? 2 pound in

bottle. _ bottles.. 5,500

Acidum tannicum, powder, 3 ounces in bottle

bottles.. 44,267

Acidum tartaricum, H pound in bottle

bottles.. 97,250

Adeps lanas hydrosus, V t pound in bottle

bottles-. 20,472

Adrenalin chlorid, 1-mgm. tablets, 20 in tube

tubes.. 178,875

jEther, l A pound in tin. ..tins.. 8,780,088

iEthylis cbloridum, 3 ounces in metal tube

— - tubes.. 25,825

Alcohol, 5 gallons in bottle bottles.. 276,085

Aloe, powder, 1 ounce in bottle do 32,900

Alumen, powder, A pound in bottle do 29,800

Ammonii bromidum, A pound in bottle. do 8,410

Ammonii earbonas, lumps, A pound in bottle

bottles.. 29,500

Ammonii chloridum, J£ pound in bottle. do 187, 104

Amylis nitris, 5-drop spirets, 12 in box-boxes.. 29,550
Antimonii et potassii tartras, H ounce in bottle

bottles.. 11,500

Apomorphinae hydrochloridum, (1-mgm. hypo-
dermic tablets, 20 in tube tubes.. 196,905

Aqua ammonia', 10 per cent 1 pound in bottle

bottles.. 137,300

Aqua hydrogenii dioxidi, 1 pound in bottle

bottles.. 61,000

Argenti nitras, crystals, 1 ounce in bottle. do 133, 985

Argenti nitras fusus, 1 ounce in bottle. -.do 60,200

Argyrol, 1 ounce in bottle ..do 567.600

Arseni trioxidum, 1-mgm. tablets, 250 in bottle 567,600

bottles.. 46,800

Asafoctida, A ounce in bottle do 4,250

Aspirin, 1 ounce in bottle do 842,650

Atropine sulphas:

y$ ounce in bottle bottles., 5,440

0.65-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20 in tube

tubes.. 692.625

0.13-mgm. opthalmic disks, 50 in tube

tubes.. 6,800

Balsamum Peruvianum, % pound in bottle

bottles.. 79,710

Balsamum tolutanum, }4 pound in bottle

__ bottles.. 17.100

Bismuth! subgallas, !4 pound in bottlc.do 5,850

Bismuthi suhnitras, A pound in bottle.do 14,900

CafTeina citrata, !< ounce in bottle .do 217,800

Calx chlorinata, 1 pound in zink container

...pounds.. 135,424

Camphora, powder, A pound in bottle

_ bottles.. 357,610

Capsicum, pow-der, l A ounce in bottle... do 20.200

Cera flava, in l A pound cake... .cakes.. 10,335

Chloralum hydratum, 1 ounce in bottle

bottles.. 69,900

Chloraformum, )-£ pound in tin tins.. 2,163,800

Chrysarobinum, A ounce in bottle bottles.. 17,600

Cocaina? hydrochloridum:

% ounce in bottle do 179,360

10-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20 in tube

..tubes.. 1,275,612

Codeina sulphas, lounce in bottle bottles.. 25,500

Collodium, 1 ounce in bottle do 325,000

Copaiba, l A pound in bottle. ._ ...do 21,800

Creosotum, 1 ounce in bottle do 108,000

Cresol, 1 pound in bottle do 74,000

Creta preparata, A pound in bottle do. .. 18,700

Cupri sulphas, 1 ounce in bottle do 56,900

Digitalinum, 1-mgm. hypodermic tablets,

20 in tube tubes.. 154,500

Emetine hydrochloridum, 22-mgm. hypo-
dermic tablets, in tube tubes.. 314,500

Emplastrum belladonna?, 2 yards by 6 inches,

in tin tins.. 34,600

Emplastrum cantharidis, 1 yard by 6 inches.

in tin ...tins.. 17.550

Emplastrum sinapis, 4 yards by 6 inches,

in tin . tins.. 72.151

Eucalyptol, 1 ounce in bottle bottles 28,800

Extractum belladonna? foliorum, 1 ounce in

bottle ...bottles.. 16,150

Extractum glycyrrhizae purum, Vi pound in jar

jars.. 127,164

Extractum hyoseyami, 1 ounce in bottle

bottles.. 4,400

Extractum rhamnipurshiana?,130-mgm. tablets,

250 in bottle .. bottles... 43,674

Ferri et quinince citras solubilis, 3 ounces in

bottle bottles.. 16,566

905

906

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Ferri phosphas solubilis, 1 pound in bottle

bottles.. 46,600

Ferri sulphas exsiccatus, Ya. pound in bottle

bottles. 9,800

Fluidextractum colchici seminis, 1 ounce in

bottle bottles.. 15,700

Fluidextractum ergotae, Vi pound in bottle,

bottles.. 4,450

Fluidexlmctuiu ipecacuanhas, H pound in bottle

bottles.. 7,850

Fluidextractum pruni virgiuianae, 1 pound, in

bottle bottles.. 10,550

Fluidextractum zingiheris, H pound in bottle

...bottles.. 18,450

Foot powder (par. 902), H pound in tin. .tins.. 12, 980, (XXI

Glycerinum. 1 pound in bottle bottles. 277,500

Heroinj hvdrochloridum, 5.5-mgm. tablets, 500

inbottle" bottles.. 100

Hexamethylenarnina (urotropin), 1 ounce in

bottle..."- bottles.. 167,950

Homatropinae hydrobromidum, 15 grains in

bottle bottles.. 10,900

Ilydrargyri chloridum corrosivum:

3 ounces in bottle do.... 15.566

Commercial, 1 pound in bottle do.... 49,000

Tablets (antiseptic, par. 902), 280 in bottle

bottles.. 499,100

Ilydrargyri chloridum mite:

32-mgm. tablets, 250 in bottle do.... 480,550

6.5-mgm. tablets, 250 in bottle do.... 209,550

2 ounces in bottle do 99,030

Ilvdrargyri iodidum flavum:

10-mgm. tablets, 250 in bottle do.... 125,400

1 ounce in bottle.. -do 7,800

Ilydrargyri salicylas, 1 ounce in bottle. ..do 35,300

Hyoscinse hydrobromidum, 0.65-mgm. hypo-
dermic tablets, 20 in tube tubes.. 25,750

Ichthyolum, 3 ounces inbottle bottles.. 107,732

Iodum, 1 ounce in bottle do 583,400

Ipecacuanha, powder, 3 ounces in bottle-do 21,368

Liquor cresolis compositus, 1 quart in hoi t If,

bottles.. 1,820,050

Liquor formaldehydi (37H per cent):

1 quart in bottle do 63,850

ngallonsin jug jugs-- 38,620

Liquor potassii arsenitis, }i pound in bottle,

bottles.- 3,600

Lithii cifras efferveseens, 324-mgm. tablets, 25

in bottle bottles..

Lycopodium, 3 ounces in bottle do

Magnesii carbonas, powder, 2 ounces in bottle,

bottles..

Magnesii sulphas, 4 pounds in tin tins..

Massa hydrargyria ounces in bottle— bottles..

Menthol, 1 ounce in bottle do

Methylis salicylas (oil of wintergrecn, syn-
thetic), 1 ounce in bottle bottles-.

Morpbinse sulphas:

Powder, 'A ounce in bottle do

8-mgm. hypodermic tablets, 20 in tube,

tubes..

Naphthalenum.. pounds. .

Neosalvarsan, 900 mgm. in tube tubes..

Nitroglycerin, 0.05-mgm. hypodermic tablets,

20intube tubes.. 940,000

Normal saline solution, tablets (par. 902), 100 in

bott l e bottles.- 216,600

Oleoresina aspidii, 1 ounce in bottle do 12,200

Oleum aurantiicorticis, 1 ounce in bottle. do 10,500

40,000

6, 566

52. 108

1,131,576

4,700

25, 890

179,000

87, 730

5,947,012

51,000

1,124

Oleum caryophylli, 1 ounce in bottle. bottles.. 86,000
Oleum gossypii seminis, 1 quart in bottle

--bottles.. 434,500
Oleum mcnlhii' piperita?, l ounce in bottle

bottles.. 28,350

Oleum morrhua!, 1 pound in bottle do 20,500

Oleum ricini, 1 quart in bottle do 209,300

oleum santali, 1 ounce in bottle do 51,200

Oleum terebinthinse rectificatum, 1 quart in

bottle bottles.. 30,250

Oleum theobromatis. 'i pound in bottle-do 109. 100

Oleum tiglii, 1 ounce in bottle. do 5,800

Opii pulvis, 2 ounces in bottle .-- -do 7,450

Pepsinum, 3 ounces in bottle do 26,199

Peptonizing tablets (par. 902), 125 in bottle

bottles-. 9,210

Petrolatum. 3 pounds in tin tins.. 369,400

Petrolatum liquidum, 1 pound in bottle

-..bottles.- 111,400

Phenol, ' 2 pound inbottle do 795,538

Phenolphthalein, 130-mgm. tablets. 250 in bottle

bottles,. 36,800

Phcnylis salicylas (salol), 3 ounces in bottle

--bottles-. 61,700

Physostigminae sulphas, 0.0325-mgm ophthal-
mic disks, 50 in tube .-..- - tubes.. 4,240

Pilocarpine hydroehloridurn, 8-mgm. hypoder-
mic tablets, 20 in tube tubes— 28,300

Pilulae aloini eompostiae (or tablets; par. 902),

250 in bottle..- bottles.. 382,700

Pilube cathartics) composites (or tablets), 400

in bottle bottles.. 671,637

Pilube eopaibae composites (or tablets; par.

902), 250 in bottle.-- .. botllcS— 39.600

Pirate ferri composites (or tablets; par. 902), 80

in bottle bottles.. 286,225

PJumbi acetas, 6 ounces in bottle do 168,682

Potassii acetas, 6 ounces in bottle do 20,800

Potassii biearbonas, 1 pound in bottle.--do 6,650

Potassii bromidum, 1 pound in bottle.. -do 12,500

Potassii chloras:

Powder, 1 pound in bottle do 11.877

324-mgm. tablets, 250 in bottle do 66,080

Potassii et sodii tartras, 3 pounds in tin..tins__ 44.619
Potassii hydroxidum, 1 ounce in bottle

bottles.. 39,800

Potassii iodidum, ?? pound in bottle do 87,600

Potassii permanganas, 1 pound in bottle-do 10,050

Protargol, 1 ounce in bottle r ~ do 1,331,050

Pulvis glycyrrhizae compositus, H pound in

bottle bottles.. 15,200

Pulvis ipecacuanha? et opii, !4 pound in bottle

bottles.. 36,700

Quininae hydrochlorosulphas, 32-mgm. hypo-
dermic tablets, 20 in tube tubes.. 417,125

Quininae sulphas:

Crystals, 1 ounce in bottle bottles.. 114,000

200-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle.. do 186,978

Resina podophylli, }i ounce in bottle do 4,200

Rheum, powder, 2 ounces in bottle do 3,600

Saccharum lactis, powder, 3 ounces in bottle

.. bottles.. 49.266

Salvarsan, 000 mgm. in tube tubes.. 275,786

Santoninum, 32-mgm. tablets, 250 in bottle

bottles.. 10,159

Sapo mollis (green soap), 1 pound in jar.. jars.. 1,854, 100

Serum antiiliphthericum. vials.. 292,133

Serum antimeningitidis .-- do 124,850

Serum an titetanicllm do 29, 375

APPENDIX

907

Sodii hicarbonas, 1 pound in bottle bottles..

Sodii bicarbonas et mentha piperita, tablets

(par. 902), 400 in bottle bottles..

Sodii boras, powder, 1 pound in bottle.- do

Sodii bromidum, ounces in bottle do

Sodii earbonas monohydratus, for surgical use,

1 pound in bottle bottles-.

Sodii lluoridutn, 5 pounds in package-packages..
Sodii phosphas exsiccatus, powder, 3 ounces in

bottle bottles..

Sodii salicylas, (jounces in bottle..- do

Spiritus aetheris compositus, ' 2 pound in bottle

bottles..

Spiritus setheris nitrosi, ' ., pound in bottle

bottles..

Spiritus ammonias aromatieus, f 2 ' pound in

bottle . ...bottles..

Spiritus frumenti, 1 quart in bottle do

Spiritus glycerylis nitratis, 1 ounce in bottle

bottles..

Stryehnina; sulphas, 1-mgm. hypodermic tab-
lets, 250 in bottle _ bottles..

Sugar, white, 12 pounds in can ...cans..

Sulphur, in roll pounds. _

Sulphur lotum, }i pound in bottle bottles..

Syrupus ferri iodidi. i 2 pound in bottle. .do

Syrupus hypophosphitum compositus, 1 pound

in bottle bottles..

Syrupus scUte, 1 pound in bottle do

Talcum, 2 pounds in tin tins..

Thymol, 1 ounce in bottle . ...bottles..

Thymolis iodidum (Aristol), 1 ounce in bottle

bottles..

Tincture aconiti, 1 ounce in bottle do

Tinctura benzoini composita, } 2 pound in

bottle bottles..

Tinctura cantharidis, '4 pound in bottle

■ — ..... bottles..

Tinctura capsici, Jj pound in bottle do

Tinctura cinchonas composita, 1 pound in

bottle ....bottles..

Tinctura digitalis, ! 2 pound in bottle.-.do

Tinctura ferri chloridi, 1 pound in bottle. do

Tinctura genlianae composita, 1 pound in

bottle bottles..

Tinctura myrrhse, > i pound in bottle. ..do

Tinctura nucis vomica?, Y 2 pound in bottle

bottles..

Tinctura opii, 1 pound in bottle do

Tinctura opii camphorata, 1 pound in bottle

... bottles..

Tinctura strophanti^, 1 ounce in bottledo

Trochisci ammonii chloridi, 125 in bottle. do

Unguentum hydargyri, y 2 pound in bottle

- bottles..

Unguentum hydrargyri chloridi mitis, 30 per

cent, 2 pounds in jar. .. ...jars..

Veronal, 324-mgm. tablets, 250 in bottle

bottles. .

Zinci oxidum, H pound in bottle- do

Zinci sulphas, u pouml in bottle.. ...do

STATIONERY

Bands, elastic _.._ .dozen

Baskets:

Letter .. .. .number .

Waste paper ... do

Binders, loose-leaf, for medical history of post

(see par. 412) ... ... number..

Blotters, ham! do

1 , 255

240

187

486

674

465

81

266

217

675

12

223

134

666

91

467

7

850

31

700

881

000

95

000

508, 420

28, 666

532. 360

1,074,000

5, 140

16,200

11,900

3S, 910

24, GOO

39, 600

14, 550

1

550

4

750

7

750

5

050

16,800

13

600

2,

600

30

100

56

■Jin

38

300

3

850

474

300

42

475

405

889

22

100

327

828

28,27

882,500

24,500
20,000

9, 250
12.500

Books:
11 lank-
Crown (cap), 250 pages number.. 77,700

8vo., 150 pages do 169,500

prescription (see par. 240) do 20,500

Envelope openers.. .do 5,660

Erasers:

Rubber-
Pencil... pieces.. 36,000

Typewriter.... . number.. 10,800

Steel do 21,500

Files, Shannon (for clinical histories). ..do 30,600

Ink, black (powder or tablets), sufficient in box

for 1 quart of fluid boxes.. 132,500

inkstands number.. 14,000

Labels:

For dispensing set do 22,500

For vials gross.. 90,000

Poison, assorted do 35,210

Pads:

Desk number.. 6,000

Ink, for stamps do 13,000

Prescription ._ dozen.. 1,509,840

Paper:

Blotting—

For desks quires.. 36.420

Small pieces for hand blotters. pieces.. 2,821.400
Carbon —

Cap, 100 sheets in box... .. ...boxes.. 47,400

Letter, 100 sheets in box.. . do 140,000

Fasteners _. do 60,000

Manifolding—

Cap, 250 sheets in package.. packages.. 106, 700
Letter—

500sheets in package .do 100,300

Perforated, 500 sheets in package

-- packages. . 39, 000

Typewriter —

Cap, 250 sheets in package do 80,640

Letter, 500 sheets in package do 79,0X18

Writing-
Letter .... quires.. 57,000

Note ...do 59,300

100 sheets in pad pads.. 882,000

Paste, photograph and library. .tubesand jars.. 266,500

Pencils, lead number. . 2,342,036

Penholders do 178,384

Penracks do 29, 000

Pens, steel gross.. 111,944

Punches, perforating number.. 8,500

Holers. do 13,060

Tape, office, red spools.. 7,500

Vaccination records 5,000,000

Miscellaneous Supplies

Alcohol, denatured, 5 gallons in bottlc.boltles.. 12,200
Apparatus:

Compressed air (par. 903) number.. 1,223

Electric do 1,851

For administration of salvarsan do 6,792

Restraint (par. 904) do 1,750

Applicators for throal :

Metal.. .......do 9,000

Wood gross.. 436,200

A prons, cooks' . ... number 77,800

Atomizers, hand do 49,100

Hags:

Obstetrical (par. 905) do 227

Rubber—

Hot water ... do 16,067

lee for head do 52,000

908

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Bandages:

Gauze, roller, assorted, 6 dozen, in box

..boxes..

Rubber, Martin number..

Suspensory __. dozen .

Bandage winders number

Bars, mosquito do

Basins:

For sponges, etc., white enamel do

Delft, for office do....

Hand, white enamel do

White enamel, for operating room.-do

Baskets, laundry --do

Bathrobes (gowns, convalescent). . do

Bed cradles. do

Bedpans, white enamel, do

Bedsteads white enamel, and folding do

Bells, call do....

Blankets, white do

Blowers, for insect powder do

Boilers:
Coffee—

HM-quart, enamel or tin do

6-quart, enamel ortin. do

Double, for cooking —

11-quart do

4-quart do ...

Instrument do

Tin, copper bottom do

Bookcases do

Bottles, 4-quart , glass stopper for antiseptic

solutions number

Bougies, flexible .. do

Bowls:

Chopping do

Soup do

Sugar, with lid do

Boxes:

Folding, for tablets dozen..

Fracture, folding number

Ointment, impervious dozen..

Pill do....

Powder do

Brooms:

Corn number..

Hair, long handle, for floors ...do

Whisk do

Brushes:

Hair, counter (brushes, hair, for floors)

... . number..

Hand, fiber do

Paint do

Scrubbing _ do

Shaving do

Stove blacking ...do

Weighted, for polishing floors.. do

Extra brushes for.. do

Buckets:

Covered, metal, 7-quart — do

Fiber do

Galvanized iron. do

Cabinets, metal, for blanks and documents

number..

Extra sections for do

Cabinets for dressings and instruments:

Large do

Small do

Cabinets for medicines, ward do

Can openers do

48S, 317

53, 375

144, or>o

3,620

201, 940

80, 308

6,000

208, 940

76,000

6,000

273. 697

11,500

122, 128

358, 500

15,900

2, 302, 509

2,000

8,200
15,800

15, 660

30, 840

9,840

10, 420

204

13, 530
47,515

18,404

667, 600

25, 000

1, 455, 500

7,580

614, 366

270,000

207,112

501, 200
36, 496
53, 000

22, 856
868,436
16, 745
280, 060
9,057
18,000
2,970
3,250

91,600

15,001:

239, 652

2,136

100

1,365

1,142
7,055
81,000

Caps:

For cooks number..

Operating do

Capsules, gelatin, 100 in box, assorted sizes
boxes. _

Cases:

Aspirating (par. 910). number..

Ear, nose, and throat (par. 912) do

Emergency (par. 913) do

Eye (par. 914) do

Forceps, hemostatic (par, 915) do

General operating (par. 916) do

Genito-urinary (par. 917) do

Gynecological (par. 918).. do

Pocket (par. 923) do

Post-mortem (par. 924) do

Tooth-extracting (par. 925) do

Trial lenses (par. 926) do

Catheters, flexible do

Chairs:

Arm do

Common do

Invalid, rolling do

Office, revolving do

Rocking do

Barony Hones do

Chamois skins do

Charts, anatomical sets..

Chests, tool, No. 1 (par. 937) number..

Cleavers do

Clocks do

Clothesline, manila.. yards. .

Colanders number..

Cork extractors do

Cork pressers do

Corks, long taper, assorted sizes dozens..

Corkscrews number. _

Cotton, absorbent, in roll pounds.,

Cotton bats do

Crinolin (stent a-book), 6 yards in piece-pieces..

Cruets, vinegar and oil number..

Crutches _ pairs..

Rubber tips for, assorted sizes. ..number..

Cups do

Drinking, paper... do

Feeding .do

Spit —

White enamel do. ..

Paper .. do

Metal frames for do.. -

Curettes do. ..

Cushions:
Rubber —

Small do

Open center do

Surgical, Kelly's do

Cuspidors ...do

Desks, office do

Dippers do

Dishes:

Meat, assorted do

Pickle do

Soap, with covers, for office do

Vegetable do

Dispensing sets (par. 942) sets..

Egg beaters number..

Eye shades:

Double do

Single do

56,000
30,000

1,083,950

2,350

4,580

7,600

4,705

23, 405

8,502

5,502

59

300

1,400

8,725

850

428, 375

37,641

76,517

26,620

10,210

26,000

219

9,300

42

100

53,000

6,210

431,666

10,280

3,000

700

4, 755, 428

92,190

1,413,750

182,000

118.224

21,000

98,300

220, 602

514,400

1, 750, 000

77,050

333, 622

7, 921. 160

358,000

66,093

21,755
65, 540
14,423
77,600
1,710
119,000

484, 120

25,200

7,000

129,100

550

18,048

205,000
173,000

APPENDIX

909

First-aid packets (par. 944).. .. number. .

First-aid packets for instruction (par. 945)
numher..

First-aid packets for shell wounds (par. 946)
number..

Floor polish, or brightener, I gallon in can
.... .cans..

Floor wax, 2 pounds in can do

Forceps, needle - number..

Forks:

Carving do

Flesh ..do

Table, silver-plated do

Freezers, ice cream do

Funnels, glass:

25 c. c do

250 e. c do

500 c. c do

1,000 c. c do

Gauze, plain yards. .

Gloves, rubber :. .pairs..

Gowns, operating numbcr..

Graduates, glass:

10c. c do

100 c. c do

250 c. c do

500 c. c do

1,000c. c do....

Graters:

Large... do

Small do

Gravy boats do

Gridirons . do

Hones do

Hose:

Rubber, ?/4-inch, in 50-foot lengths-lengths. .
Reel carts for number. .

Inflates, Politzer's do

Inhalers, ether do

Irrigators:

Stands for... do

Valentine's do

Jars:

Large, for dressings, etc

Small, covered, for sutures, etc.

Kettles:

Croup. .

Tea

Knives:

Chopping ... ...do.

Bread do.

Butcher's do.

Carving do.

Table, silver-plated .do.

Ladders, step do.

Ladles . .. ... . do.

Lamps:

Chimneys for.. do.

Hand do.

Shades for do.

Spirit, glass do.

Stand. do.

Wicks for .. do.

Lanterns:

Complete ._ .....do.

Extra globes for. white do.

Wicks for . . do.

Lawn mowers -. - .. ..do.

..do.
..do.

.do.
.do.

12,400,000

400,000

3, 956, 840

8,700

9,000

38,100

14,870

22, 520
1,257,960

1,210

9,500

20,694

17,080

15,500

58, 704, 536

694, 172

112,900

34, 250
11,000
29,280
15,961
10,500

12,000

4,300

26, 500

10,540

5,906

1,850

400

1,000

20, 050

2,300

4,731

34,060
13, 000

6,700
14,200

1,000
7,400

23, 920
22,020

1,530,500

500

17, 056

141,024
2,630
15,000
18,000
3,125
345,000

41,000

06,000

100,000

450

Linoleum yards.. 1.3,000

Litters:

With slings number.. 365,578

Canvas for pieces.. 45,000

Looking-glasses. number.. 17,916

Lye, concentrated, 1 pound, in can cans.. 281,037

Mats, door:

Manila number.. 13,600

Metal do 13,100

Mattress covers do 327,000

Mattresses, cotton, in one piece do 430,813

Measures, metal, 1-pint, 1-quart, 2-quart, and

4-quart sets.. 2,700

Meat cutters number.- 6,030

Medicine droppers .dozen.. 90,466

Medicine glasses ..number.. 259,1(8

Mills, coffee do 1,500

Mops:

Handles for do 60,500

Heads for .do 256,438

Mortars and pestles:

Glass, 10-cm do 7,900

Wedgwood —

8-cm do 8,000

20-cm do 8,500

30-cm do 8,500

Muslin, unbleached yards.. 356,000

Needles:

Commou, assorted.. papers.. 71,000

Surgical-
Assorted number.. 8, "97, 140

Hagedorn's, 20 in set sets.. 1,740

Oilcans with pumps, 5-gallon._ number.. 1,220

Oilcloth, for table yards.. 169,000

Ophthalmoscopes number.. 2,250

Pails:

Commode (close stools) do 51,620

White enamel do 24,000

Paint, white enamel, 1 pint in tin.. tins.. 54,900

Pajamas, trousers number.. 1,654,063

Pans:

Dish-
Deep, retinned, 21-quart.-- do 8,500

Extra heavy, retinned or metal, 35-

quart number.- 11,625

Dust do 37,600

Frying do 19,020

Milk do 10,500

Muffin do 22,400

Sauce do 33,820

Paper:

Filtering, round, 10-inch packages.. 13,404

Oiled, 5 yards in roll . rolls.. 93,000

Tarred, 30 yards in roll do 1,000

Toilet , 2, 000 sheets in roll do 2,428,100

Wrapping —

Blue.. quires-. 39,050

Brown do 69,300

White -. .do 45,050

Percolators, glass.. number.. 700

Pillowcases, cotton.. do 2,175,200

Pillows:

Feather do 256,989

Hair ..do 406,719

Pill tiles, 5 by 10 inches . .. do 1,000

Pins:

Common, assorted papers.. 1,264,572

Safety dozen.. 6,267,598

910

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Pitchers:
Delft—

For office - .number. _ 1,030

1-pint do.— lft 000

4-<juart do '90

Sirup.glass do.-.- 9,000

White enamel do...- 258,464

Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 5 yards by 2'i

inches spools.. 1,236,5*2

Plaster of Paris, 4 pounds in tin tins.. 44,750

Plates, dinner number.. 1,389,062

Potato mashers do 12,160

Pots:

Mustard, with wooden spoons do 7,000

Stock, 24-quart do.... 7,088

Tea, enamel or tin ...do 15,332

Watering do.-.. 2,000

Pus basins .... do.... 200,100

Hacks for urinals and bedpans do 19,000

Razors do.... 40,574

Strops for do.... 19,500

Refrigerators:

Large. do 553

Small do-.- 1,450

Retorts, stands for do 80

Rods, glass, assorted, 10 ounces, in package

packages.. 13,000

Safes, iron number.. 557

Saucers . do 1,477,500

Saws, butchers's do 3,200

Scales and weights:

Apothecary's, metric system do 1,750

Balance in glass case, metric system. do 997

Grocer's do.... 850

Platform do.... 479

Scissors, bandage — do 1,000

Scoops do 6,100

Screens, t>ed, folding, frames for, white enamel

number.. 13,350

Settees, for porch or hall do 11,234

shakers:

Pepper, glass do 33,034

Salt, glass do 51,150

Shears do 19,425

For fixed bandages do 3,668

Sheeting, rubber yards.. 161,700

Sheets, cotton number.. 3,355,100

Shirts, cotton do 401,300

Shoes, wooden, for bedsteads do 240,000

Sickles.. do 4,400

Sieves, flour do 8,400

Skimmers do 7,520

Slippers pairs.. 885,000

Soap:

Common pounds.. 2.552,000

Ivory cakes.. 2, 105,666

Scouring .pounds.. 589,100

Spatulas:

3-inch .- number . 21.392

6-inch do.... 10,092

Specula, rectal.-- do 9,190

Sphygmomanometers do 5,404

Splints, Ilodgen's do 36,425

Sponge holders (forceps) do 18,005

Spools, Halstead's glass do 5,000

Spoons:

Basting, tinned-iron do 38,320

Table, silver-plated do 967,516

Tea, silver-plated -do 936,267

Sprinklers, powder, hard rubber number.. 15,250

Stamps, with outfits, for making hospital

clothing ... _ number.. 450

Steels .... do.-.. 17,000

Sterilizers, for dressings do 5

Stethoscopes, double.. . — do 24,503

Stools, revolving, white enamel ... ..do 6,000

Stoves:

Alcohol do.... 2,320

Kerosene burner do 40,125

Stove blacking papers.. 14,400

Suppository molds. ..... ---number.- 880

Sutures:

Catgut-
Plain,! suture in tube tubes . 14,594,828

Chromicised, 1 suture in tube. .do 6,340,231

norsehair, 100 in coil coils.. 173,000

Kangaroo tendon, sterilized, 1 suture in

tube... tubes.. 723,080

Silk, 3 sizes in package packages . 2,309,200

Silkworm gut, 100 in coil ...coils.. 831,724

Silver wire, in yard lengths . yards. . 92, 500

Syringes:

Bulb, rubber. ..number.- 8,350

Earand ulcer . ... do 55,724

Extra needles for .do 1,025,208

Extra wires for bundles.. 22,000

Fountain-
Metal, 2-quart, graduated (irrigators')

number.. 24,950

Rubber do 52,050

Glass, Luer type —

2-c. c. (for antityphoid vaccination)

..number-- 123,162

10-c. - do 37,333

30-c. c. (for injection of neosalvarsan)

_. ... ..number.. 29,700

Hypodermic (par. 956) do 154,741

Penis, glass, in case do 827,500

Tables:

Bedside, iron, white enamel do 239,210

Dining, extension do 1.817

Instrument. do 6,779

Operating do 2,968

Typewriter do 4.558

Tape measures, linen, 5-feet do 24,000

Thermocauteries, Paquelin's (par. 957). do 3,815

Thermometers:

Bath do 8,350

Clinical..- do 991,738

Meteorological . do 1,500

Thread:

Cotton, assorted .. ."..spools.. 39,600

Linen, unbleached, 200 yards on spool

spools.. 584

Tongue depressors:

Metal number.. 38,959

Wood gross.. 415.200

Tourniquets and bandages, rubber, number.. 38,200
Towels:

Bath dozen.. 243,616

Dish do 162,274

Hand . do 549,969

Paper, in roll rolls . 10,000

Traps, rat number.. 6,000

Trays:

Bed, with legs do 105,020

Butler's do 60,455

Instrument, white enamel do 83,000

APPENDIX

911

Trowels, garden ... . number.. 2,000

Tubes:

Drainage, rubber, in yard lengths, 3 sizes

yards-- 11,200

Rectal-- Dumber.. 1,130

Stomach do 12,025

Tubing:

Glass, assorted pounds.. 24,300

Rubber ...yards.. 251,192

Tubs:

Bath, portable, on wheels number- 500

Foot do.... 8,200

Wash do.... 10,040

Tumblers, glass do 181,450

Typewriters do 9,896

Record ribbons for do 09,650

Urinals, glass, graduated do 25,000

Vials dozen.. 1,344,506

Water coolers number-- 9,010

Laboratory Supplies

Acid, acetic, glacial, 1 pound in bottle. bottles.. 9,000

Agar-agar, a pound in package packages.. 126,000

Alcohol:

Absolute, ethyl, 1 pound in bottle. bottles.. 4,600

Methyl, reagent, 1 pound to bottle— do 9,500

Aniline oil, 2 ounces in bottle ._ do 5,314

Apparatus, distilling number.. 1,782

Balsam, Canada, 1 ounce in bottle bottles.. 2, 064

Baskets, wire, for test tubes number.. 6,012

Baths, water:

For paraffin do 99

Copper, for test tubes do 292

Tripods for do 32

Beakers, glass do 93,582

Bismarck brown, )j ounce in bottle.. .bottles.. 2,732

Bottles:

Balsam ...number.. 1,264

Dropping, T K., for stains, 2-otmce do 56,400

Brornin, 1 ounce in bottle bottles.. 1,000

Brushes, test tube number.. 31,372

Burettes:

Glass stopcock, 25-c. c, subdivision j^ c. e.

number-. 5,586

Supports for, with double clamp and three

rings number-. 834

Burners:

Bunsen's do 836

Hydrocarbon do 600

Centrifuges, hand... do 1,732

Tubes for do 295,155

Covers, glass ounces.. 17,140

Cylinders, graduated, with foot:

10-c, c number.. 5,600

25-c. c do 5,564

Dishes:

Evaporating, porcelain do 31,760

Petri's. do 345,816

Stender, 30 by 50 mm do 36,096

Eosin, \i ounce in bottle bottles.. 7,732

Flasks, Erlenmcyer's:

60-c.c number.. 2,400

120-c.c. do.!.. 7,580

180-c.c __ ...do 5,040

250-c.c do 25,952

500-c.c _do 24,552

1,000-c.e do.... 25,776

2, 000-c. c do 16,508

Forceps:

Cover-glass, Stewart's ... number.. 9

Straight, medium, fine do 7

Fuchsin:

ii ounce in bottle ..bottles.. 964

Acid, \i ounce in bottle do 2,050

Gauze, wire, iron, asbestos centers, 4 by 4 inches

pieces.. 692

Gentian violet, % ounce in bottle bottles.- 9, 114

Glucose, powdered, H pound in bottle.. do 770

Hemoglobin scales, Tallquist's number.. 1,500

Hematoxylin, 'A ounce in bottle bottles.. 582

Hemocytometers number.- 9, 114

Hones, Belgian, 8 by \V<i inches... .do 630

Incubators, bacteriological do 2,245

Jars, staining, Coplin's ...do 15,092

Labels, microscopical, square, 500 book-books.. 800

Methylene blue, H ounce in bottle.. .bottles-, 7,364

Microscopes, post (par. 951) number.. 664

Microtomes, complete do 392

Oil, immersion, 1 ounce in bottle bottles.. 2,032

Paper, filtering, Swedish, Munktel'S quires.. 1,364

Paper, litmus:

Blue, 101) strips, in vial vials...

Red, 100 strips, in vial do / »,ouu

Paraffin pounds.. 10,400

Pencils, wax, red number.. 192

Peptone, \-i pound in bottle bottles.. 26,605

Pipettes:

1-e. c number.. 201,312

5-c. c do 20.544

10-C. c . do 119,834

25-c. c do.-. 10,596

Graduated, 25. c. c do 384

Rings, filtering, porcelain do 1,000

Rods, glass, assorted ...bundles.. 12,273

Section lifters, small . number.. 1,400

Slides, glass 25 hy 75 mm dozen. . 66, 720

Stages, meehnical number.- 328

Stopcocks, Mohr's, for rubber tubing do 256

Test glasses, footed, urinary do 5, 300

Test tubes dozen.. 2,727,287

Stands for .. number . 3,108

Thermometers, chemical:

0-100° C do.-.. 8.194

0-200° C _. do...- 7,432

Tripods, iron, Bunsen's do 1,244

Ureometers, Doremus-Hinds do 1, 198

Criuometers . . do 1,840

Watch glasses, Syracuse.. do 960

Wright's stain, powder, 0.2 gram in ampoule

. -..ampoules.. 600

Xylol, H Pound in bottle bottles.. 6,064

Burettes, 50 c. c, graduated in ,'„ths. number.. 9,294

Identification Supplies

Ink plates _ number-. 1,000

Thermometers, chemical, 0-100° C ..do 1,650

X-ray Supplies

Aprons, rubber, lead-impregoated number.. 845

Barium sulphate, for X-ray work, 1 pound in

bottle .bottles.. 7,550

Bismuth subcarbonate, 1 pound in bottle-do 13,900

Carriers, plate:

8 by 10 inches, for use with tanks. number. _ 100

14 hy 17 inches, for use with tanks.__do 1,782

Chrome alum, crystals, 1 pound in bottle
. bottles.. 69

912

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Films, dental, X-ray, fl dozen in bos boxes.. 8,642

Fluoroscopes, hand number__ 303

Gloves, rubber, lead-impregnated, size 9_pairs__ 884
Holders, plate, for use instead of envelopes

number.. 4,000

Hydroquinon, Vi pound in bottle bottles.. 3,680

Metol, 1 ounce in bottle- do 16,800

Plates, X-ray number.. 47,376

Sodium carbonate, dry, 1 pound in bottle

___ bottles- 12,550

Sodium hyposulphi.e pounds.. 3,525

Sodium sulphite, dry do 9,460

Screens, intensifying, allsizes number.. 4,214

Tanks, developing, porcelain do 714

Trays, developing:

For 10 by 12 plates do 300

For 14 by 17 plates do 300

Tubes, X-ray, tungsten target:

6-inch diameter (for use with induction coil)

number.. 250

7-inch diameter (for use with transformer)
number.. 500

Additional Articles

Ambulances, Ford, complete number.. 2,601

Ambulances (chassis), O. M. C. No. 16. .do...

Ambulance bodies . do...

Gauze, raw and gray goods:

20 by 16 inches wide yards.

22 by 18 inches wide do...

28 by 24 inches wide do...

32 by 28 inches wide do...

44 by 40 inches wide -. do...

Dressers, fumed oak number..

Dental Supplies— Portable Outfit

_

3

704

9,082

7

376

705

. 64

134,

957

. 17

865,

1L«

. 14

444,

950

. 67

400,000

MEDICINES

3,238
20, 720
177, 640

130,800

Acidum trichloraccticum ounces..

Eugenol ...do

Mercury, redistilled ...do

Novocain, 50-mgm. hypodermic tablets (or

equivalent) tubes..

Paraform, 1/10-grain compressed tablets, Form-

acoid type (or equivalent) ...number.. 2.799,000

Phenol, camphorated -..ounces.. 110,480

Sodium and potassium, in scaled tube, .tubes.. 43, 400

stationery

Examination blanks ..number.. 1,696,500

Files, Shannon do 25,600

Rulers do 1,566

BOOKS

Dental Materia Medica and Therapeutics

(Prinz) copies..

Dental Pathology, Therapeutics, and Pharma-
cology (Burchard-lnglis) copies..

Dentistry, First-Aid (Ryan) do

Dentistry, Operative (Johnson) do

Handbook for Sanitary Troops (Mason)., do

Oral Surgery (Brown) do

INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES

Alloy balances number..

Amalgam carriers, double end, No. 5 do

Bands, fracture, Angle's 4 bicuspid and 2 molar

sets..

Blowers, chip, and hot-air syringes. No. 38

..number..

Extra bulbs for do

4, 213

5,213
5,213
5,213
15,020
4,713

5, 720
3,820

7,370
17,162

Boilers, instrument, small, approximately 12 by

6 by 4 inches number. .

Bottles, office preparation, No. 6 do

Broach reamers.. -do

Burnishers .-- do

Cases, office:

Oak preparation, 18H-ounce glass-stopper

bottles _ number. _

Preparation, extra J^-ounce glass-stopper

bottles for number. .

Chisels ... do

Clamps, rubber-dam, Ivory's -- do

Cleansers, root-canal, Donaldson's or S.S.W.,

No. 5__. number..

Corkscrews, folding. . do

Elevators:

Knott's type, right and lert, metal handle

number..

No. 3, metal handle do

Engines, dental, all-cord, with K3 attachment

for No. 7 II. P number..

Engines, dental:

Cables "A" for do

Sheaths for do

Cords for, extra do

Duplex springs for ... _ do

Sheaths for, part 10X -. do

Hand pieces for —

"M," contra-anglc, for slip joint. No. 2

. number..

No. 7, straight, for slip joints No. 2

number.-

Lubricating oil for ounces..

Slip-joint connections lor —

Part C2... number..

Part F2 do

Engine instruments (or hand piece ''H" eontra-
angle:
Burs —

Dentate.. .-number..

Fissure do

Inverted cone ... do

Plug-finishing do

Round . do

Drills do

Mandrels—

Nos. 302 and 303 do

Morgan-Maxficld ... do

Points, carborundum, medium grit,

mounted number-.

Engine instruments for hand piece No. 7:
Burs-
Dentate number..

Fissure do

Inverted cone do

Plug-finishing.. .—do

Round do

Drills ...do

Mandrels —

Nos. 302 and 303 do

Morgan-Maxfield. do

Points, carborundum, medium grit,

mounted.- number..

Excavators, Black's cutting instruments

.number..

Explorers do

Forceps:

Rubber-dam—

Clamp, Brewer's type do

Punch, perfected do

Tooth-extracting do

5,288

56, 952

210, 420

34,060

3,970

57, 740
45, 270
29, 950

136, 540
1,190

9,810
5,100

6,856

125

125

48,270

2,024

230

4,550

3,050
14,050

200
200

168,000

93,600

172,800

31,200

253, 600

72,300

55,300

2,700

89,000

633,368
234, 560
701, 918
59, 370
773,996
121,840

88,218
63,717

99,000

223,720
79,010

5,770
4,720
33,677

APPENDIX

913

Holders:

For cotton, Metbot's type .number,. 7,670

For mercury, ebony No. 2. .. <lo 2,200

For nerve broach, No. 2 do 15,710

Rubber-dam, Anatomik ,... ...do 6,400

Hones, oil, Arkansas stone in wooden boxes

number 2,920

Lamps, alcohol:

No. 26, with Dame shields do 4,320

Extra wicks for.. do 47,070

Lancets:

Abscess, metal handles, octagon, No. 5

...number.. 7,r>20

Gum, metal handles, obtagon, No. 2. do 7,320

Mallets, metal cases, No. 15 do ... 7,350

Matrix retainers, Ivory's No. 1 do 6,300

Extra bands for, bicuspid and molar

number.. 150,380

Matrix strips, copper, soft, M inch wide,

36-gauge number.. 52,750

Mechanical dams, Automaton. do 5,850

-Medicine droppers dozen.. 31,350

Mirrors, mouth:

Aluminum handles, No. 4 number. 13,600

Extra glasses for, size No. 4 ..do 103,380

Mortars and pestles, glass, No. 2 do 4,270

Pliers:

Dressing —

No. 2... ..do 12,400

No. 17 do 2,652

Office, smooth beak, No. 122 do 6,378

Pluggers:

Amalgam, Woodson's.. .... do 22,380

Plastic do 41,886

Root-canal, Donaldson's do 22,430

Pots, medicine, glass, Dappen's do 23,680

Probes, silver do 5,970

Saws, dental:

Complete, Gordon White do 6,500

Gordon White, exira blades for. do 45,520

Scalers:

L.II ...do 64,160

Pyorrhea.. do.... 21,570

Screw portes, Morrison improved, No. 2.do 5,400

Scissors, gum, curved or flat, No. 22 do 4,690

Separators, adjustable, Ivory's do 2,600

Slabs, mixing, glass, No. 6 do 8,080

Spatulas do 22,192

Strips, celluloid, thin do 1,947,800

Syringes:

Hypodermic —

Dental, all metal, No. 172A do 5,780

All metal, extra needles for do 352, 400

Extra needles for conductive anesthesia

(Fischer's type) number.. 44,700

Extra needles for do 173,628

Water, self-filling, all metal do 10,860

Self-filling, extra pipes for, curved. ..do 6, 060

Tool, universal _ do 9,466

Wire, ligature. Angle's, No. 187 boxes.. 8,106

FURNITURE

Chairs, dental, portable, metal frame, in chests
number.. 4,030

Chests:

Supply, empty do 6,220

Instrument, empty.. .. do 3,800

Cuspidors, nickel-plated, No. 6 --uo 350

30663—28 58

Desks, field, dental, empty ..number., 5,320

Stands, portable, complete, less tables for field

use, Clark's type number.. 500

Tables, pressed steel, white, No. 90, Harvard
type, table bases to fit Clark's type stands
number.. 540

MISCELLANEOUS

Alloy:

Copper ...ounces.. 16,310

To comply with Black's physical standards
. ounces.. 72,740

Boxes, soap, metal, small number.. 23,670

Cement:

Copper oxy phosphate, black... boxes.. 2,700

Oxyphosphate, colors do 135,400

Cotton, absorbent . rolls.. 5,044.000

Cots, finger, rubber dozen.. 10,563

Covers, paper, aseptic, 12 by 12 inches, for

bracket table _ boxes.. 17,950

Cups, polishing, soft rubber, small. ..number.. 678,740

Disks:

Bristle .do 1.035,582

Carborundum, knife-edge . . ilo ... 222,486

Sandpaper boxes., 61,428

Garnet paper do 58,928

Emery paper _ do 67,428

Cuttle-fish paper ..do 63,428

Fiber, devitalizing, arsenical, in jar jars.. 8,050

Floss, silk, waxes spools.. 112,032

Gutta-percha stopping:

High-heat sticks ounces.. 24,880

Temporary, pink sticks do 56,890

Modeling composition, Perfection (Detroit)

pounds.. 20,240

Napkins, dental, aseptic - do 1.7,130,000

Paper:

Articulating, thin, in books books.. 11,955

Bibulous, Japanese sheets.. 422,700

Points, absorbent boxes.. 74,760

Plaslerof Paris, French, impression. .pounds.. 122,856

Points:

Root-canal, gutta-percha .boxes.. 62,879

Soft-rubber, corrugated number.. 460,840

Pumice stone, powdered pounds., 1,400

Rubber dam, plain, medium, 18 feet by 6 inches,

in sealed tins tins.. 17,940

Sandarac, gum ounces.. 16,601

Stoves, alcohol, Dangler type number.. 1,120

Strips, polishing, assorted grits, in boxes

--- boxes.. 38,908

Wheels, carborundum, square edge.. number. . 8,072

Wood, orange, sticks, large boxes.. 19,070

Base Outfit
office furniture and equipment

Anvils, cast base number.. 608

Aprons, rubber do 190

Air compressors, unit, automatic, electric, with

tank. No. 95 ..number.. 534

Tubing, connections, and valves for. .do 1,422

Benches, combination, No. 17, with bellows

number.. 526

Cabinets, dental, aseptic, pressed-steel. No. 510

..number.. 717

Chairs, dental (Harvard, Diamond, or Colum-
bia), wood seal and back (white). .number. . 1.550

914

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Cups, drinking:

Paper.. _ boxes.. 30,301)

Holders, No. 1, for number.. 312

Cuspidors, fountain. No. 6:

Complete with saliva ejectors, floor con-
nections for, and table attachments, white

enamel number.. 1,065

Extra howls for do 254

Engines, dental, electric, folding brackets, all-
cord, with part K-3,forH.P. 7— number.. 1,184

Forceps, crown-slitting.. - do 1,171

Heaters, electric, No. 3:

Spray bottles and water gasses do... 1,542

Cut-offs No. 4, with 8 feet of tubing for

operating spray bottles .number.. 1,140

Port polishers, contra-angle ...do 205

Wood points for, assorted, in box... boxes. .

Post pullers, Little Giant. number.. 1,615

Root reamers, Peeso's. do — 1,300

Root facers, safe-side, for H. P. 7 ...do.— 1,950

Shade bars -do.-- 630

Switchboards, electric, type 1A do.- 402

Syringes:

Hot-air, electric do 497

Water, 21A do... 10,000

Extra bulbs for do..-- 19,700

Tables, pressed-steel, white, No. 90, Harvard

type, table bases to fit chair arms-number.. 500

LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

Articulators:

Plain line number-. 2,390

Crown and bridge. No. 5 do 4,000

Blowpipes, automaton do ™)

Bowls, plaster do 3,850

Bridge repair sets. - do.— J. 090

Extra nuts for -do 11,280

Brushes, laboratory, plain, stiff bristles, 'j inch

... number.. 5,275

Burners, Bunsen's dental, No. 12, with spiders

_ number-. 80

Casting machines do 854

Chalk, prepared pounds- 13,357

Cones, felt, large ... number . 39,470

Pentimeters, Kirk's No. 2 do 1.241

p'iles, gold:

Flat.fiinch ...do.... 411

Round, 6inch -do 572

Forceps, mechanical, clasp-bending, No. 8,

MeKellon's number.. 1,001

Gauges, plate and wire, Brown & Shnrpe do 190

Hammers, swaging, I 1 ■_» pounds do 1.058

Investment compound - .pounds.. 25,335

Knives, plaster.... .number.. 1,601

Ladles, melting, No. 8 do 1,721

Lamps, alcohol, large, Purdy's .do 1,547

Lathes, electric, including 7 chucks and bur

chuck number.. 129

Metal, MelletCs. ..ingots.. 6,333

Moldiue compound - -- pounds. 1,958

Pliers:

Contouring—

No. 115, Crescent. .number.. 1.469

No. 114. Johnson do 1.410

Round nose. No. 107 ..do.... 1,024

Rubber, red- . - - pounds.. 8,190

Sandpaper - — .sheets.. 408,336

Saws, frame, mechanical number 1,351

Extra blades for .— do 53,572

Shears . - do 8,303

Soldering and heating outfl.'s, gasoline gener-
ators, No. 45, complete, less blowpipe stands

number. _

Soldering appliances, Mellett's improved, with
blowpipe, pads and clamps, complete

... number..

Spatulas:

Plaster, 4-inch... do

Rubber, 4-inch do

Tongs, soldering, 7 inch do

Trays:

Lower impression... do

l T ppcr impression- do

Tubing, rubber, V? inch, heavy wall, white

. ..feet

Tweezers number. _

Vises, bench, jewelers', 2 inch ... do— .

Wax:

Carvers for, Reach's ...do

Inlay boxes..

Base-plate, pink . pounds..

Wheels:

Brush — number .

Carborundum, lathe, square edge, 1 and 2
inch diameter, ,"„ inch width. . .number .

Felt do

Whetstones, carborundum, 5 inch. do

Wire binding, 32 gauge spools..

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES

Burnishers, tantalum, double-ended, No. 1

number..

Spatulas, agate or hone do

Synthetic porcelain, Caulk's, 10 shades, full

portion in box boxes. .

Shade guides for number. .

Anchor flasks ...do

Bolts for sets..

Cusp die plates, No. 5 .. number.

Flask, "box". . - do

Flask presses.. ... do

Ladles, with handles (melting) do

Lead -- ingots..

Molding rings, for metal dies, Bailey type

number..

Molding sand.. .- tins..

Plate, German silver, Brown & Sharpe gauge,

No. 30, size 6 by 6 inches pieces-
Rubber, red, vulcanite pounds..

Solder, silver ounces. .

Swagers (metal).-. — .number

Swaging mallets, horn - . — -do

Vulcanite files . do

Vulcanite scrapers and finishers do

Vulcanizers, 3 flasks, gas or kerosene do

Wire, German silver, gauge 12, lfi, and 18.

4-foot lengths.. .. .. lengths..

Zinc --- -..ingots-
Headgears ..number

Ligatures, rubber. boxes .

Plate dies, No. 5 . .number .

Pliers, Buffalo, dress:

No. I do

No. 3 do

Portable dress outfits.. — -do

Saliva ejectors - - do

Stands, portable, complete, with cuspidor anil

table in case number .

Solder, gold .. pennyweight. .

1, 189

1, 148

3, 873
3. 440
5, 433

5, 932
5,992

1. 120
15,359

577

145

1,201
2,853

14,901

20,380

10.303

286

830

2, 865
1,185

1,220
1.345
2,442
2,412
470
1,400
1, 111
1.819
19, 950

3,060
1,630

830
8,642
2. 553
1,931
5, 100
1,936
12.400
1, 161

345

9,770

1,680

280

821

9,600

5,100

10

480

3.680
3,400

APPENDIX

915

Soldering fluid bottles. 340

Tap and die, Guilford sets.. 280

Teeth, Trubyte, assorted do 1,070

Wire, clasp, No. 13 gauge, gold and platinum
pennyweight.. 760

Field Medical Supplies
medicines and antiseptics

Acetphenetidinum (Phenacetin), 324-mgm.

tablets, 500 in bottle bottles.. 3,501

Aciduni boricum, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles.. 116,070

Acirfum salicylicum, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in

bottle bottles.. 32,800

Acidum tannieum, 321-mgm. tablets, 500 in

bottle _ bottles.. 9,500

Aspirin, 324-mgm. tablets, or equivalent, 500 in

bottle bottles.. 350,648

Bismuthi subnitras, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in

bottle bottles.. 93, 000

Caffeina citrate, 05-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles.. 40,400

Capsicum, 32-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle-do 38,000

Chloralum hydratum, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in

bottle bottles.. 40.800

Codeina, 32-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle. .do 19,700

Hexamethylenamina (Urotropin), 324-mgm.

tablets, 500 in bottle bottles.. 105,415

Iodine swabs ..number.. 26.744,500

lodum-potasii iodidum tubes.. 18,793,900

Linimentum rubefaciens, tablets (par. 902), 250

in bottle bottles.. 81,840

Mistura, glycyrrhizae eomposita, tablets (par.

902), 1,000 in bottle bottles.. 629,600

Morphinse sulphas, 8 mgm. tablets, 500 in hot tie

bottles.. 19,600

Nitroglycerin, O.fiS-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles.. 1.000

Petrolatum.. ounces.. 10,162,800

Phenylis salicylas (Salol), 324-mgm. tablets, 500

in bottle bottles.. 44,450

Pilulae camphora? et opii (or tablets) (par. 902),

500 in bottle . bottles.. 98,047

Plumbi acetas, 130-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles.. 30,280

Potassii bromiduni, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in

bottle bottles.. 33,001

Potassii iodidum, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

- bottles.. 86,500

Potassii permauganas, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in

bottle.. bottles.. 27,350

Pulvis ipecacuanha! et opii, 324-mgm. tablets,

500 in bottle bottles.. 125,150

Sodii bicarbonas, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles.. 178.000

Sodii salicylas, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles.. 179,560

Tinctura digitalis, o.3-c. c. tablets, 500 in bottle

...bottles.. 19.887

Zinci sulphas, 324-mgm. tablets, 500 in bottle

bottles.. 22,500

STATIONERY

Books, note, manifolding, 4 by 6 inches, fillers

number.. 380,000

Envelopes, official, large do 535,000

Files, Shannon, small do 115,600

Ink, red, powder (or tablets) boxes.. 6,500

Paper, writing:

Letter, 100 sheets in pad — .. pads.. 152,000

Note, 100 sheets in pad do 750,000

Paste, photo, in tube, with brush.. ... tubes. . 257,000

Pencils, indelible dozen.. 26,873

Tags.shipping ...number.. 7,375,000

miscellaneous

Aprons, rubber number.. 79,125

Ax helves, short ... do 37,200

Axes, short handle ..do 12,500

Hags, rubber, hot-water and syringe do 20,000

Bandages:

Game, compressed gross.. 530,360

Plaster of Paris. 3-inch, in individual packets

dozen.. 156,689

Pars, mosquito, frames for . .. .pairs.. 244,000

Spreaders for frames ...number.. 122,000

Basins, rubber ...do 72,020

Bedpans, box of (par. 906) ... do 1,000

Bedsacks ... __ do 280,000

Beef, soluble, liquid, or extract ounces.. 2,071,637

Blankets, rubber number.. 171,001)

Bottles, 4-liter, for antiseptic solutions.-do 10,788

Boxes, pack mule, empty (par. 909) do 10,300

Buckets, enamel ware, 3 in nest nests.. 8,000

Calcium carbide, to pounds, in tin tins.. 19,998

Candles.. pounds.. 140,960

Cases:

Bedding-
Large, empty.. number.. 34,400

Small, empty ... do 20,320

Instrument, medical officer's (par. 919)

number.. 33,500

Medicine, medical officer's (par. 920) .do 37, 000

Microscopical supplies, supplementary

(par.921) number.. 300

Operating, small (par. 922) do 12,502

Tooth-extracting. 3 forceps, in canvas roll

number.. 8,725

Chairs, folding do 230,030

Chests:

Acetylene (par. 927) do 25

Commode (par. 928). .. ..do 3,000

Cooking utensils (par. 929), empty. .do 2,800

Field laboratory—

No. 1 (par. 930) do... i

No. 2 (par. 931) ... do..../

Medical and surgical (par. 932).. do 23,320

Supplementary (par. 933)... do 115

Mess (par. 934) do 3.800

Sterilizer (par. 935) do 5,200

Tableware (par. 936) do 5,200

Tool-
No. 1 (par. 937) .. ..do 1,024

No. 2 (par. 938) do.... 3.312

Cocoa .. .. .ounces.. 6,294,928

CofTee, ground pounds.. 97,240

Corks:

Assorted, 300 in bag bags.. 20,025

No. 2, 150 in bag do 21,840

No. 7, for alcohol tins number.. 60, 000

Cots do 130,000

Cotton, absorbent, sterilized, 1 ounce in pack-
age packages.. 18,500,000

Desks, field:

No. 1 (par. 940) number.. 4,950

No. 2 (par. 941).. do.... 18,680

916

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Flasks.

Empty (par. 8641 number

Empty (par. 9071 . do.—

Food, ambulance boxes ol (pur. 947) — do

Food, boxes of (par. 948) — do..

Funnels, agateware - -do

Oauze, plain, sterilized, 2 hair-yard lengths in

package packages..

Gauze, sublimated, 2 half-yard lengths, la

package packages..

Head mirrors, in case (par. 933) number..

Individual dressing packets (par. B49).-do

Inhalers, ehlorotorm, Esmaroh, with drop
hollies ..number..

Lamps, acetylene "O

Lanterns:

Folding - d0

Globes for—

Qrecn ''" ---

130, <XX)
1 10, i»xi

too

100
3.100

1, 100,000

31,000, (K)0

22, (.98

14,324,060

19, -160
1,250

33, 560

While *>.... SB8.S80

:if. 333

Wicks for dozen..

Without globes or wicks number

Matches, safety, boxes dozen..

Microscopes, field, with accessory cases (par.

asm _ number.

Milk, condensed, unsweetened pounds..

Mortars and pestles, porcelain. 7-cm. number

Nails, cement-coated. — pounds.

Pill tiles, bard rubber number..

19. 000
340. SIX)

600
189,840

17,000

20. 510
14, loo

Pillow sac

, ks ....do.... 280,000

.do..-.

Pitchers. 3-liter, enamel ware
Plaster

Adhesive, zinc oxide, 5-yards by 1 inch
spools. .

rolls..

...yards..

feet..

number

do....

. pounds..
sets..

...do...

....rolls,
niimlier

Isinglass. 1 yard in roll.

Moleskin. .- ... ....

Rope, H-ineh.

Saddles, paek ipur. 953)

Scissors (par. 932) —

Soup

Specula, ear. :t in set (par. 933)

Splints:

Coaptation, 5 In set

Win' gauze for. I yard in roll

Wood-veneer .........

Sponges, gauze. 1 dozen in box. boxes..

Stoppers, rubber, lor 4-ounce vials.. . dozen.
Stoves, alcohol. ... number.

Fxtra wicks for do

Sugar, granulated - .pounds..

Surgical dressings (par. 955) - -boxes .

Ambulance (par. 954).- ...do

Sutures, catgut:

Chromiclsed, 3 sizes in package packages.

Plain. 3 sizes in package .do

Syringes:

Hypodermic, extra needles for. ..number..
Rectal, hard rubber, 8 ounce (pur. 933)
number..
Tables

Mess, rolding -do

Operating, field, folding. do

Togs, diagnosis books

Tape measure, 60-incb.. .number..

'p tnl _ ....... ..pounds..

Test tubes, 3 in nest.. nests..

Tools, universal .. number..

Tourniquets (par. 907) do —

Trusses (for supporting liners used as operating
tables) - number..

200

2. 023. 828
21,500

102, (XXI

330.

2, (XX)

4, 346

109,824

15.702

51,500

I. 108,808

218,000

500, (XX)

36, 886

8, 320
4,000

786, 640

412

1, 212

S7II.IK.0
1,300,000

2, 084, 09«

25, 000

9, 0(X)
3,200

!)7\ 110
20. 300
38,085
55, 000
13, 566

!'.,. MO

5.000

Twine:

Coarse .pounds .

Fine do

Urinals, enamel ware or agateware. ..number..

Venereal prophylaxis units (par. 958; do

Viate-
l-ounce. dozen.-

2-ounce - do

4-ounce -—do

Wire colters . number..

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES

Ambulance boxes.. number..

Bandages, paper. 2' witch, 3-inch, 3 1 2-inch, by

IS yards... . gross..

Bottles:

4-ounce. oval do

Assorted.. do

Hard rubber screw cap number

Boxes, brass, For emergency eases do —

Cans, tin, 5-ga Hon ... ... do

Cases:

Canvas, for emergency eases .do

Linen, for emergency cases do.

Canvas, for forceps do...

Complete, for enlisted men.. . .do

Empty, (or enlisted men do.

Mailing do..

Duck:
Gray—

72-inch yards. -

Wj-iwh . do

Khaki—

29-inch — . do

28' 2-inch. . do

White, 108-lneh do.—

Pluidextractum belladonee, red, > 4 pint in

bottle - ...bottles..

Flnidextracuun digitalis, M pint in bottle

bottles..

Jars, 8-OUnce.- dozen..

Pepper, black, ground - tins—

Pouches, hospital corps ...number..

Saddle, pack:

Mantasfor do.—

Padsfor. ...do.—

Spreaders fir — do

Leather load straps for -do

Web straps for do

Salt, table, 2pounds in carton canons..

Searchlights. Mazda No. 63 number..

Syringes, penis, hard rublwr ...do

Tanks, for alcohol - ' do

Tags, record -do —

Tins:

Measure. 2-gram . -do

Small, for chests - -do —

Wire, soft iron. No. 17 Brown <xc Sharpe, 100 fee:

in coil - - coils..

2s. 750

43. 750

104,000

150

66, 000

103, 400

86, 750

16,001

82. 100
46, 168

5,000

29, 801)

414,273

4,000
27,000

24, (XX)
5, 400
17,418
3(X), 000
77.000
93, 900

105

23, 300

27, 720

248, 800

35

3. MS

050
2, 578
24, 700
12,000

3,200
2,000
4,400

12,000
3,300
3.600
3,200

74.704
7, 1IX)

70,000

32.000
1.029.400

8,000

Yktk.uinaky Supplies

mepicisks, antiseptics, and disinfect ants

Aeetanilidum. 30-grain tablets, 100 in bottle

bottles.. 11.900

Acidum boricum. powdered ...pounds.. 25,500

Aciilimi salieylieum ounces.. 35.700

Acidum tannieuin, powdered ...do — 28,650

APPENDIX

917

Adrenalin ehlorid, 1-mgni. tablets, 20 in tube

._ ._ tubes_. 418,750

^Sther, l -z pound in tin, ... ..tins.. 76,300

Alcohol _„ .gallons.. 24,890

Aloe, powdered, 2 ounces in bottle bottles.. 7,375

Alumen, 00-grain tablets. 100 in bottle.__do 3, 150

Ammonii carbonas, lumps pounds.. 5,950

Ammonii ehloridum, (iO-grain tablets, 100 in

bottle .- bottles.. 5,200

Apomorphinae hydrochloridum, ,Vgrain hypo-
dermic tablets, 10 in tube tubes.. 975

Aqua ammonia?, 10 per cent pounds.. 27,500

Arecolinae hydrobromidum, 1 -grain hypodermic-
tablets, 10 in tube .tubes.. 15,000

Argenti nitras fusus _ ounces... 9,750

Camphora, powder . .pounds.. 18,850

Cantharidis, powdered.. ,_. .ounces.. 17,000

Car bo ligni (charcoal), powdered pounds.. 14,300

Chlorazene, 500 tablets in bottle. .bottles.. 2,400

Chloroformum pounds.. 11,500

Chloralum hydratum ._ do 3.400

Cocainae hydrochloridum, 2-grain hypodermic

tablets, 10 in tube »... tubes. _ 7,950

Cupri sulphas _ . ..pounds.. 24,875

Ferri sulphas exsiccatus do 5,236

Fluidextractum cannabis, U.S. P.. .do 12,650

Fluidextractum digitalis ..do 1,787

Fluidextractum nucis vomica. ..do 4,750

Fluidextractum gentianse do 4,750

Glycerinum do 5, 750

Hydrargyri ehloridum corrosivum tablets (anti-
septic) (par. 902), 250 in bottle bottles.. 1,890

Hydrargyri ehloridum mite, 30-grain tablets,

100 in bottle . bottles.. 19,700

Hydrargyri iodidum rubrum _ ..pounds.. 3,000

Iodurn, 4 ounces in bottle bottle.. 8,200

Iodoform pounds.. 2,387

Liquor cresolis compositus gallons.. 62.375

Magnesii sulphas pound, __ 235,000

Mallein vials.. 20,120

Morphime sulphas. 3-grain hypodermic tablets,

10 in tube tubes.. 2,900

Normal saline solution tablets (par. 902), 100 in

bottle.. .bottles.. 5,950

Oleum gossypii seminis _ gallons.. 29,600

Oleum lini do 2ti, 200

Oleum terebinthinfereetincatuin. .quarts.. 6,900

Petrolatum pounds.. 68,405

Phenol do 11,57

Physostigminae salicylas, 1-grain hypodermic

tablets, 10 in tube tubes.. 700

Pilocarpina' hydrochloridum, 1 grain hypoder-
mic tablets, 10 in tube tubes.. 9,550

Pilulae aloini comp. (equine purgative) (par.

902), 12 in package packages.. 20,200

Plumb! acetas ___ pounds.. 19,100

Potassii iodidum do 5, 115

Potassii nitras 60-grain tablets, 100 in bottle,

bottles.. 10,550

Sapo mollis (green soap) pounds.. 342,800

Sodii bicarbonas do 7,150

Spirit us eetheris nitrosi do 24,800

Spuitus ammonias aromaticus do 24, 120

Strychninae sulphas, y % grain hypodermic

tablets, 10 in tube _ tubes.. 140,750

Sulphoearbolate comp., 30-grain tablets (par.

902), 100 in bottle bottles.. 9,550

Sulphur lotum pounds.. 9,950

Tar, pine do fi,900

Tinctura ferri chloridi do 1,820

Tinctura opii.. pounds .

Zinc! ehloridum do

Zinci oxidum _ do

Zinci sulphas . .... _ do

STATIONERY

Erasers, rubber, pencil ..number..

Labels for vials gross..

Labels, poison do

Paper:

Carbon, letter.. ._ ..boxes..

Writing —

Letter ..pads..

Note _. do

Paste, photograph, in tube, with brush .tubes..
Pencils, lead.. ... number..

MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES

Bandages:

Canton flannel, 3 yards by 4 inches.. dozen..
Roller, muslin, 3 yards by 4 inches. .do

Basins, granite:

(-quart, round. ...number..

2-quart, round __. do

4 -quart, round do

Blankets, horse do

Boilers, instrument, H. I). Fig. 1641, 16 inches
__ number..

Boxes, ointment , impervious:

2-ounce dozen..

4-ounce do

Brushes, hand, fiber... ..number..

Buckets, galvanized-iron, 14-quart do

Cases:

Dental, in roll (par. 939) __do

Farrier's (par. 970) do

General operating, veterinary, in roll (par.

971) ... number

Hoof (par. 972) do

Hypodermic tablet .. _ .do

With 12 vials filled as follows:

1 apomorphine hydrochlor., T \
grain.

3 arecoline, 1-grain.

2 cocaine hydrochlor., 2-grain.
1 glonoin, A -grain.

5 strychnine sulp., ' 2 -grain.

Pocket, veterinary (par. 974) number _

Post-mortem, veterinary (par. 975). .do

Rectal pump (par. 976) do

Thermo-catitery, ether (p; t r.977) do

Catheters:

1 1 orse, rubber, size No. 20, A merican

number

Mare, metal-. .. do

flippers:

Horse, hand . ... ... do

Machine ......do

Blades for. ... do

Heads fcr do

Corks, long taper:

SizeNo.3 dozen..

SizeNo.4 do

SizeNo.6 do

SizeNo.7 - do

Corkscrews, field, folding numtwr..

Cotton, absorbent, 1 pound in roll__.pounds__

Dental Hoats:

Straight, screw-driver end on handle,

... .. number..

Universal file blades for do

Universal rasp blades for.. do

1,600

812

2,380

7,750

3,000
1,182
1,000

1,000

18,000

36, (XX)
fj.ooo

52, 000

71.6(H)
4 1 . (100

1,200

1,200

1,450

71,990

640

20, 004

15,000

1,200

13, (XX)

186
5,000

180
1,030
9. 9(10

S, 200

430

320

210

2,300

300

5,550

2,950

7,200

4,400

7,500

7,500

7.500

7,500

1,330

78,000

3,280

1(1,380

15, 180

918

FINANCE AND SUPPLY

Disinfectors:

Spray, hand .number.. 1,925

Spray pump, on skids do -<N

Funnels, enameled, 250-c. c ...do 750

Gauze, plain, bleached yards.. 548,000

Gloves, rubber, sizes $}■> and 9.... pairs.. 2,060

Graduates, glass:

]n- c . c number.. 850

100-c.c .. do.... S50

SOO^.c — —do.... 600

Guns, balling do.... 4,950

Harness, casting, 's-inch rope. -do 516

Hoods, operating, horse --do <i0

Lamps, spirit, glass do 575

Lanterns:

Complete -do.— 3,800

Kxtra globes for, white .do.... 4,000

Wicks for.... - do.... 0,048

Medicine droppers.... - dozen.. 5,040

Mortars and pestles, Wedgwood:

H-cm.. number.. 500

20-cm do.... 250

Needles, surgical, assorted papers 12,500

Oakum, surgical .pounds.. 160,000

Opthalmoscopes number. 150

Pill tiles, 10 by 10 inches do 315

Plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide, 5 yards by 2' 2

inches ..spools.. 9,250

Pots, watering number. 100

Pus basins do.... 65

Razors- do.... 1,690

Saddlebags, veterinarian's ...do 2,400

Scales and weights, Troemer's.... ...-do.— 175

Slings, suspending --do 845

Soap, Ivory cakes.. 92,000

Spatulas:

4. mc h number.. 200

10-inch - do.... 65

Sponges, animal, large pounds.. 350

stethoscopes, double number.. 100

Stoves, coal-oil, blue-flame, 1 burner do 550

Wicks for do.... 1,600

Sutures, linen, sterilized, 18 inches each, 2 sizes

(Nos. 16 and 20), in package.— .packages.. 58, 000
Sutures:

Silk, braided, sizes 4,8, 12. 16,20... spools.. 5,650
Tape, sterilized. 18 Inches each, 2 pieces in

package ....packages.. 30,000

Syringes:

Hypodermic, Quitman, 5-c. c, in canvas

case (par. 973) ..number.. 2, 100

Extra needles for do 11.008

Extra wires for ...bundles.. 650

Metal, dose, 1 ounce, 2 ounces, 4 ounces,
with 6-inch pipes for, 2 sizes ( 3 8 inch and

»i nc h) number.. 11,010

Tables, equine operating.. do 129

Tourniquets and bandages, rubber, Esmarch

_ ..number.. 55,000

Towels, hand - dozen.. 300

Trays, instrument, white enamel, 12 by 6

inches number . . 15,000

Tubes, stomach - do 2,785

Heed cleaning stylets for do 1,760

Tubing, rubber, Ji-ineh yards.. 10,600

Vials:

2-ounce - ...-dozen.. 12,572

4-ounce do 4.008

8-ounce ...do 4,756

16-ounce do 3,372

32-ounce - -do 3,162

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES

Adrenalin and cocaine tablets, 20 in tube

_.- tubes.. 4,200

Fluidextractum belladonnas, !i pound In bottle

bottles.. 5,690

Fluidextractum stramonii semina>, \i pound

in bottle ..bottles.. 3,000

Quinina? sulphas:

1 pound in bottle do 1,400

30-grain tablets, 100 in bottle do 5.000

Tablets, white lotion, 100 in bottle do 300

Directors, grooved, 5! 2 and 6 inches number.. 600
Forceps:

Done, rongeur, Luer do 155

Dissecting, 5 and 6 inch -do 4,900

Dressing -do 2,300

nozeman —do 450

Haemostatic. Pern's, 5U inch do 600

Tooth, Wolf do 15

Mallets, rawhide, large do 120

Pumps, rectal, injection do 50

Scalpels, folding do 5.000

Scissors, dressing, curve I -do 4,150

Shears, fetlock - do 800

Speculum, mouth ... do 1,400

Syringes:

Antitoxin do 400

Ilypodermic. 30 c. c do 1,000

Clinical Diagnosis of Internal Diseases (Wilkins)

_ ...copies.. 70

Colics of Horse (Reek) do.... 70

Diseases ol Horses' Feet (Reek) .do 370

Chests, veterinary officers number.. 1,000

Capsules, gelatin, 1 -ounce do 288,000

Files, triangular. do 300

Stocks, metal, Ajax -do 259

Tags, Identification, animal do 1,800,000

Tubes, trachea - do 4,100

Wallets:

Veterinary officers do 1 4 5(J0

Farrier's - - do /

INDEX

Accountability: p as«

for supplies sent to the American Expeditionary Forces 743

medical supply depot 420

supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 810

Accounting, finance and, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 817

Accounts of civilian personnel, analysis and record, finance and accounting division,

chief surgeon's office, A. E. F "_ 820

Accounts section, finance department, New York medical supply depot 081

Activities:

connected with the overseas transportation of supplies 713-745

shipping regulations 729

transport unit equipment 737

depot, medical supply depots , 69

miscellaneous, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 808

of distributing medical supply depots 659-711

motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky 697

New York medical supply depot 659

of Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2, Gievres, France 825

Administration, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2, Gievres, France 825

Administrative department, New York medical supply depot 665

Administrative subdivision, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 55

Advance depots and army parks, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 775

Advertisement, form of circular, for bids 109

Advertising for bids 107

Agencies:

storing, distributing, using 67

using, 81

Allies, billing for hospital charges, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's

office, A. E. F 821

Allowance, initial, supplies and equipment, camp medical supply service 429

Ambulance:

assembly unit 401

body_._! 351

improvements 353

Model A A 356

Model B _._ 351

chassis 337

improvements 338

new contracts for 343

production 345

storage pending distribution 345

company —

field equipment 265

field hospital, and other divisional unit equipment 263

motor equipment of _ 437

Ford-
body model, 1918 366

chassis model, 1918 369

new contracts 369

motor —

subdivision, Surgeon General's^Office 333

supply depot, Louisville, Ky 697

Ambulances:

donated 407

Ford 363

model, 1917 363

motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky 701

G. M. C., motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky 701

919

920 INDEX

Ambulances — Continued. Page

motor — ,„.,

camp medical supply service - J™

gasoline, oils, and greases 4 **

Mexican border mobilization ._ •"

operation and maintenance- ..

spare parts "'

shortage of, 1918 ?.™

veterinary

American Expeditionary Forces:

Medical Department purchasing and disbursing office- - <0|

medical supplies i, .i

supplies sent to the, termination of accountability for. _ '*>
Analysis and record: , ...... ,. ,

of accounts of civilian personnel, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon 8

office, A. E. F ----. T"V > an K~rt~i>~ bio

of disbursements, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon s office, A. k.. * - K19

of hospital funds, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon s office, A. t,. * - XM

Apparatus: ., r

portable disinfecting, Mexican border mobilization--, *g

A , jendix'""^' X " ray — - "853-918

Appraisers division, inspection "department, New York medical supply depot.. 675

Appropriations: . ...

deficiency, Mexican border mobilization °*

estimates and qi

summary of oi

transfers of --,.--.-. ,"."; — ~~r~~a* C "t? "tt~ " tts

\rmv parks and advance depots, supply division, chief surgeon s office, A. K. H -- ( o
Arrangements for returning important financial and property papers to the United

St ates 40 j

Assembly unit , ambulance -.- - - ,-- " J£"

Auditing money vouchers, finance and accounting division, chief surgeons office,

Auditors, traveling, of "hospital YimdV, "finance and" accounting "division, chief surgeon's

* ... » XT "C O^U

office, A. t,. t jig

Authority to make contracts - - — - - - : - ,- --zr" V " w " "p" ens

Authorization for employing civilians, supply division, chief surgeon s office, A. E. I - 808

Automatic supply, A, E. F j j j

Awards to bidders 32 5

Bandages, compressed gauze-.. .- - ---- Rlfi

Base and evacuation hospitals, dental equipment for -

Base dental outfit

Base hospital: =99

overseas, cost of initial equipment of a 1,000-bed.- "^

supplies and equipment ,„,

Base hospitals, overseas, supplies and equipment. . *™

Base outfits, dental ------ '.■ i ~ ~ "i m^T'h'rf ~i" 770

Base section and base storage depots, supply division, chief surgeon s office, A. E. I UV

Bum. storage depots and base section depots, supply division, chief surgeons office, __^

A. E. F. "I"~582, 593

Bedside unit, X-ray ' ,- 5

Bedsteads - - - - --y:-- --— ; 242

Belts, web, for enlisted men, Medical Department-- «*

Bid, form

Bids: . . .107

advertising for ---- ,,,,,

form of circular advertisement for. , jj

received, disposition of .- :."".". rr V" "•'.

Billing Allies for hospital charges, finance and accounting division, chief surgeons ^

Billing section, requisition "depart merit, New York medical supply depot..

Biologicals: ... 466

camp medical supply service 1(;i)

other '" 654

veterinary 479

Blankets 480

Boards of review, contracts..

INDEX 921

Body: Pag.)

ambulance 351

improvements _ __ "•"" ^^

Model A A ___ " " _"" *""" " 35^

Model B II""!""! 351

Body model, 1918, Ford ambulance " "ZZ 360

Bureau of accounts and finance bureau, liaison with, finance and accounting division,

chief surgeon's office, A. E. F g23

Camp infirmary :

equipment 25S

supplies and equipment 433

Camp medical supply depot 41 1

personnel 4U

Camp medical supply service 41 1-474

special supplies 4 ( ;g

supplies and equipment 429

Cancellations following signing of the armistice, X-ray contracts _ _ 600

Car:

record department, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2, Gievres, France 835

spare parts gen

Cost of initial equipment of a 1,000-bed base hospital (overseas) "I"""" Z . " 522

Catgut sutures _ __ 554

Central hospital fund:

custodianship of, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office A E F 820

Third Army, A. E. F §23

Channels for lower litters, ambulance body "II" 354

Chassis :

ambulance 337

improvements II""I"II"! 338

new contracts for 340

production 34 V

storage pending distribution "" ~_~_ 345

boxed, factory shipments of '"__"__"_ 346

Model AA _ _ " 3, ()

model, 1918, Ford ambulance III"! 359

Checking and checking problems, operations division, intermediate Medical Supply

^ Depot No. 2, Gievres, France _ * §39

Chief surgeon's office, supply division, organization and activities of 747

Circular advertisement for bids, form of j m

Civilian employees:

medical supply depots __ ,57

motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Kv " 699

New York medical supply depot ". "__ " -663 660

Civilian personnel, analysis and record of accounts of, finance and accounting divi-
sion, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 820

Civilians, authorization for employing, supply division, chief Vurgeon's office, A? E. F " SOS

Clearance:

and priority of materials to be manufactured 151

certificate, issue of, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office, A" E. F 821

Clearances, materials to be manufactured _ !=«;

Combat equipment 251

camp infirmary " o'es

Quartermaster and Ordnance supplies 261

replenishments 261

Commissioned personnel:

medical supply depots o-

motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky '_ 698

New York medical supply depot 6 fi3

Compilation of statistical data and financial reports, finance and accountinK division"

chief surgeon's office, A. E. F K 22

Compressed gauze bandages 32 5

Consolidation:

of finances 223

of procurement 207

motor vehicles 391

of storage -5

Constitution, evolution of the Medical Department supply system, under the 15

Containers and trucks, food. _ . . ._ . 439

922 INDEX

Page

and authorization section, procurement subdivision, finance and supply division,

Surgeon General's Office |°

review . „e

administrative jz?

numbering Jf£

Contracts JiS

authority to make "2

boards of review J^c

copies required j*?

disposition of numbers and copies J*°

forms of 114

new — ,,,

for ambulance chassis ;j*j>

Ford ambulance -------- 2jjr

Controlled stores, supply division, chief surgeon s office, A. E. it -.. vol

Copies: .„„

of contracts, disposition of numbers and --- ||«J

required, contracts

Cotton: ... , ( tc

and linters, factors affecting production of supplies. . i|0

felt mattresses --.- T'."."

Custodianship of central hospital fund, finance and accounting division, chief sur-
geon's office, A. E. F 8i0

Cvcles, motor. (See Motor cycles.)

Decentralization, supply division, chief surgeon s office, A. E. * siu

Deficiencies *J

Deficiencv appropriations, Mexican border mobilization. _ .-- **

Dental and veterinarv equipment and supplies — 605 05S

Dental department, New York medical supply depot «90

Dental equipment : „_ _

and supplies 5x2

distribution 5™

purchases ™^

for base and evacuation hospitals "1*

Dental outfit: „,„

base — - "0

portable 8 ™

Dental outfits, portable, Mexican border mobilization.-- <Jo

Dental supplies and equipment, camp medical supply service 449

Dental units b11

Depot:

activities, medical supply depots <>,

camp medical supply 411

distributing medical supply, ac*ivities of »59

inspection, medical supply depot 422

Intermediate Medical Supply, No. 2, Gievres, France, activities of 825

motor ambulance supply, Louisville, Ky 697

New York medical supply °59

operation, medical supply depot 417

requisitions, supplies and equipment, camp medical supply service 452

advance, and army parks, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 775

base storage and base section, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. i - 779

for reserve supplies, period of 1900 to 1916 28

hospital center, A. E. F '81

medical supply °Z

new, medical supply {*

port medical supply V?~f.~~ -in

storage and issue, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. 1< _ . 770

Disbursements --- -. — ~"

analysis and record of, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon s office,

A." E. F 819

Disbursing: ,

and purchasing office, A. E. F., Medical Department 7o4

finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 818

supplv division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F "67

Disbursing section, finance department, New York medical supply depot 6 » 2

Discontinuance of finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F. _ 823

INDEX 923

Page

Disinfecting apparatus, portable, Mexican border mobilization 36

Disinfect ors:

other types 577

portable ,5(;7

Disposition of bids received HI

Distributing medical supply depot 659

Distributing, storing, using agencies 67

Distribution:

dental equipment and supplies 623

motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky 704

motor ambulances, camp medical supply service 436

procurement and, of supplies —

promulgations, General Headquarters, A. E. F., concerning 885-904

Revolutionary period 13

procurement and, of veterinary equipment and supplies, plan of 643

sterilizing apparatus 576

veterinary equipment and supplies 647

X-ray apparatus _ 594, 597

Division:

finance and supply, September, 1917, Surgeon General's Office 46

record, correspondence and examining, Surgeon General's Office.- 45

Surgeon General's Office, supply 45

Division surgeon, field equipment 285

Division veterinarian, field equipment 287

Divisional unit equipment, field hospital, ambulance company, and other 263

Donated ambulances _* 407

Dressing packet, individual 322

Dressings:

special surgical, developed during the World War 326

standard surgical, purchased . 329

surgical "___" 317

and sutures 54 j

substitute materials for 550

types of, furnished 541

Editing section, requisition department, New York medical supply depot 683

Electric power, factors affecting production of supplies _* 137

Emergency measures used to obtain supplies 172

Employees, civilian:

medical supply depots 67

motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky 699

New York medical supply depot . 663, 660

Enlisted men, Medical Department, field equipment for ' 240

Enlisted personnel:

Camp medical supply depot 41 5

Motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky 698

New York medical supply depot '_ 664,666

Equipment:

and furniture, hospital 475

and supplies —

dental and veterinary 605

hospital 475

veterinary 629

X-ray "'..'.'."'...'."" 579

camp infirmary 258

combat 251

dental, for base and evacuation hospitals 616

field '.-./.-'_'_'_'_ 235-332

ambulance company 265

division veterinarian 287

evacuation hospital 289

individual 235

litters and litter carriers 303

other divisional units 285

field hospital 263

ambulance company, and other divisional unit 263

initial, of a 1,000-bed base hospital (overseas), cost of 522

list of unit, X-ray 5X3

mess and kitchen 4R0

motor, of an ambulance company 437

924 INDEX

Page

Equipment — Continued. 25

reserve, period of 1900 to 1916 . '

supplies and, camp medical supply service 737

transport unit

unit — oo

period of 1900 to 1916 -- — ■""-«-„—;-¥"*" ann

purchased from private funds, supply division, chief surgeon s office, A. E. * _ 809

Equipment section, storage and issue subdivision, finance and supply division, bur- ^

geon General's Office 85

Estimates and appropriations 764

Europe, procurement in— .- +YV~~ 616

Evacuation and base hospitals, dental equipment for. . oio

Evacuation hospital, field equipment.... •

Mexican border mobilization .

Evolution of the Medical Department supply system ^

period of 1909 to 1916 \\

Revolutionary period ^

Spanish- American War

under the Constitution

Examination. ^ ^ y voucherS) financc and accounting division, chief surgeon's

' ,T- 4 p P O Z J

of "property returns"/ finance" and "accounting division, chief surgeon's office, ^

Excerpts' from Manua"ffor"the Me"dicaTDe"paVtment7Unit"ed" SVates" Army, 1916.. _ 855-864

Factors affecting production of supplies J|»

electric power j 35

fuel 133

labor 13S

raw materials j^g

transportation 47Q

Feather pillows 235-332

Field equipment 2 89

evacuation hospital ----- „ _

for enlisted men, Medical Department «™

for medical officers 235

individual 303

litters and litter carriers --.-. 7 -I" --.-- ORQ

Field hospital, ambulance company, and other divisional unit equipment. jb6

Field inspections, supplies and equipment, camp medical supply service. . 443

Field 'unUsTcrion^ 836

Gievres, France

Fili "and record department, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2, Gievres, ^

exJmlnaUon" "and," of" property "vo"uc"her" s rnnance and accounting division, chief ^

surgeon's office, A. E. F .— r-—'-^ c 17

Finance and accounting, chief surgeon s office, A. &. tf---
Finance and accounting division: ^

Chlef arrafgements C for returning important financial and property papers to the ^

United States S9 q

central hospital fund, Third Army.. °^

discontinuance of <,„„

liaison with bureau of accounts and finance bureau. . |^

personnel g-^j

purpose gj S

preparatory work. — s ! s

scope of organizations _ .

administrative subdivision 4j ,

finance section ----- 64

liaison section 5 g

procurement subdivision.. . „.

production inspection section

property returns section „

records section 4 g

September, 1917 — . 60

storage and issue subdivision „

supply section

INDEX 925

Page

Finance section, Surgeon General's Office 46, 58

Finance bureau and bureau of accounts, liaison with, finance and accounting division,

chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 823

Finance department:

motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky 700

New York medical supply depot 680

Finance divisions and Treasury officials, liaison with, finance and accounting division,

chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 821

Finances, consolidation of 223

Financial reports and statistical data, compilation of, finance and accounting division,

chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 822

First-aid packet 317

First-aid packets for instruction 322

Fire prevention, section of, operations division Intermediate Medical Supply Depot

No. 2, Gievres, France ' 840

Fluoroscope screens 598

Food trucks and containers __ _ 480

Ford:

ambulance —

chassis model, 1918 369

new contracts 369

ambulances __ __ 363

bodv model, 1918 366

model, 1917 303

motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky 701

Forecasts, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 795

Form :

of bid 111

of circular advertisement for bids 109

Forms of contracts 114

French Government:

payments to, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 768

purchases 765

Fuel, factors affecting production of supplies _ _ __ _ 135

Fund:

central hospital —

custodianship of, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office,

A. E. F _ __ 820

Third Army, A. E. F 823

hospital, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 809

Funds:

hospital —

analysis and record of, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's

office, A. E. F 820

traveling auditors of, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office,

A. E. F ' * .' 820

lack of, for purchase of supplies 171

private —

unit ecpjipment purchased from, supplv division, chief surgeon's office, A.

E. F 809

Furniture and equipment, hospital 475

G. M. C. ambulances, motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky 701

Gasoline, oils and greases 385, 441

Gauze bandages, compressed ' 325

Gauze packets 324

General Motors Truck Co., ambulance chassis 343

General purchasing office, Medical Department, purchase of supplies by 168

Greases, oils, and gasoline . 385, 441

Hair mattresses 476

Hair pillows 478

Heaters, ambulance body 355

Horse hair sutures 556

Hospital:

and medical supplies purchased during the period April 6, 1917, to November 11,

1918, quantities of 905-918

base —

overseas, cost of initial equipment of a 1 ,000 bed 522

supplies and equipment 434

926 INDEX

Hospital— Continued. Fag *

evacuation, field equipment 28->

field, ambulance company, and other divisional unit equipment 263

Hospital center depots, A. E. F --- '81

Hospital charges, billing Allies for, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon s

office, A. E. F — 821

Hospital fund:

central — ,

custodianship of, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon s office,

A. E. F_„___ 820

Third Army, A. E. F 823

supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 809

Hospital funds:

analysis and accounting of, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon s

office, A. E. F 820

traveling auditors of, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon s office,

A. E. F 820

Hospital furniture and equipment "Itk 475

Hospital supplies and equipment 476-603

Hospitals, base:

and evacuation, dental equipment for OlO

overseas, supplies and equipment 493

Improvements:

ambulance body »«»

ambulance chassis 338

Individual dressing packet 322

Individual equipment, field 235

Infirmary, camp:

equipment 25»

supplies and equipment 433

Initial allowance, supplies and equipment, camp medical supply service .-. 429

Initial equipment of a 1,000-bed base hospital (overseas), cost of 522

Inspection:

depot, medical supply depot 4<;z

of supplies 195

surgical instruments °33

Inspection department. New York medical supply depot 672, 673

Inspection, field, supplies and equipment, camp medical supply service --- 443

Instruction, first-aid packet for 323

Instrument department, New York medical supply depot 693

Instruments:

dental, production of o*l

surgical 535

Interbureau requisit ions -1 '

Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2, Gievres, France:

administration 825, 836

lntroduct ion - -----: 1 o£j

Invoice department, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2, Gievres, I ranee.. 834

Iron, steel, and their products; factors affecting production of supplies 141

and storage depots, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F ^ 770

of clearance certificate, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office,

A . E. F 821

Issue section:

operations division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2, Gievres, trance. 849
storage and issue subdivision, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's

Office 60

Kitchen and mess equipment 480

Kangaroo tendon sutures 2^?

Labor, factors affecting production of supplies 733

Laboratory division, medical, inspection department, New York medical supply

depot./ 6 ^4

Laboratory supplies, cam]) medical supply service 466

Lack of funds for purchase of supplies 171

Legal reference library, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F_ 822
Lcss-than-carload-lot' section, operations division, Intermediate Medical Supply

Depot No. 2, Gievres, France ; ^ 852

Library, legal reference, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F. 822

INDEX

927

Liaison:

finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F. — Page

with bureau of accounts and finance bureau 823

with finance divisions and Treasury officials . 821

medical supply, with the United States, supplv division, chief surgeon's office,

A. E. F_._: 800

Liaison section, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 64

Li liters and cotton, factors affecting production of supplies 145

List of unit equipment, X-ray 583

Litter, snowshoe trench 307

Litter carrier:

field 309

wheeled 312

Litter carriers 307

litters and 303

Litters:

lower, channels for, ambulance body 354

trolley device for upper, ambulance body 353

with slings 303

Mail and file section, New York medical supplv depot 666

Maintenance and operation, motor ambulances - 440

Manual for the Medical Department, United States Army, 1916, excerpts from 855-864

Materials:

substitute, for surgical dressings 552

to be manufactured —

clearance and priority of 151

clearances 156

handling priorities 154

requirements 160

Mattresses 476

cotton felt 477

hair 476

Mechanics' school, motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky_ 705

Medical and hospital supplies purchased during the period April 6, 1917, to November

11, 1918, quantities of 905-918

Medical Department:

general purchasing office, purchase of supplies by 168

purchasing and disbursing office, A. E. F 764

supply system , evolution of the . 11

Medical officers, field equipment for 237

Medical property department, Intermediate Medical Supplv Depot No. 2, Gievres,

France S29

Medical supply depot:

accountability 426

camp 411

depot inspection 422

depot operation 417

distributing, activities of 659

New York 659

No. 2, Gievres, France, activities of 825

Medical supply depots 67

depot activities 69

in existence when we entered the World War 67

new depots 72

personnel 67

commissioned " 67

port 713

Medical supplv liaison with the United States, supplv division, chief surgeon's office,

A. E. F___I 800

Medical supply officers, camp medical supply depot 411

Medical supply service, cam]) 411

Medical supplies, American Expeditionary Forces 747-852

Mess and kitchen equipment 480

Messengers, New York medical supply depot 609

Metals, nonferrous, factors affecting production of supplies 1-12

Methods control section, New York medical supply depot 667

Mexican border mobilization:

deficiency appropriations 34

evolution of Medical Department Supply system 29

manner of procuring supplies 38

928 INDEX

Mexican border mobilization — Continued.

motor ambulances „ 7

portable disinfecting apparatus ;? '

ward unit _ S o

Mobile outfits, X-ray °°°

Mobile veterinary section, field equipment _____ --— «»'

Mobilization, Mexican border, evolution of Medical Department Supply system.. _ ^

Model :

Ford ambulance — „ fifi

bodv, 1918 %Z°

chassis, 1918 £>=

1917 6M

Model AA: „ 5 a

ambulance body jj . „

chassis „- 1

Model B ambulance body _„-__. -- — --. ----

Modification, in 1918, of organization for administering supply matters, burgeon <_.en-

eral's Office - - - - „„„

Motor ambulance subdivision, Surgeon Generals Office °g°

Motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky »» /

distribution.

704
700

finance department ' ",

mechanics' school ' „

personnel _ ftf)

purchasing and miscellaneous departments ' uu

Motor ambulances: .„ fi

camp medical supply service jV?

gasoline, oils, and greases **^

Mexican border mobilization °?

operation and maintenance **"

spare parts „__

M otor cycles '..,

supplies and equipment Jji

Motor equipment of an ambulance company 5aa_iiin

Motor vehicles M6 ""

consolidation of procurement J""

overseas shipments |22

spare parts, supplies |£jj

supplies 7 o

New depots, medical supply depots - '

Newport News, Va., post medical supply depot < 1 '

New York medical supply depot 9°°

administrative department °°g

civilian employees „„„

enlisted personnel 5x2

mail and file section °°°

organization «„-

administrative department °™

dental department j?g"

final acn

fi nance department °°"

inspection department 5' £

instrument department 22?

production department J*

purchasing department.. ° „

requisition department- _ _ °™

warehousing department gg°

X-ray department 663

personnel 7 io

New York, post medical supply depot £*g

organization yjc

personnel - - ,<<,

Nonferrous metals, factors affecting production of supplies *j"

Nonstandard outfits, sterilizing 12 7

Numbering contracts no-
Officers, medical, field equipment for „j

Oils, greases, and gasoline ' ° ' 3g4

Openings, side and front, ambulance body ^ 65

Open-market purchases. A. E. F

INDEX 929

Operation: Page

and maintenance, motor ambulances 440

depot, medical supply depot 417

Operations division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2, Gievres, France^" ~" 836

Ordnance and Quartermaster supplies, combat equipment ._ _ 261

Organization:

and activities of the supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 747

for administering supply matters 45-65

in the Surgeon General's office 45 54

storing and distributing agencies; using agencies ' (57

general plan of operations division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2

Gievres, France 337

New York medical supply depot 664

New York port medical supply depot IIIII 715

final 1 " 66 5

Outfits:

base, dental 6 10, 6 22

mobile, X-ray 5g3

nonstandard, sterilizing gg7

portable —

dental 6 05

JV-ray 5$0 593

Overseas base hospitals, supplies and equipment IIIIIII. ' 493

Overseas requirements section, storage and issue subdivisions, finance and supply

division, Surgeon General's Office 63

Overseas shipments, motor vehicles 395

Overseas transportation of supplies, activities connected with the I ' 71.3

Packet:

first-aid 3^7

individual dressing " 322

Packets:

first-aid, for instruction 323

gauze 324

Packing section, warehousing department, New York medical supply depot 688

Panama Canal section, requisition department, New York medical supply depot- 686
Papers, important financial and property, arrangements for returning to the United

States £23

Parts, army, and advance depots, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. K 775
Parts, spare. (Sec Spare parts.)
Payments :

to French Government, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 768

to private individuals and firms, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 768
Period:

of 1900 to 1916 —

depots for reserve supplies 28

evolution of the Medical Department supply system """ 22

reserve equipment "_ _ ^ 25

unit equipment 22

war-time procurement plans 26

revolutionary, evolution of the Medical Department supply system I~ 11
Personnel :

camp medical supply depot 411

civilian, analysis and record of accounts of, finance and accounting division

chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 820

civilian employees, motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Kv__ 699

commissioned, motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky 698

enlisted medical supply depot ' '_ 425

motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky '.S.'SSS.'S. 698

finance and accounting division, A. E. F " gl7

medical supply depots —

civilian employees 67

commissioned 67

motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky ".'.'". 698

New York medical supply depot 663 664

New York port medical supply depot ' 715

supply division, chief surgeon's office 751

30663°— 28 59

930 INDEX

Page
Personnel section, administrative subdivision, finance and supply division, Surgeon

General's Office 55

Personnel section, New York medical supply depot 666

Pillows --- 478

feather 479

hair 47S

Plan of procurement and distribution, veterinary equipment and supplies 643
Plans:

early, for purchases of supplies 169

war-time procurement, period of 1900 to 1916 26

Plant protection section, New York medical supply depot 667

Port medical supply depots 713

New York—.- 713

Newport News, Va 719

other ports 724

Portable dental outfit 605

Mexican Iwrder mobilization 35

Portable disinfecting apparatus, Mexican border mobilization 36

Portable disinfectors 567

Portable outfits, X-ray 580,593

Preferential treatment, clearance and priority of materials to be manufactured 154

Preparatory work, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 818

Priorities, handling, materials to be manufactured 154

Priority and clearance of materials to lie manufactured 151

Procurement 85-233

and distribution of supplies —

promulgations, General Headquarters, A. E. F 885-904

Revolutionary period 13

and distribution of veterinary equipment and supplies, plan of 643

consolidation of 207

of, motor vehicles 391

supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 752

from the United States 752

in Europe 764

Procurement plans, war-time, period of 1900 to 1916 26

Procurement subdivision, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 56, 57, 58

Production:

ambulance chassis 345

of dental instruments 621

Production department, New York medical supply depot 671

Production inspection section, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office. _ 65
Promulgations, General Headquarters, A. E. F., concerning procurement and distri-
bution of supplies 885-904

Property:

accounting division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2, Gievres, France. 826
accounts section, storage and issue subdivision, finance and supply division,

Surgeon General's Office 63

returns, examination of, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office,

A. E. F 822

returns section, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 50

section, warehousing department, New York medical supply depot 690

vouchers, examination and filing, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's

office, A. E. F 822

Purchase of supplies 165

by supply depots 165

by the Medical Department general purchasing office 168

surgical instruments 532

Purchases:

dental equipment and supplies 622

French Government 765

in 1918, surgical dressings and sutures 544

in 1917, surgical dressings and sutures 542

of supplies —

during 191S 1 77

early in 1917 174

plans for 169

INDEX 931

Purchases — Continued. Paee

open-market, A. E. F 765

vouchering, procurement subdivision, finance and supply division, Surgeon

General's Office 60

X-ray apparatus 592

Purchasing:

and disbursing office, A. E. F., Medical Department 764

and miscellaneous departments, motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky_ . 700

Medical Department, A. E. F __„ 764

Purchasing department, New York medical supply depot 669

Purchasing office, general, Medical Department, purchase of supplies by 168

Purpose, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 817

Quantities of medical and hospital supplies purchased during t he period April 6, 1917,

to November 11, 1918 905-918

Quartermaster:

and Ordnance supplies, combat equipment 261

Engineer, and Ordnance department, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2,

Gievres, France 833

Raw materials, factors affecting production of supplies 138

Receiving and shipping departments, New York medical supply depot 717

Receiving department, operations division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2,

Gievres, France 838

Receiving section, warehousing department, New York medical supply depot 087

Record, correspondence and examining division, Surgeon General's Office 45

Records department, New York port medical supply depot 715

Records section, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's office 53, 55

Red Cross, relation of the supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., to the 802

Regulating department, operations division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot

No. 2, Gievres, France *_ 1 841

Regulations, shipping 729

Relation of the supply division, chief surgeons office, A. E. F., to the Red Cross 802

Relationships, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F., with other services of

the Medical Department 807

Replenishment supplies, dental 623

Replenishments, combat equipment 261

Requirements 99

Materials to be manufactured 160

Requisition department, New York medical supply depot 6S3

Requisitions :

depot, supplies and equipment, camp medical supply service 452

interbureau 217

supplies and equipment, camp medical supply service 452

unit, supplies and equipment, camp medical supply service 456

Requisitions department, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2, Gievres, France. 827

Reserve equipment, period of 1900 to 1916 25

Reserve supplies, depots for, period of 1900 to 1910 28

Return section, medical property division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2,

Gievres, France 83 1

Returns, property, examination of, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's

office, A. E. F 822

Review:

boards of, contracts 127

contract 126

Revolutionary period, evolution of the Medical Department supply system 11

School, mechanics', motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky__ 705

Scope of organization, finance and accounting division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 818

Screens, fluoroseopi c 598

Section:

finance, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 46

liaison, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 64

production inspection, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 65

property returns, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 50

records, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 53

supply, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 53

Service section, requisition department, New York medical supply depot 685

Shipping:

and receiving departments, New York port medical supply depot 717

supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 766

Shipping regulations _• 729

Shipping section, warehousing department, New York medical supply depot 689

932 INDEX

Shipments: ag *

factory, of boxed chassis j>*°

overseas, motor vehicles -J;'

to France, dental equipment and supplies o^4

Shortage of ambulances, 1918 "99

Silk sutures 5o /

Silkworm gut sutures 557

Slippers 482

Smallpox vaccine, camp medical supply service «>o

Snowshoe trench litter - - — - 307

Sorting section, operations division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2,

Gievres, France *™9

Spanish-American war, evolution of the Medical Department supply system 19

Spareparts: 380

motor ambulances 439

sterilizing apparatus "76

supplies _ 379

t railer >>° u

motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky JVo

Special supplies, camp medical supply service --- 465

Spectacles, camp medical supply service 469

Standard surgical dressings sterilizer 563

Stationarv apparatus, X-ray — .-.--.-. — "™

Statistical data and financial reports, compilation of, finance and accounting division,

chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 822

Statistical section: ,,...„ „ ,, „

procurement subdivision, finance and supply division, Surgeon General s office.. _ 57

supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 797

Steel, iron", and their products, factors affecting production of supplies 141

Sterilizers:

nonstandard outfits 5°7

standard surgical dressings 563

Sterilizing apparatus 563

distribution 576

spare parts °' u

Stock record section:

medical property division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2, Gievres,

France £29

requisition department, New York medical supply depot 685

Storage:

and issue — .

depots, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E, D-. ._. - 770

subdivision, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 60

consolidation of 75

pending distribution, ambulance chassis 345

Stores, controlled, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F_. 781

Storing and distributing agencies; using agencies 67

Subdivision: . .

administrative, finance and supply division, Surgeon General s Office 55

motor ambulance, Surgeon General's Office 333

procurement, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 56

storage and issue, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 60

Substitute materials for surgical dressings 552

Summary of appropriations 91

Supplies:

activities connected with the overseas transportation ot 1 13

and equipment — camp medical supply service - 429, 452

dental and veterinary 605

hospital 475

veterinary "29

X-ray 579

dental, replenishment 623

early purchases in 1917 . 174

emergency measures used to obtain 172

factors affecting production of 133

inspection of 1«°

late purchases in 1917 175

laboratory camp medical supply service 465

manner of procuring, Mexican border mobilization 38

INDEX 933

Supplies — Continued. Pa s e

medical — American Expeditionary P'orces 747

and hospital, purchased during the period April 6, 1917, to November 11,

1918, quantities of 905-918

motor vehicles 385

procurement and distribution of, Revolutionary period 13

purchase of 1G5

purchases during 1918 177

Quartermaster and Ordnance, combat equipment 2(51

reserve, depots for, period of 1900 to 1916 28

sent to the American Expeditionary Forces, termination of accountability for 743

spare parts, motor vehicles 379

special, camp medical supply service 465

Supply, automatic, A. E. F | 754

Supply depot:

camp medical 411

distributing medical, activities of 659

Intermediate Medical, No. 2, Gievres, France, activities of 825

motor ambulance, Louisville, Ky 697

New York medical 659

Supply depots:

medical 67

port medical 713

purchase of supplies by 165

Supply division:

chief surgeon's office, A. E, F. —

medical supply liaison with the United States 800

miscellaneous activities 808

organization and activities of 747

personnel 751

procurement 752

relation of, to the Red Cross 802

relationships with other services of the Medical Department 807

statistical section 797

storage and issue depots 770

Surgeon General's office 45

Supply Letters Nos. 1 to 29, inclusive, Medical Department, United States Army. 864-885
Supply liaison, medical, with the United States, supply division, chief surgeon's office,

A. E. F 800

Supply matters, organization for administering 45-65

Supply officers, medical, camp medical supply depot 411

Supply section, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office 53

Supply service, cam)) medical 411

Supply system, Medical Department:

evolution of the_ II

Mexican border mobilization 29

period of 1900 to 1916 22

Revolutionary period 11

Spanish- American war li)

under the Constitution 15

Supply table, veterinary, development of 632

Surgeon, division, field equipment 285

Surgeon General's Office:

motor ambulance subdivision 333

organization for administering supply matters in the 45

Surgical dressings 317

and sutures 541

purchases in 1918 544

purchases in 1917 542

special, developed during the World War 326

standard, purchased 329

sterilizer, standard _ 563

substitute materials for 552

Surgical instruments 535

inspection 533

purchase 532

Sutures 553

catgut 554

horsehair 556

kangaroo tendon 556

934 INDEX

Sutures — Continued. Pa s e

silk 557

silkworm gut 557

surgical dressings and 541

Tabulation section, storage and issue subdivision, finance and supply division, Sur-
geon General's Office 62

Termination of accountability for supplies sent to the American Expeditionary Forces- 743

Third Army, central hospital fund, A. E. F 823

Traffic section, warehousing department, New York medical supply depot 689

Trailer, spare parts 380

motor ambulance supply depot, Louisville, Ky 703

Transfers of appropriations 91

Transport unit equipment 737

Transportation:

factors affecting production of supplies 138

overseas, of supplies, activities connected with the 713

Transportation section:

depot, operations division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2, Gievres,

France 841

storage and issuesubdivision, finance and supply division, Surgeon General's Office. 62
Treasury officials and finance divisions, liaison with, finance and accounting division,

chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 821

Trench litter, snowshoe 307

Trolley device for upper litters, ambulance body 353

Tubes, X-ray 593

Trucks and containers, food 480

Typhoid-paratvphoid vaccine, camp medical supply service.. 468

Unit:

ambulance assembly 401

bedside, X-ray 582

supplies and equipment camp medical supply service 430

ward, Mexican border mobilization 36

Unit equipment:

purchased from private funds, supply division, chief surgeon s office, A. E. F 809

transport 737

X-rav, list of 583

Unit requisitions, supplies and equipment, camp medical supply service 456

United States:

medical supply liaison with, supply division, chief surgeon s office, A. E. I' 800

procurement from, supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. F 752

Units:

dental oil

other divisional, field equipment 285

Using:

agencies ---- "£

storing and distributing agencies 67

Utilities section, New York medical supply depot 668

Vaccine: .

smallpox, camp medical supply service 4oo

typhoid-paratyphoid, camp medical supply service 468

Vehicles, motor 333

consolidation of procurement 391

Veterinarian, division, field equipment 287

Veterinary ambulances 652

Veterinary and dental equipment and supplies 605

Veterinary biologicals 654

Veterinary equipment and supplies 62J

plan of procurement and distribution 643

Veterinary section, mobile, field equipment 287

Veterinary supplies and equipment, camp medical supply service 450

Veterinarv supply table, development --_- _ 632

Voucher section, medical property division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot

No. 2, Gievres, France — 831

Vouchering purchases, procurement subdivision, finance and supply division, Surgeon

General's Office 60

V onclicrs .

property, examination and filing of, finance and accounting division, chief sur-
geon's office, A. E. F 822

supply division, chief surgeon's office, A. E. I »U»

INDEX 935

Page

Ward unit, Mexican border mobilization 36

Warehouse group section, operations division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot

No. 2, Gievres, France . 846

Warehouses, layout of, operations division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2,

Gievres, France . 836

Warehousing department:

New York medical supply depot 686

operations division, Intermediate Medical Supply Depot No. 2, Gievres, France.. 839

Warehousing section, New York medical supply depot 688

War-time procurement plans, period of 1900 to 1916 26

Web belts, for enlisted men, Medical Department 242

Wheeled litter carrier 312

Wool, factors affecting production of supplies 144

X-ray:

apparatus, purchases 592

department, New York medical supply depot 692

equipment and supplies 579

portable outfits 580

tubes " -966-

o